Honestly What Does 'As Seen on Google, Yahoo, MSN and Youtube' Mean?

[yourreviewer]

I have seen quite a number of sites lately that have 'As seen on Google, Yahoo, MSN and Youtube'. Can anyone care to elaborate what it really means and if it would constitute deceptive marketing?

[JohnMcCabe]

It hits me the same way some offline products say "As seen on TV".

It probably means they bought ads on all those sites. They're lying by telling the exact truth and letting the reader infer more than is there.

Does that mean I'll never buy anything carrying those statements? No, but the bar they have to get over gets a lot higher...

[Steven Fullman]

Lol,

I never saw it that way...

But you're right, if you buy an ad on Adwords...technically you've been "seen" on Google. If you've posted a video...technically you've been "broadcast" on YouTube.

etc.

Thanks, John.

Steve

Originally Posted by JohnMcCabe

It hits me the same way some offline products say "As seen on TV".

It probably means they bought ads on all those sites. They're lying by telling the exact truth and letting the reader infer more than is there.

Does that mean I'll never buy anything carrying those statements? No, but the bar they have to get over gets a lot higher...

[yourreviewer]

So is that the criteria? the fact that you ran ads on Google and have videos on Youtube? If that's the case, is it OK to have that on your site?

[Steven Fullman]

Legally: Probably

Ethically: Probably not

But I don't want to get into an ethical debate

Steve

Originally Posted by yourreviewer

So is that the criteria? the fact that you ran ads on Google and have videos on Youtube? If that's the case, is it OK to have that on your site?

[Matt Maiden]

It is an attempt to add credibility.

If I'm selling a course on How To Play The Guitar you see it as just a guy who may or may not know what he is talking about.

If I tell you that I was the lead guitarist for a famous rock band now your perception of me has just changed.

Some people think that if something has been on T.V. and approved by the "T.V. People" then it must be legitimate. This is why all of the infomercials start out with a disclaimer from the t.v. station. To let you know that it is just an ad and not part of the programming.

Still, if someone sees those trusted brands like Google, Wired Magazine, Channel 5 News...subconsciously there is a bit of trust.

I knew a guy who had a little hamburger joint and had all of these famous people in pictures with him all over the walls including a couple of U.S. Presidents.

One day I asked him if all of those people really had been there and he said "No". "I go to fund raising dinners and have my picture taken with them".

Matt

[Adam Carn]

It means absolutely nothing!

Adam

[Sean Roberts]

These always crack me up - I instantly just think "Great - so you're indexed in the search engines - so what?" It means absolutely nothing to me either, and instead of creating crdibility, I see it as odd and kind of desperate they need to point this fact out.

[tommygunn]

I think it's genius and a bit deceptive. Most importantly brand association does help sell, that's a no brain-er, even if you bought the "insert generic unheard brand here", you were at least tempted to buy the "insert big brand name here", because it might be better quality or support or whatever. For a bit of a different and more relevant example, if a guy recommending penny stock picks and got an interview from the wall street journal, wouldn't you trust (more) that he's legit? It's likely legal, but I can't any real information on it online.

[Matt Maiden]

Originally Posted by Sean Roberts

...It means absolutely nothing to me either,

We are not affected by the magic because we ourselves are magicians and we know the trick

Matt

[Michael Oksa]

I would say just being indexed means you have been "seen". It doesn't mean much.

That's my response. As seen on the Warrior Forum.

All the best,
Michael

[Sean Roberts]

Originally Posted by Matt M

We are not affected by the magic because we ourselves are magicians and we know the trick

Matt

Yeah definitely true - it's kinda cool when you've been in and around IM long enough that you really start to be able to see through all the tricks used, I find myself amused every day reading other peoples' hype and sales copy.

I still don't know if I'd give it much credence even if I wasn't wise to marketing tricks, surely the average Joe would still just associate the names Google, Yahoo, MSN etc with search engines?

