Google Search: affiliate click fraud software 135

Ok, now I get it! When I use BlogThis!, it grabs the URL from the browser and puts a link in...cool!

Well, I just downloaded CaCa and I'm not sure if I'm going to even fire it up. It's software that you can buy for $100 and it can do automated clicks on your affilate links by going through proxy servers that mask your own IP address. You can set it up to click at certain times and rates and generally be almost impossible to discover.

Those using PPC accounts need to know that this is out there and be watchful that you are not getting ripped off!!

(hristian

New search engine optimization projects in the works, including one with a dynamic site. I like those. Not a lot of people are doing much with them and that's a shame. There are not that hard to optimize and it makes a big difference.

You can also optimize at different levels, depending on your budget and goals.

Well, no signs of much improvement from the optimizaton and submission of this, my Blog... I wonder if the archives count as additional pages...? Maybe I should see if I can optimize those as well. Also, creating a Blap might help... I should look into that also. Still no takers on our service offering for optimizing Blogs. I guess I'd rather wait and see how my efforts work on my own site...

(hristian

I just got a newsletter with this "news flash":

-- Top 100 New Zealand Company Web Sites Invisible to Search Engines
Report finds Top 100 NZ company websites are a waste of money. Respected search optimisation company Web Rank has today launched a study on the search engine compatibility of the websites of the country's leading organisations
http://www.webrank.biz/Top100NZ.htm#NewZealandTop100Companies

Gee, I went to Google and found the first one right away. I'm not sure where they get off with charging for a report that seems, for one thing, very inflamitory, and not very accurate, and two, contains no information how the actual traffic that the site is getting.

Is it any secret that 9 out of every ten sites are have little or no optimization? No. Is being covered up that most sites have design flaws? No. So what is the big deal, and why would anyone pay that kind of money for a report about what is already common knowledge? No idea.

And the thing that REALLY bothers me is that it seems very subjective and one sided. Is there any information about how much traffic these sites are actually getting? Not that I can see. Maybe they are happy with what they are getting now from the fact that they are all big companies and maybe theyare using email, print media, TV, or radio advertising.

Would SEO and site submissions help? Oh, for sure. No doubt about it. But to release a fancy report that seems to show that all these companies are "wasting" their money is silly and just playing on people's fears.

I'm very disappointed....tisk-tisk-tisk...

(hristian

The US Federal Do not call list and for us, the Minnesota Do not call list laws or programs are not working.

I don't care if they are a charity, they want something from me and are interrupting my life to solicit me for it. I don't care if some organization or company says they are "not selling anything". Then what are they doing. just calling to chat? No, they want me to do something, try something, receive something, win something, evaluate something, consider something, etc, etc, etc.

"But what if I could save you money on your mortgage payments?", one guy asked me.

So I said, "sure, that's great if you're doing it for free".

"But what would I do that?", he said.

"Exactly," I said. "You want me to buy something so you get paid. You're selling a new less-expensive mortgage. You're calling me up to sell me something, and that is against the laws of the US and Minnesota Do not call laws. Can I please have your name, company name, address, and phone number?"

"Click..."

It's not enough. I want these calls to stop. Not just for me, but for all those that have a hard time saying "no", "good-bye", and "Please take me off your list". Too many people get pressured into things they really do not want.

Why should "I" have to ask to be taken off someone's list? I never asked to be put on!

Am I going to have to keep taking these calls and ask to be taken off forever?

What about those that sell my number to someone else?

"This one's a loser/DNC, but hey, we can make a few bucks selling to xyz company! Maybe they will have better luck..."

So for now, I'm going to get nasty. I'm fed up with feeling sorry for those that have the job of calling me. Let them find another job. If telemarketing turns into one of the worst jobs there is to have, we can kill this thing off. Maybe then we will see marking companies paying the people that that are providing the real value, those that make the purchases. Us!!!

Attention telemarketing companies: You can call me anytime you want and I will listen to your call, just pay me one dollar.

For two dollars, I will give your offer serious thought and really consider it. Here is my PayPal account email address. After the money has been deposited, I will accept your call.

