Does Anyone Else Think This Is Unethical? Options

[MaltaSEO]

One of our clients called us to say that they had someone in their office who was a "partner" with Google. She put her on the phone and she said due to their "partnership" with Google, they were going to get the client's video listed in the organic section of the results when searches were completed for their business name. I have no doubt that the video will appear, it is the "partnership" letter they were showing off that I have a problem with. http://www.elocallink.tv/web/main/elocalli...oogleletter.php (hosted on the seller's website, not ours or the clients)

I think "partnership" is a very inflated word that they are using to deceive people unaware of SEM. Just interested in knowing what other people think....hope none of you work for them

[bwelford]

It would seem to be a very old letter. A lot has happened since then, not least the YouTube phenomenon.

[EGOL]

This hits really high on my BS meter. I would not put much stock in this "partnership". That letter simply says that Google will index a little content. Anybody can get indexed. It says nothing of where they will rank.

This post has been edited by EGOL: Jan 24 2008, 11:27 PM

[MaltaSEO]

That is exactly why I think it is unethical...because it is deceptive. And what is sad is that the local Chamber of commerce is doing business with this deceptive company and that is how they are getting their foot in the door to local businesses.

This post has been edited by MaltaSEO: Jan 24 2008, 11:37 PM

[A.N.Onym]

Maybe calling Google (starting with the numbers from the letter) and asking them what they really meant would help. Then you'd have ground to speak with your client. And seek some blog posts on Google blogs. I am sure this letter means nothing.

Then again, regardless of how they put it, I'd think they may be efficient in putting videos on Google video, because of the sheer experience of doing so for a while. Maybe asking them on how they do on YouTube, the numbers and comparing them with other popular videos might help.

This post has been edited by A.N.Onym: Jan 24 2008, 11:56 PM

[kulpreet_singh]

Hmm.. it says "going into 2006"

We are into 2008 right now.

That letter does not say the company is a Google partner. I'm sure some of the top Adsense customers get letters like that - it doesn't mean they can influence Google's organic search rankings. It is true that well optimized new videos on YouTube with a good buzz can get quicker ranking due to the freshness factor, but it is not permanent - it is more for viral promotions - and it certainly can't be forced by some agency.

[Respree]

Your client is free to do business with anyone they like.

However, since they are your client too, I think it would reflect well upon you to inform them of the facts.

The fact is, all videos will be indexed without doing a thing, provide the site has not explicitly banned the spiders from indexing their videos. I can't think of a single reason why anyone would.

By virtue of videos being indexed, they will appear in the SERPs, again, without any human intervention.

A search engine's ranking algorithm is exactly that. Its a computer program that does it's job without emotion or consideration to who's a friend, partner, favorite customer, or uncle of Google.

In short, that's the primary job of Google and every other search engine.

As for ranking, typically, the uploader of the video (your client) gets to choose the title of the video. So all your client has to do is put their business name in the title (and perhaps in the video description), formulate and execute a strategy for people to link to it and it is very likely they'll rank well (unless, of course, there are 1000 identically named businesses out there (again, unlikely)).

Not sure if its anyone's place to judge how another conducts their business. I'd simply be a friend to your client, give the REAL facts, and let your client do what they will with that information.

This post has been edited by Respree: Jan 25 2008, 03:03 AM

[DrPete]

I have to agree with others that the provider is misrepresenting the nature of the letter. A.N.Onym's idea of contacting Google sounds like a good one to me; there's a difference between a misrepresentation and a flat-out lie, and it would be nice to know if the letter is legitimate.

It's always been my understanding that Google has no partnership programs that allow people preferential indexing. Of course, it would be naive to think that no one gets preferential treatment, but I tend to believe Google on this one. Allowing partnerships to influence the SERPs could kill their credibility very quickly. They certainly aren't going to do it for some video production company that nobody's heard of.

@EGOL: Sorry for a total non-sequitir, but we miss you over at SEOmoz.

[folex]

I would like to of read the letter that Bob from CGI Communications sent to Google. It would not surprise me if it was just a nice formal letter explaining how excited CGI were at the fact that Google had adopted indexing video in their SERPS.

There is nothing in that letter that suggests any partnership whatsoever.

[Webnauts]

That is definitely unethical, if not fraud.

Here is what Google says about that:

... Google doesn't have relationships with any SEOs and doesn't offer recommendations...

Source: http://www.google.com/support/webmasters/b...py?answer=35291

I would suggest you to pass the URL to your client right away.

This post has been edited by Webnauts: Jan 25 2008, 10:22 PM

[MaltaSEO]

Thanks for the link.

Vielen Dank

[imBuntu]

Definitely it is unethical and cheating since google say that there is on search engine optimization company whom google favors compare to other.

If you are going for PPC campaigns, ya, google gives certificate to PPC Companies but that certificate also shows that the company have employee who are expert in handing google's ppc advertising but this does not mean any partnership kind of relationship with google.

This post has been edited by imBuntu: Jan 31 2008, 08:31 AM

[Bompa]

It is rather harsh and premature for us to say that she is behaving unethical
or that she is cheating.

We don't know exactly what this lady said on the phone other than she used the
word "partner" and "partnership with Google".

Anyone can say that.

I partner with Google to get my traffic.

Anyways, she is a salesperson and sales people use words to paint pictures in the
minds of their prospects everyday all around the world.

Lastly, do not issue a warning to your client, if you do, you will only be judging
your client's ability to make a good decision and that will never earn you points.
Your client, if he has half a brain, will contact Google to verify the partnership.

If your client wants to stay safe, he should stick with you, period.

This post has been edited by Bompa: Feb 20 2008, 09:57 PM