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> Googler, opinions are my own. Honest question here, why do people put this in their response? I don't think there is any chance that one might thing "kyrra"

> Googler, opinions are my own. Honest question here, why do people put this in their response? I don't think there is any chance that one might thing "kyrra" is speaking on behalf of Google.

jamie_ca 5y ago
It's less a disclaimer of being an official response, I think, and more a case of pointing out a potential bias.
JohnFen 5y ago
I like it when people disclose that they have a deeper connection to a company being discussed than most people. It's fair disclosure, especially because it indicates where their biases may lie (and we all have biases). But once someone says "I work for X", they must also say that they're not representing the company. Companies get a bit upset if their employees appear to be representing company positions without authorization, even if no reasonable person would thing they were.
thethethethe 5y ago
Google requires this disclaimer when you talk about the company publicly, probably for legal reasons Source: I work at Google Disclaimer: Googler, opinions are my own.
- deckard1 5y ago
  wonder how well this really works. Some comments I see (not speaking of this thread per se, but in general on HN) are really close to conveying internal company information. Which is beyond mere opinion and only available to someone inside the company. Some people clearly use the disclaimer to elevate their "opinion" to the level of authority.
  - wutbrodo 5y ago
    It's not about access to information. It's about removing the possibility of being confused for a spokesperson of Google's. This is in contrast to comments you see here like "hi, Ben Foobar from [company being discussed] here", where the company is being formally represented and communicating with HN. Naturally Google doesn't engage this way on HN, but the disclaimer is written out of habit and an abundance of caution.
- shapefrog 5y ago
  Perfectly sensible policy and I for one appreciate insiders clarifying misinformation especially on such issues, while still notifiying their potential conflicts. Disclaimer: I am not a googler, opinions are what google tells me to think.
micromacrofoot 5y ago
ironically it achieves the opposite, when someone declares themselves a Googler I assume they're biased (you are, uncontrollably) and disregard it it's not a legal requirement, I mean maybe they say it is, but it's bogus... on a deeper level, I honestly think it's an unintentional brag... if I mention my notable employer it scratches a little itch if you really want to put on a tinfoil hat, they're one of the world's largest advertisers and are pleased as peach if their employees just walk around telling everyone they meet that they work at google
crikeym8 5y ago
The term "Googler" I find a bit cringey. You can just call yourself a Google employee.

> Googler, opinions are my own. Honest question here, why do people put this in their response? I don't think there is any chance that one might thing "kyrra" is speaking on behalf of Google.

jamie_ca 5y ago

It's less a disclaimer of being an official response, I think, and more a case of pointing out a potential bias.

JohnFen 5y ago

I like it when people disclose that they have a deeper connection to a company being discussed than most people. It's fair disclosure, especially because it indicates where their biases may lie (and we all have biases). But once someone says "I work for X", they must also say that they're not representing the company. Companies get a bit upset if their employees appear to be representing company positions without authorization, even if no reasonable person would thing they were.

thethethethe 5y ago

Google requires this disclaimer when you talk about the company publicly, probably for legal reasons Source: I work at Google Disclaimer: Googler, opinions are my own.

deckard1 5y ago
wonder how well this really works. Some comments I see (not speaking of this thread per se, but in general on HN) are really close to conveying internal company information. Which is beyond mere opinion and only available to someone inside the company. Some people clearly use the disclaimer to elevate their "opinion" to the level of authority.
- wutbrodo 5y ago
  It's not about access to information. It's about removing the possibility of being confused for a spokesperson of Google's. This is in contrast to comments you see here like "hi, Ben Foobar from [company being discussed] here", where the company is being formally represented and communicating with HN. Naturally Google doesn't engage this way on HN, but the disclaimer is written out of habit and an abundance of caution.
shapefrog 5y ago
Perfectly sensible policy and I for one appreciate insiders clarifying misinformation especially on such issues, while still notifiying their potential conflicts. Disclaimer: I am not a googler, opinions are what google tells me to think.

micromacrofoot 5y ago

ironically it achieves the opposite, when someone declares themselves a Googler I assume they're biased (you are, uncontrollably) and disregard it it's not a legal requirement, I mean maybe they say it is, but it's bogus... on a deeper level, I honestly think it's an unintentional brag... if I mention my notable employer it scratches a little itch if you really want to put on a tinfoil hat, they're one of the world's largest advertisers and are pleased as peach if their employees just walk around telling everyone they meet that they work at google

crikeym8 5y ago

The term "Googler" I find a bit cringey. You can just call yourself a Google employee.