Mis-use of keywords

[RichardB]

I am new to this forum and am looking for answers to a problem I have.

I subscribed to Yahoo Search Marketing and Google Adwords last month to target market my photography services within a specific geographical area within Wisconsin.

I recently found that two competitors in the same area were using the names of other local photography businesses, including myself, as keywords in their search marketing - and appear as sponsored listings when someone searches by a specific business name - that is not theirs. To me, this is unethical, to say the least. I do have complaints registered with both Yahoo and Google.

Does anyone here have any comments or suggestions on how to deal with this?

Richard

[SEOIndia]

Unethical yes, but I guess a webmaster could pay to target whatever keyword he pleases. I wonder if your complaints will have any effect... I would say beat him at his own game.

[RichardB]

Thanks for your response. Complaints had some effect, but a direct phone call to the offender did the job. We are within a mile from each other and belong to the same professional organizations.

Richard

[SEOIndia]

Congrats! Problem solved! There r so many ppl out there indulging in so many unethical means to get to the top... its depressing.

[palconit]

about sites using unethical techniques, how long would it take if we file a complaint in google spam report?

[SEOIndia]

Usually google reacts pretty quickly. It does not take too many days. But then, its google. There r no sureshot guarantees.

[SEOSecrets]

Hi Richard B.

I just wanted to add a note of perspective here for you. I am an SEO. I am a competitive webmaster. My job is to outrank you. I do that for money. You are free to then compete with me, if you like.

Given that, what are the ethics you cite? You seem to have taken some gentleman's code from your other professional arena (photography in your area) and projected it onto SEO on the Internet.

Sorry. I don't mean to be offensive, but if I come across as "off-puttng" then I have demonstrated the issue: you are attempting to compete on the web as a photographer, and that is simply the wrong code set. You compete on the web as a webmaster.

I suppose I just want to make the point that your external imposition of "ethic" is out of place in this context. There is a significant depth to this webmaster stuff for which you have no credential. Rest assured the professional webmaster associations (and SEO groups) are up to speed on addressing each and every one of these issues. You would do well to hire one to work for you. It sounds like all you would need is a wee little bit o' SEO to beat those guys. What's holding you back?

i could further demonstrate my point by showing exactly how your competitors might compete against you, since you provided your website, location, and a bit about your intentions. Please don't get me wrong - I applaud you for going after the web and search engine rank. I just hate to see you continue mis-directed.

[BoSolaris]

Congrats! Problem solved! There r so many ppl out there indulging in so many unethical means to get to the top... its depressing.

If only it were not so true. The blackhats are far out numbering the regular and long term methods of improvement.

[hiredesigner]

Congrats you came out of your problem. People are so mean. They are doing so many illeagle things in order to get high ranking.

[BoSolaris]

Congrats you came out of your problem. People are so mean. They are doing so many illeagle things in order to get high ranking.

That is going to happen in any place where their is money to be made....

[Thomas Schulz]

I am not sure it is illegal to bid on the keywords themselves. But it is probably not legal to show the names in ads. There was some lawsuit about this recently. Anyways, laws vill vary on the country you are based in.

[TitanEnterprises]

The problem really is that Blackhat tactics WORK. Alot of us work very hard to try and do things right, and then some guy comes in does something unethical and wins in half the time. It is sad but it's something we have to deal with.