I could just have a skewed view because I am aware of this method though, mind you, even before getting into IM I was never an average Joe either

[JonathanBoettcher]

IMO It means nothing, but to people without much knowledge of the internet it may help with the credibility thing.

Difference is, with TV, it typically costs thousands of dollars to get on there, so whoever does typically has some clout. Doesn't make them any more or less reputable, really, just indicates some $$ behind their efforts.

We all know how easy it is to get on Google, Yahoo, MSN and .... LOL YouTube?

I guess it would depend on what you're selling and to whom.

[spazz896]

I have a bit of different viewpoint, i see it as, i've been talked about/reviewed on Ezine Articles, people talked about my site on hub pages etc. etc..

[zapseo]

I see it's impressive enough for you to use your real name.

j/k

(oops there it is ... in the sig...)

Being on the other side, copywriters and marketers know the "special incantations." We know (if we are to be successful) either how to push other people's buttons, or find groups of 'em with their buttons just requiring a hair-trigger to be pushed.

I tell my friends and family -- before you go buy something (like bizopp) -- TALK to me. I feel like I can help "decode" the salesspeak for them.

But anyone who thinks they aren't vulnerable are the same people who laughed at the "herd" as they signed up en masse to the old "Marketing to the Herd" forum that was on the WF. OTOH, what was even more interesting was -- considering how dang cheap it was -- how many people missed out on an excellent forum with brilliant exposes of marketing -- including the blurb that was used to invite people to buy.

If you're human, you have needs and wants.

If you're alive, you're vulnerable.

Someone just needs to elicit your criteria ...

[lakshaybehl]

Its just like "As Seen on TV"

See- When someone places an ad on TV, they're doing what? Paid advertising, isn't it?

If you have a big enough budget, you can go to get an infomercial created and TV ad placed, and then you can place "As seen on TV" thingy on your site.

Similarly, if you advertise on Google, Yahoo or MSN... or have a few videos up there on Youtube... then why's that all that different from having "As seen on TV" when you place an ad on TV?

It's the EXACT same thing.

The ads are being seen on Google... The infomercials are being seen on Youtube.

It adds to the credibility, and definitely helps with conversions. I don't see anything wrong with it.

Are you lying? No.
Are you sounding like something that's not true? No.
Are you cheating anyone? No.
Does Youtube have a problem with people saying "As seen on Youtube"? No.

At least that's the way I see it.

Peeps tell me it helps with conversions.

You guys invest in "secure" seals don't you?

This is just one more secure seal. One that doesn't cost money.

-Lakshay

[Alan Petersen]

I just saw one that had "As Seen On Twitter, FaceBook, LinkedIn..." now that's impressive.

I first noticed it on the maverick money makers site and now it's all over the place. Baaaa...sheep. I know one person who uses it so I asked and he said he heard it increases conversion rates so he put it on there but he had no stats just heard it through the grapevine like Marvin Gaye.

[James Pateman]

It would be interesting to do a split test to see what the effect on conversions is, by using the words ‘As Seen on Google, Yahoo, MSN and Youtube’
Regards,
James Pateman

[theimdude]

Just marketing, nothing to do with ethical, legal. If you have a you tube video and it was viewed a 1 time it was seen on youtube, if you have an article on the ezine it was seen on ezine etc.

If you site is in google it was seen in google

Where was it seen in the street?

If you said it was seen on bbc news and it wasn't then it is wrong.

I think it is cool

[IM Headlines]

It's a copywriting trick.

People will be more prone to buy when they see the names of big
companies such as google, yahoo etc...

And, It looks pretty attractive on a landing page. The first time that
I saw this, was on an salespage of an IM product. I'm not the
kind of guy that gets sucked in on things that easily, but this one
really did the trick.

And don't forget that I'm a marketer. Many individuals will
get sucked in even more.

NOTE: I'm talking about this from a "marketing perspective" and I'm
not saying if it is ethical or not.

[Martin Luxton]

If the site you are associating with has authority and brand recognition it can help reassure prospects that you are reputable.

It doesn't mean you ARE reputable, it just helps to create a good impression.

