Googles Wonderland: Trouble In Paradise – Marketing
Googles Wonderland: Trouble In Paradise
Dean Phillips
The fairy tale existance of Google is starting to experience shockwaves.
So, whats the source of these shockwaves Click fraud. As my readers know, Ive written several articles on the subject of click fraud, suggesting that since its the market leader, Google should take a more proactive approach with the problem of click fraud.
Until now, Google has been mostly quiet about the subject, issuing this single statement to the Securities and Exchange Commission:
"We are exposed to the risk of fraudulent clicks on our ads. We have regularly paid refunds related to fraudulent clicks and expect to do so in the future. If we are unable to stop this fraudulent activity, these refunds may increase. If we find new evidence of past fraudulent clicks, we may have to issue refunds retroactively of amounts previously paid to our Google Network members."
So, why isnt Google doing more about click fraud In one of my articles, I theorized that with the amount of money involved, its actually more cost effective for Google to issue an occasional refund to its advertisers, than to develop technology to eliminate click fraud.
That theory was echoed in a recent article, in which the author wrote:
"Googles primary defense against click fraud has been to refund advertisers their money if they complain and Google sees evidence that fraudulent clicks have occured. The problem with this is that the burden of proof is on the advertiser ... and Google knows that most advertisers will not take the time to argue. Therefore, Google has a financial incentive not to deal with click fraud on their own. It not only costs them to deal with the problem but if they do find a solution to stopping click fraud ... it will cost Google much more when they dont get paid for 20 percent or more of their clicks."
However, all of that may be about to change. At an investor conference last Wednesday, Google CFO George Reyes stated:
"I think something has to be done about this really, really quickly, because I think, potentially, it threatens our business model."
My question is this: What took Google so long to come to that realization Its not like click fraud just magically appeared yesterday. The media has been reporting on the problem for at least the last 3 years.
Smug in its ivory tower, did Google think the problem was just going to go away by itself Or was it waiting for Overture or one of the smaller pay-per-click companies to solve the problem, so it wouldnt have to deal with it
These are troubling questions, to say the least. Even more troubling is Googles passive approach to a serious problem, which in my opinion has been reprehensible.
It should be interesting to see what Googles next move is. Google CFO George Reyes statement notwithstanding, Ill believe Google is serious about eliminating click fraud, when I finally see it!
About The Author
Dean Phillips is an Internet marketing expert, writer, publisher and entrepreneur. Questions Comments Dean can be reached at mailto: dean@lets-make-money.net.
Visit his website at: http://www.lets-make-money.net
Do You Know When You Are Being Sold To – Marketing
Do You Know When You Are Being Sold To
Joanna Ferndale
Britney Spears has recently caused controversy with suggestions that the ad campaign for her new fragrance range uses subliminal or hidden messages in its efforts to convince potential buyers. Advertisers have long been aware of the power of appealing to our subsoncious minds, so what methods exactly do they employ, and how widespread is the practise
Broadly speaking, there are three methods in common use - Product Endorsement, Product Placement, and Hidden Subliminal Imagery.
Why do advertisers use these methods
As consumers, we tend to make buying decisions based on emotion rather than logic. When see a product, we make up our minds very quickly about whether we want it or not, based purely on the way the product is presented to us. Any accompanying sales pitch is merely there to help us justify the purchase to our more logical selves. Advertisers know this of course, so they spend huge amounts of time and money marketing their products in ways that appeal to our emotions and subconscious mind.
So how do the three methods work
Taking each in turn:
Product Endorsement
This is possibly the most up-front and honest method. Quite simply, a product is endorsed by a well known figure
Winning the Traffic Exchange Game – Marketing
Winning the Traffic Exchange Game
Shannon Herod
Winning the traffic exchange game can be done. I was just starting out online and had no money so I was looking for a free way to drive traffic to my site. That is when I first found traffic exchanges. I found the concept to be great and signed up for everyone I found and started clicking and clicking and clicking. After countless hours, a blistered clicking finger and a lot of frustration I found the secret to the game.
Traffic Is What They Want
The members clicking for hits at the traffic exchanges are looking for the same thing you are. Traffic to there site. Most are not interested in finding a new opportunity or looking to go shopping they just want traffic. So how do you get their business The most effective way is by using a lead capture page.
Lead Capture Page
A lead capture page is a simple site that stands out to the surfer. The object is to not sell your product or information but to create curiosity. At the bottom of the page you will need a form so people can request more information from you. By nature we are curious people so people will sign up.
The people that are surfing for hits have 30 seconds on average to review your site it is hard to sell a product in 30 seconds but it is pretty easy to peak someone