Market Samurai - Dead?

[Copydog]

Google has just changed their terms and conditions
of use for Adwords accounts:

7. Prohibited uses. Customer shall not, and
shall not allow any third party to … (ii) use any
automated means, form of scraping or other such
data extraction methods to access, query or otherwise
collect and use Google advertising related information
from any Google Property unless expressly permitted
by Google in writing…

As they use the info in Google Adwords listings, is this
the end for Market Samurai?

Would be a wonderful keyword tool if it worked properly:
constantly hangs.

And their training videos are superb -- but not much use
if the keyword search component of MS is now defunct.

Would be nice to get some feedback from the guys at
Noble Samurai here on the forum.

Regards

Eldo

[jamesburchill]

I love this app. But it's been slowly getting slower and less functional of late. Still, I don't begrudge paying what I did, it's been worth it. Now looking at new alternatives ... mostly cloud based. Have you heard of Raven?

[Dave90210]

What does Cloud Based mean?

Originally Posted by jamesburchill

I love this app. But it's been slowly getting slower and less functional of late. Still, I don't begrudge paying what I did, it's been worth it. Now looking at new alternatives ... mostly cloud based. Have you heard of Raven?

[sbucciarel]

I bought it just before it started getting dysfunctional so I am less appreciative of it's usefulness. Since I paid for it, it has pretty much been gathering digital dust.

[CleanMountainLiving]

Originally Posted by sbucciarel

I bought it just before it started getting dysfunctional so I am less appreciative of it's usefulness. Since I paid for it, it has pretty much been gathering digital dust.

Dust bunnies all over mine as well. I have not found it useful at all....

[Brian Terry]

Originally Posted by Dave90210

What does Cloud Based mean?

It's web based so you access it through a website rather than as a desktop application.

[brendan9971]

This is going to be a huge! Many marketer's are going to be very angry!

[Richard Van]

use Google advertising related information
from any Google Property unless expressly permitted
by Google in writing…

How do we know MS doesn't have it in writing?

[Rumpleteazer]

I presume this means that there are issues for Micro Niche Finder as well??

[RichardHK]

Originally Posted by Rumpleteazer

I presume this means that there are issues for Micro Niche Finder as well??

And most all tools, right? Unless they have their API approved by Google I guess.

Installed an update to MS earlier tonight and rank checker was working well. But when I tried to retrieve keyword data all I got was blank cells yet again. Oh my God! If only we knew what the heck was happening.

[amreen]

Originally Posted by RichardHK

And most all tools, right? Unless they have their API approved by Google I guess.

Installed an update to MS earlier tonight and rank checker was working well. But when I tried to retrieve keyword data all I got was blank cells yet again. Oh my God! If only we knew what the heck was happening.

Well, I thought only me is suffering!

[misterkailo]

I find it less and less useful ever since the Panda update

[doggyminder]

Yes I have used it and it is very effective.

[JSProjects]

LOVED Market Samurai for the longest time. Seems to have been getting worse and worse recently.

[timothywcrane]

The Noble Samurai forum is being re-vamped!


We're working on an all-new forum


We have temporarily turned off our forums while we work at setting up a new and improved forum.
If you have any enquiries, please#######
We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.


NNNNNEEEEEEXXXXXXTTTTTT!!!

[Knowledge Kick]

I was thinking about buying MS soon. Good thing I waited.

[Jeremy Wilson]

I wanted to throw in some perspective on this issue since I have my own market research/keyword software that faces many similar issues as MS.

It doesn't really matter whether a keyword tool is cloud/web based (like mine) or desktop based (like MS) anyone who gets data from Google by scraping faces the same issues.

MS, MNE, SpyFU, SEMRush, KeywordSpy, etc all get their data from Google so if Google makes it next to impossible to get the data then all of these tools and services face the same problems.

As to whether or not it violates some Google policy is actually pretty irrelevant because any kind of scraping has always been against Google's terms in one way or another.

All those automated rank checkers out there?

They all volate Google's policies.

Companies and people can spin it anyway they want but techinally any tool that scrapes data from Google without permission (and does anyone think Google really grants permission to anyone) violates their TOS in some way.

Which is funny because Google's entire business is built around scraping other people's content and then selling ads around it :-)

So Google has started making it extremely difficult to get their data. They ban and block IP addresses much faster and more aggressively than in the past so it requires a ton of different IP addresses and some pretty sophisticated bots to scrape the data.

That's why you see tools having trouble getting inanchor, inurl, intitle, etc data because Google either bans ips super quick or returns unreliable results that change each time you perform a search (or at least are not consistent across numerous searches)

Next they revamped their keyword tool and have made it very difficult to scrape.

Just search around the freelancer sites and you will see tons of requests for Google keyword tool scrapers but many have no bids or have been cancelled.

