Google reckons open systems win

Google has published an internal memo to prove the company's belief in openness.

The post on its Public Policy blog by senior vice president of product management Jonathan Rosenberg said that there was a need for Google to come out with a definition of what it considers to be open and he invited debate around the issue.

Rosenburg believes Google is open both in technology and information, for example, using open source technology and being transparent to its users.

"If we can embody a consistent commitment to open which I believe we can then we have a big opportunity to lead by example and encourage other companies and industries to adopt the same commitment," he said.

"If they do, the world will be a better place."

However, even with these claims, Google keeps a lot of its own algorithms such as its search and ad codes behind tightly closed doors.

Rosenberg defended the move not to open up this area saying it "would actually hurt users" as people would be able to manipulate rankings for their own gains.