For an extra $1.25 you can also talk to my wife.

Maybe I should start a business, people can route their calls to a phone bank and they will screen the calls. Mr. Jones IS thinking about getting new siding, so he gets the calls from siding companies, but he just had his driveway seal-coated, so it's another year before those calls some through again.

Please help to turn this thing around! We are not sheep; well, not really. We have the power to make or break companies, products, brands, but we do not make use of that power. We need to be united and realize that the companies need us, we don't need them.

I just want some damn respect and to be paid for this thing that I possess that has value, my attention.

(hristian

________________________________________________
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WITH THE NATIONAL DO NOT CALL REGISTRY
http://www.donotcall.gov/Register/Reg.aspx
________________________________________________

I'm starting to read about Google advertisers not being happy with click results. Some are saying the conversion rates are not good. As more sites sign up for Google AdSense advertising it only follows that there will be more attempts at fraud. But I think only th stupid will do this, as they try all the other scams. Google is NOT stupid and I'm sure already has many systems in place to check for click fraud.

One thing that would help is to get the bids down, or remove the bids completely. Go to a flat-rate rotation, but maybe keep the CTR tracking and boost the good ads. But that could lend itself to fraud also.... still, I think it would help quite a bit.

Got an email from a search engine marketing company today. I think it was because I had downloaded a file and had to register first. The thing that had my puzzled was why a SEM sales director would send me what looks like a form letter?

Hi Christian,

Just wanted to see if there's a good time to chat about your search engine marketing campaign.

Our clients save 30-35% of their search budgets by using our software solution and services -- while increasing their online sales. Our software has the power to perform day-parting tactics -- putting you in the right position by time of day or day of week.

best,
[name withheld]

This person makes a number of assumptions, like using my firstname. On the initial contact, I generally don't do that anymore. It may seem a little "stuffy", but that won't put off a prospect, but initial informality may, especialy with what follows... and that is that I don't HAVE a "search engine marketing campaign". I don't even like them, even though I do them for a few clients.

This does not sound like the person is aware that they are talking to a 51 year old, Internet consultant that specializes in SEO, and has about 4 years experience in the field that is sitting on top of a 16 year history with personal computers.

A five minute visit to our web site www.NielsenTech.com would have given this person a few clues in this area, and they could have approached me in a more professional manner.

Then there is the "sell line". Sounds good, or it would if I had a SEM campaign to save money on. And "Day-parting"... I think I've heard of this concept. It involves the fact that there are daily cycles to Internet usage. 8-5 there is surfing from the office and that has some limitations. Then in the evening the kids are on the computer, then at about 9-11pm the parents log on and you can start to sell some stuff. I don't know too much about the whole thing, but I'm not sure I understand the benefit. It sounds like a solution that is looking for a problem.

Ok, enough for now.

If you think I should have a newsletter, send a message to sales@nielsentech.com and tell me why and what kind of format you would like, rantings, news, discussions, ask me a question and I answer, etc..

(hristian

I have to comment on the latest newsletter by the new person over at JimWorld. I was so put off by the ranting that I had to un-subscribe. The guy was complaining about how those that share flies are hurting the record companies and now there's a program called CACA that acts like a surfer and clicks on PPC listings that you set up under your account.... Well, welcome to the real world!

Now that people are starting to realize what a SCAM GOLD MINE the PPC affiliate programs are, thousands are are going to jump on the wagon. In fact, we have decided to try and make a few bucks with some specialized search sites and I'll let you know when we put those in place (of course...!) so you can check them out. But we will not be driving or clicking (You click mine and I'll click yours...) to just get the PPC money. We'll use our skills to optimize and submit the site and do it the right way, because we know we can.