Now they are beginning to strip the keyword tool of usefulnes such as taking away the monthly trend data and now the CPC data from the free external keyword tool

The only way to get the data now is to login in to a Google account to access the tool which surprise surprise is much easier for Google to monitor and block activity that looks like scraping.

So how about the Adwords API? You can get data from it right?

Sure but with two major "gotchas".

1) you have to pay to use it

2) You can't create tools to automate mass lookups or they can ban your API account/license.


The end result is forcing more and more tools to rely on using the API in some form and paying for the data and the end users of the software will need manually intitiate some of those lookpus (no biggie really just click a button...but it will cost to get the data which is the bigger issue.)

Now this may sound all doom and gloom but really it's not. It's just the reality of the situation that is shaping up.

There are still plenty of ways to scrape most of the data and it will be very hard to stop data scraping cold but it seems Google is stepping up their efforts.

For my part we will continue to adapt to the changes and build better software and data scanners so if I'm not worried being a smaller software vendor then I'm sure the guys at Market Samurai will figure something out.

Anyway, just wanted to shed a bit of light on the behind the scenes stuff that it takes to put these kinds of tools out there.

[Knowledge Kick]

How hard does Google crack down on this though? I mean, considering that out of the millions of people who use Google < 1% of internet users actually use these softwares.

[thecableguy]

Have you guys tied your MS to your Adwords account? It was so long ago that I created an Adwords account, but isn't it only about $5? I didn't notice some of the problems that it's been having, but then again I only use a couple of modules.

[RichardHK]

Yes, my AdWords account info is tied Ok but makes zero difference. My AdWords account is active too, so I am giving Google some money to pay for their services! Talking of which I am having to use their keyword tool more often directly and it works fine.

[Copydog]

Jeremy

Your reply is enlightening.

I think everyone involved with Internet marketing
and using keyword research software should see
the handwriting on the wall.

Seems Google's trying to dominate the whole Internet
and make even more money than the billions it already
has.

The face of Internet marketing may be about to change
beyond all recognition.

Apparently Google is linked to the US National Security
Agency (!).

Read what respected analyst Dr. Webster Tarpley says:

http://bit.ly/9IugIN

The Internet marketing summer may be coming to an end fast...

Time to rebuild an offline business before it's too late?

Best

Eldo

[hilhilginger]

Originally Posted by sbucciarel

I bought it just before it started getting dysfunctional so I am less appreciative of its usefulness. Since I paid for it, it has pretty much been gathering digital dust.

Market Samurai lost its fancy among internet marketers. I think the money I have invested with this software is lost. I am now more focused into manual tactics to drive traffic.

[Copydog]

Timothy

Great news the Noble Samurai forum is being
revamped.

But you're not answering the questions members
have raised in this thread.

If Market Samurai no longer works as an
effective keyword tool, why bother revamping
your forum, because no one's going to buy MS
(if you continue to sell it)?

We don't want to hear about a forum revamp,
but about what's happening with MS (which is
why I started this thread).

Will you be able to fix it?

I haven't yet been able to get the 800 Adwords
keywords part to work. It always just returns 100
keywords from the search, which is not much good.

Just level with us and let us know what's going on.

Thanks.

Eldo

[RangerTim]

What a bummer. I just purchased MS a week ago and it worked for a couple of days. Of course, now I've discovered - like most of you - that it no longer works. I'm really pissed that they didn't imform everyone of this problem. I will try to get my money back, but so far MS support hasn't even replied to my request for more information.

[BarcsHasBite]

Anyone know a good alternative?

[Rukshan]

Originally Posted by BarcsHasBite

Anyone know a good alternative?

Micro Niche Finder

[brobdingnagian]

I've been struggling with Market Samurai since last October. Last month, I said to H#$! with it and got Traffic Travis. I couldn't be happier.

[Copydog]

Good news!

Market Samurai's working fine for me again.

Well done to the team at Noble Samurai for fixing the bugs.

Best

Eldo

[seo-expert]

I use the Google Adwords Keyword Tools and don't rely much on third party Google API-based applications.

[dpiper]

Gee, I just used my MS last night and it worked fine!

[RichardHK]

Originally Posted by Copydog

Good news!
Market Samurai's working fine for me again.
Well done to the team at Noble Samurai for fixing the bugs.
Best
Eldo

Working again for me too tonight! Fingers crossed the team get through this Ok. I would be lost without MS - such a well designed tool.

[andrawah]

i always use a crack version but i feel the speed is so slow for me along with my 1mbs speed. This is a real kick A,,, dummy slow

[Steve Crooks]

Originally Posted by andrawah

i always use a crack version but i feel the speed is so slow for me along with my 1mbs speed. This is a real kick A,,, dummy slow

Unbelieveable! Some people..

[mike31smith]

I seem to had some issues with MS as well. It seems like there is a new update every other day. After the update it seems to work fine.
I have been using Traffic Travis as an alternative.

