Is Google Ruining Itself?

We all use Google to search the Web, but recently during my research for a new project I have seen an alarming trend. Some of the search results are worthless because of Google Ads. When I searched for "Mesquite, NV and camping" the results were horrible. The top listed entry had a huge Google Ad in the top center of the page. When I scrolled past the ads, the rest of the page was blank! Really helpful.

The second entry was even worse. In the center of the page were Ebay listings for various items, none related to camping. Why don't these web sites try and sell a quality product or information, instead of placing misleading Google Ads? Don't get me wrong I like Google and still only use their search engine. I would hate to see them go the way of Microsoft.

Again, HikingLasVegas.com does not have Google Ads. All the information on my site is on my site. When you click on a link, you are going to a page that you expect to go to with the information you want. I find it funny that other websites claim to be the source of hiking information for southern Nevada. They don't even come close. I have found, documented and led more hikers to peaks than all the other websites combined. Oh, I was NEVER a ranger and I don't look like a 65 year old, homeless, meth head. Ouch!

My Favorite Short Hikes in Red Rock Canyon

So you only have a few hours and you want to go for a hike. We all know driving the Scenic Loop at Red Rock Canyon takes time, so instead do a hike out of Calico Basin. This will cut the driving time by 75%.
Here are my favorite hikes out of Calico Basin area: (Calico Basin is two miles before the turnoff to Red Rock Canyon)


Kraft Mountain - Up and Down the Backside (2 - 3 hours)
Kraft Mountain Loop - (2 hours)
Turtlehead Jr - Double Slot Route (3 hours)
Calico Tank - Red and White Route (2.5 hours)

All of these are fun scrambling hikes. The Double Slot route to Turtlehead Jr is one of my favorite hikes in Red Rock! Of course, all of these routes can be found in the Members Only section of my web site.

Did you know Google Ads are at best confusing and can be dangerous. Many web site owners place Google Ads in such a way to make you think they are part of the web site. When you click, you are taken to another web site. But it gets worse. Criminals are signing up for Google Ads. When you click on their ads, your computer will get infected or your personal information might be stolen.
Guess what web site does not have Google Ads? Yes, www.hikinglasvegas.com. NO confusing ads and safe.
To be fair Google is working on the problem, but it will be sometime before they can eliminate the unsafe ads.

Fast, Easy, and Safe

Hiking Las Vegas.com, my web site, might be the only site on the web that does not have Google Ads. And this is a good thing. How many times have you visited a web site and accidentally clicked on a Google Ad by mistake? Many site owners disguise ads for this very purpose. They get paid for everyone who clicks on an ad.

But it gets worse. Criminals sign up for Google Ads under false pretenses. Now if you click on one of these ads, you will be in trouble! Your computer could be infected with spyware, rootkits and keyloggers all things you do not want. Since I don't have Google Ads, you do not have to worry about these things.

And how about downloads? How many times have you tried to download a program etc. only to be redirected to another page and another page? It gets very frustrating, but not at Hiking Las Vegas. When members want to download any of 351 hikes, they just click on the link. That's it. Simple, fast and easy. Don't you wish all web sites did this?

And if you are a member you would know where to buy women's Five Tens rock scrambling shoes for only $62.62.