I think we are just starting to see the tip of the PPC click-fraud iceberg, and as more people are tempted to get in on the "easy money" (think spam to drive clicks, and other methods...), it may make any company that has sunk big money into a bloated purchase of a large PPC company take on water and go down quickly...! Ok, for those of you that still don't get it, I'm talking about the Yahoo purchase of Overture. I guess they were tempted but the money, but Overture's getting out at the peak, and Yahoo may not survive this mis-step. The problem is a lack of focus and not caring about the customer. Submit to Yahoo's paid listing service for $299? For what? Most people don't want to dig into a bloated directory, they want results now, so they use the search box, and guess where those results mostly come from? Yup, the big Googler.

Google seems to know that it's pure search results are it's biggest asset. Google has integrity, but it hasn't let that get in the way of making some good money. But if you don't know about AdWords, you should, because it's THE model to follow for paid pseudo-search results. The ads are an ADD-ON to the search results, and NOT the search results themselves. And if the ads are well-written, and the keywords well-targeted, and the ad gets some clicks, then that is factored into the bidding process and guess what? A better ad can place HIGHER WITH A SMALLER BID!!! Encouraging quality and relevancy? What a strange idea?

I just heard about Microsoft's code name Yukon search engine. Does the name do for you what it does for me? I get a strong image of the Gold Rush. So I think that is what it means to MS. Will they ever get it right? Maybe, but I think it will take them a while. But my god, how much income and market share is going to be ENOUGH for them...?!!?

I'm still waiting for them to come out with their version of Linux. I thought Apple's move with X (BSD) would be followed by MS pretty quickly, but either they are being pig-headed about it, or they have something up their sleeve what is yet to be seen. The tricks they have already tried with FUD have not worked, and I'll bet they were puzzled about that being so in-effective.

Oh, this felt good.

Most of you are familiar with Bruce Clay's web site and one of his claims to fame, the chart of search engines that he put together quite a while ago that shows the relationship between search engines and directories.



Click on image to download the chart

The chart was great for those that work better with visual image information rather than just a list or word chart of the different systems. But I see the chart is getting a little old now, with the most recent version being dated 12/1/02, if I read the date correctly.

Well, move over Bruce, there's a new kid on the block, and his name is Kevin Lee of www.did-it.com.



Click on image to to go to the site and register to download the chart

Kevin is well respected in the industry and contributes quite a bit to www.ClickZ.com and I've been impressed by some of what he has written. As far as his search engine chart goes, it's ok. I was really used to Bruce Clay's version and at first I really didn't like Kevin's chart at all. However, knowing that when you get into your 50's you get a little set in your ways, I forced myself to spend a little more time with it and found that it's not all that bad. I still prefer the more open style of Bruce's chart, and I like the arrows that help you to understand which system is feeding which.

But my main disappointment is that Kevin's chart is focused on paid systems. I'm not a big fan of paid advertising systems, only because so much of the public is not aware of what they are or even that they "search" results are from those that can bid the highest and not those that provide the best products, services, or information.

I was pretty amused that yahoo bought Overture. Yahoo does not seem to have noticed that the public is starting to catch on what Overture and systems like it are NOT a "search engine", but an "advertising engine". Hey, I think I just coined a phrase. I guess they are even more out of touch these days, then when they started their policy of charging rather large fees and NOT giving a refund if the listing was rejected. I will never forgive NSI (Network Solutions, arrogant domain registrar) and I am not likely to forgive Yahoo. This industry can do without the attitudes, please! So anyway, Yahoo is taking on the largest PPC system that is fraught with problems, fraud, and bloated costs, while Google is doing everything right, in my opinion. AdWords: Good effective ads and well-targeted keywords can get away with pay LESS...? Yes!!! Google rocks!

I just hope Microsoft doesn't buy them. I remember at a meeting hearing a MS rep say in the late 90's that they were going to "Kill Netscape".

Go Linux! But if you were going to "Kill Linux", and you were MS, what would you do? Well, the FUD campaign did not work(Silly MS...), what I would do is... yup! Embrace and extinguish. I would look for covert operations to take the indirect approach, like starting a number of Linux companies, small, but well-funded, to FRAGMENT the industry. MS will reveal it's own version and eat the mainstream marketplace.

Yikes! Did I every stray from the main topic...! Anyway, I hope that either Kevin creates another version that includes most of the free systems or Bruce updates his chart. For me, it would be cool if Bruce dropped all the paid systems, since I only submit to paid systems when I can do so for free...

