Illegal Internet Tactics?

[Ed Gerson]

Another photographer in my area is using a list of key words which
divert Google and other search engines eventually to his website. If you keep going down the list of Google hits for "X Studio", you will find this guy's studio listed. Eventually his name will have come higher up on the hits page. It happened on my website, he's already on Google page one and a half. I never heard of this guy frankly.

The key words include most area photographers, cities in WV, Ohio and Pa., and even lists MONTE ZUCKER! in addition, Sears, Holiday Inn, local resorts, bridal shops. Get the picture?

What may legally be done to stop this practice? I have not yet contacted this guy, but I am gathering information.

Thanks - Ed

[Noel_Carboni]

What, exactly, are you perceiving to be illegal?

Most if not all of the search engines frown on including stuff in your own web site to cause it to be placed higher in their listings, but I don't think it's illegal, per se.

On the other hand they'll gladly take your money to make you a "sponsored match".

And it depends on what you're searching for, doesn't it? Is the name "X Studio" common? I know if you search for my business name (ProDigital Software) my site comes up first in Google. That's because the name isn't common.

-Noel

[KevinStecyk]

I am with Noel on this issue. What's illegal about it?

This reminds me a blog article I recently read:

Boudoir Photographer: Is the Sky Falling?

Those with sensitivities might want to cover their eyes while they read the article. It has to do with marketing and the internet. Speaking of blogs and the internet, that (blogs) might be a way to share your knowledge and bring more hits and attention to your website.

[MikeA]

Ed,

I don't think you can do anything about it. So far, it isn't illegal to be annoying.

Like spam fighting, gaining search engine ranking prominence is an arms race. Keywords are a method of broadening your search engine visibility, but they aren't near as effective as they once were.

In the early days of google, I had lots of fun moving the company website up the search results using real and relevant keywords. This worked because almost nobody else was doing it, now almost everyone does it, and search engines have become more sophisticated.

Mike

[Ed Gerson]

Let me rephrase what I was saying, if it makes a difference.

The guy has a list which I have seen.If you Google my business his business name comes up on the first or second page of Google hits.

Is this legal?

[Ed Gerson]

Noel/Kevin - after checking out the "Sky Falling" html and reviewing the simple question: "What is illegal about it?" -

Is it my understanding that an unknown competitor can redirect Google searches by providing the actual name of your business on their website, and by doing so Google will include this unknown competitor's name along with your name in Google's list of hits?

[MikeA]

Without knowing either site, and not wanting to help you possibly defame this other party, can I suggest that Google's search engine criteria might be more complicated than what this person may have on their list?

What I'm trying to say, is that while both you and he think that he is influencing the search, he may be, but not nearly by as much as you both think. Google's search results are more complicated than a massive list of sites keyword lists.

That this other person has your site's name in his list is certainly annoying, but google may be linking you by other means anyway...

Mike.

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