Reid, a very helpful and respected Google Webmaster Trends Analysts in the Google Search Quality team has announced in a Google Webmasters Help thread that he is moving to the paid search division at Google. Let me quote you his words:
I wanted to let you know that I've made the decision to move into a new role within Google, in the realm of paid search, which means I will no longer be monitoring the forum in an official capacity. I'm sad to be leaving, but know that there's plenty of webmasters, Bionic Posters, and Googlers in the forum to keep the conversation going. I've particularly enjoyed seeing countless webmasters jump in to help out one another, whether it be in regards to how their site is ranking or a gentle (or not so gentle!) reminder to check out the posting guidelines. You've been our most vocal and truthful critics, which has helped us understand how we can make Google and Webmaster Tools better. And in the past few months, it has been a pleasure seeing BbDeath, Beussery, Chibcha and Luzie skyrocket into Bionic Posters. So, I'll miss you all! I hope to occasionally pop-in from time to time when I get a chance. Thank you again! :)
I personally have never heard of a Googler in the Search Quality team moving from organic search to paid search. To me, it seems a bit of a conflict of interest for someone with as much knowledge as someone in the search quality team to be on the paid side. But honestly, I do not know what part of the paid side he is joining? Will it be customer support or more on the side of paid search quality? There may be a ton of synergies between proving quality organic results and quality paid results.
In any event, Reid will be deeply missed in the Webmaster help forums.
Forum discussion at Google Webmasters Help.