If you are new to search engine marketing or just confused about who does what with whom... I am sure you will Kevin's chart very useful.

Bruce Clay, LLC
Internet Business Consultants
Serving Clients Worldwide
207 West Los Angeles Avenue, Suite 277
Moorpark, CA 93021
Voice: 805-517-1900
Toll Free: 866-517-1900
Fax: 805-517-1919

DID-IT.COM
Professional search engine campaign management and consulting
352 7th Ave 3rd Floor
New York City, NY 10001
Phone: 212-631-0157
Mobile: 917-842-0150
Fax 212-402.7768

___________________________________________________________________________
Every month Bob Johnson's Computer Stuff gives away a free laptop! Really!
http://www.bobjohnson.com/
___________________________________________ ________________________________

We've added a classified ads category to our search engine and directory submissions list. I'm still updating the database, but the new one should be published before the end of the month. you can find it here:Free search engine submission list. We make it available in HTML, Excel, and dBASE formats for your submitting pleasure.

The decision to add classifieds was pretty easy. My favorite right now is
www.USAFreeAds.com.

They offer free ads like most free ads sites, but they are really easy to use. PLUS, if you decide to upgrage to paid account, the pricing is REALLY resonable. Check out their features and services and I think you will agree that they really seem to understand what we want in a classified ad service.

We've decided to turn some of our SEO expertise to our own projects. We will be anouncing several site launches this year and if they go well, a larger number next year.

The two main projects that are on the drawing table are a directory of computer service companies here in the Minneapolis and Saint Paul area, and a lawyer referral directory. If you have any interest in either project or can suggest a project that would be more original, please let me know.

I'd like to have then both be search engines, but the amount of work involved may be more than we want to commit to. Still, if we can find a good script that would work, we might go that route...


(hristian

And what the heck! I finally got around to optimizing this puppy! That's right, I optimized and submitted my blog to search engines to see if I can increase the traffic here. If this works I'll start offering it as a service and doing some serious marketing on it.

Index this you bots!!!!!! search engine optimization, seo, sep, search engine positioning, site submissions, search engine submissions, internet consulting, internet marketing search engine optimization, seo, sep, search engine positioning, site submissions, search engine submissions, internet consulting, internet marketing search engine optimization, seo, sep, search engine positioning, site submissions, search engine submissions, internet consulting, internet marketing search engine optimization, seo, sep, search engine positioning, site submissions, search engine submissions, internet consulting, internet marketing

Yeah, it's a little dense, but for the overall page it should not bee too bad. We'll have to wait and see. This is a new area for us and we need to do some testing before we have client's pay for it.

Questions? Want your site or Blog optimized for search engines? Let me know: christian@nielsentech.com


Christian Nielsen
Nielsen Technical Services
7141 Oak Pointe Curve
Minneapolis, MN 55438 USA
952-943-0170
208-730-2916 fax
http://www.nielsentech.com

Internet consulting company that specializes in search engine optimization (SEO)and submissions. Company will optimize an average site for less than $600. Site lists client project examples, results, and service pricing. References provided upon request.
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Hey, had to post to tell you about I-Blog!

Very cool newsletter that has just caused me to waste faaar too much time this evening. I't chock full of good resources for all those interesteed in things Blog.

Subscribe: www.adventive.com/index.html

All the Adventive lists are really good and they do NOT pay me to say that. At least, not yet...

Recommended!!!

I just dragged myself back here, because I wanted to let all (ok, both...) of you know that my favorite series of discussion lists from Advantive has changed hands and is now under new ownership.

I think that the new owners will bring a fresh view to the lists and may make a great thing even better. If not, I think they will still do all they can to maintain the same high standards.

Anyway, here is their link so you can check them out for yourself:

www.up2speed.com

[formerly the Adventive lists]
Up2Speed-Daily new!
I-Blog new!
I-Copywriting
I-Design
I-Domain
I-PR
I-Sales
I-Search
I-Wireless