[DamenRabat]

Signed up for a trial version of Market Samurai just yesterday and things went smoothly and as hoped for.

[wordwizard]

Just wondering, how well does bing or yahoo work when it comes to keyword research?

Are there any tools that use those?

I've found it really scary when Google suddenly accused me of being a bot and shut me out (for a little while anyway), just for doing a little keyword research (and manually too!).

[pabrigowar]

Now... Still not sure if I should get it or not...

[Vincent1988]

I don't think it's the end of Market Samurai

[atxadmin]

So here we are 6 weeks later and the forum is still being revamped?? C'mon guys. Must be a tough revamp ...

I'm thinking they're really working on something else, eh?

Market Samurai looks like it's a tool with a great deal of built in functionality and I came 'that' close to buying, but I have some questions that should probably be answered in it's forum before I commit. And a couple of new questions after seeing this thread!

[jamesburchill]

I bought MSAM a long time ago and have recommended it since, right now I've had to move on. If they get their game fixed I'll happily start using it once more but until then I have a business to run so we bought a years subscription to Wordtracker. At about $370 for the year it might be beyond some people's budgets ($69 mo if you go month to month) but if you are serious and you want a powerful fast and very cool tool that gets the job done, then Wordtracker is it.

James

[TomScarn]

I'm glad that I am not the only one whose been having issues with Market Samurai. It isn't anything major other than just gradual slowing of keyword generation and SEO checks. Hopefully they can work something out with Google whereas I won't have to lose one of my most prized IM tools!

[imback]

Yea MS is slowly dieing along with all the other scrapers, but until then scrape on



CHAD

[webjedi]

Originally Posted by sbucciarel

I bought it just before it started getting dysfunctional so I am less appreciative of it's usefulness. Since I paid for it, it has pretty much been gathering digital dust.

Yeah I FINALLY got a paid version sooo damn excited. Now it's crapping out either crashing or with the new version of AdobeAir it fails on keyword research. How bummed am I?


WJ

[jamesburchill]

While I haven't given up on MSAM entirely, I haven't used it much at all and since I have a business to run, it's been relegated to the 'back room' on my computer.

After much soul searching I bought an annual subscription to Wordtracker and have to say that I am super happy with the results. And I like the speed, the way it keeps all my projects online and so forth.

I realize it may be beyond some folks budgets but a tool that's cheaper but doesn't work is actually more expensive in the long run.

Here's hoping MSAM gets back in the game, I'd love to bring it back from the dead and include it in the mix once more, it really does (did) have some fantastic features (when they worked.)

Just my 2 cents.

James

[MiriamParkinson]

Hi Everyone,

Most of the issues with Market Samurai are now resolved by either updating to the latest version of Market Samurai or installing Adobe AIR 3.

We're also working on a major update that will make keyword research and rank tracker run much more smoothly.

Regards
Miriam

[Alexander Simons]

Originally Posted by MiriamParkinson

Hi Everyone,

Most of the issues with Market Samurai are now resolved by either updating to the latest version of Market Samurai or installing Adobe AIR 3.

We're also working on a major update that will make keyword research and rank tracker run much more smoothly.

Regards
Miriam

Cool, how did you Solve the problem? Did you get some kind of permission to scrape by Google or did you find some clever way to bypass the new TOS?

It would really help me ( and probably a lot of people) if anyone from Market Samurai or someone from some other still working keyword research program could answer three questions, so we could know if it's still worth buying, using and creating your own keyword research softwares.

1: Is it still worth buying a keyword software or is keyword softwares dieing?
2: Does your/ most keyword softwares still work properly and give the best results as possible?
3: Is it really possible to create a custom keyword research software, what would the problems be, is there any solutions to the problems you may get you can stare?

[Mark Marzinzik]

Don't waste your MONEY on Market Samurai! ... Like I did.... The concept is great but BIG DOG GOOGLE changed the operability of the program... Kind of sounds like Microsoft...eh?

[Mark Marzinzik]

Originally Posted by Copydog

Jeremy

Your reply is enlightening.

I think everyone involved with Internet marketing
and using keyword research software should see
the handwriting on the wall.

Seems Google's trying to dominate the whole Internet
and make even more money than the billions it already
has.

The face of Internet marketing may be about to change
beyond all recognition.

Apparently Google is linked to the US National Security
Agency (!).

Read what respected analyst Dr. Webster Tarpley says:

http://bit.ly/9IugIN

The Internet marketing summer may be coming to an end fast...

Time to rebuild an offline business before it's too late?

Best

Eldo

Jeremy, I agree with Webster ... just another "power-Play" by the controllers of world power. Do as I say, NOT as I do

[bamswg]

Maybe, didnt work for me too

[ameerulislam10]

I see, so this is the situation. No wonder MS was updating too frequently these days. Every day/time I opened MS there was and update waiting. I'm only using MS to check the SERP these days.