Nothing wrong with it if it's true but if you changed "as seen on Google" to "as featured on Google" that would be very naughty.

Martin

[Aitor Astobieta]

Marketing is about perception.

Only you know the reality behind the perception, but what matters is the impression created in the user's mind.

When someone puts "as seen on Google", it gives the product a certain aura of credibility.

Whether it's true or not, that's another matter.

I remember that before I learned about Internet marketing, I actually fell for these kinds of claims. They do work on people who are naive or don't know much about Internet marketing, or just plain old marketing!

But now that I am more experienced, I do not fall for such hype. Plus, I do not want to make false claims for my products, even though they might attract more attention.

You can see this tactic being used all over the offline world, too, as previously mentioned.

[sbucciarel]

I haven't seen that, but my first impression would be you've got to be kidding... who isn't seen on Google, Yahoo, Youtube, MSN? Credibility instantly takes a downward dive.

[thezone]

Originally Posted by yourreviewer

I have seen quite a number of sites lately that have 'As seen on Google, Yahoo, MSN and Youtube'. Can anyone care to elaborate what it really means and if it would constitute deceptive marketing?

It means they are indexed by google, indexed by yahoo, indexed by MSN's bing and have a video or more on youtube.

[Matt Maiden]

Originally Posted by Alan Petersen

I just saw one that had "As Seen On Twitter, FaceBook, LinkedIn..." now that's impressive.

Alan, just imagine an offline business owner seeing on your business card
"John Q. Internetmarekter Has 320 Twitter Followers"

Or, "John Q. Internetmarekter Has Been Linked By 415 FaceBook Users"

"Let me show you how you can do it too!"

Matt

[Ludovic]

All that matters is that it will improve your sales by adding credibility and trust to a majority of your targeted audience. Worrying too much about the meaning behind it will not make you're business better, but limit its potentials. In internet marketing, you should always experiment in a unique way and do whatever that is possible to optimize your website for sale conversions.

-Ludovic

[Kevin Riley]

This doesn't work. I have the following on my sites and I've seen a reduction in conversions. Can't figure out why:

"Kevin Riley. As seen on America's Most Wanted, FBI Top 10 List, and post office walls"

Any advice?

[Mike Anthony]

Originally Posted by Kevin Riley

This doesn't work. I have the following on my sites and I've seen a reduction in conversions. Can't figure out why:

"Kevin Riley. As seen on America's Most Wanted, FBI Top 10 List, and post office walls"

Any advice?

You need a GOOD copywriter. You can't just put the truth out there like that

Kevin Riley - The Most Sought after Internet Marketer Shares His Secrets Before Putting Them in The Vault FOREVER.

Its all about The Spin baby.

[tomw]

Originally Posted by Martin Luxton

If the site you are associating with has authority and brand recognition it can help reassure prospects that you are reputable.

It doesn't mean you ARE reputable, it just helps to create a good impression.

Nothing wrong with it if it's true but if you changed "as seen on Google" to "as featured on Google" that would be very naughty.

Martin

Hmm...and how, may I ask, are we to view the comments in this particular thread of a man who bills himself as,

"AS SEEN ON BBC TV,"

Mr. Luxton?



Tom.

[Frank Donovan]

Originally Posted by tomw

Hmm...and how, may I ask, are we to view the comments in this particular thread of a man who bills himself as,

"AS SEEN ON BBC TV,"

Mr. Luxton?

To be fair, he could have been in the crowd on "Match Of The Day"



Frank

[tomw]

Originally Posted by Frank Donovan

To be fair, he could have been in the crowd on "Match Of The Day"

Frank

Nah...I'd like to think that he was moshing away to The Clash surrounded by rock chicks as one of those featured dancers on Top of The Pops. You know, like when they didn't have a video to play.

But knowing Martin he was probably interviewed by John Simpson. Either that or as an IMer with plenty of time on his hands during the day, he was on Bargain Hunt.



Tom

[tomw]

Originally Posted by Kevin Riley

"Kevin Riley. As seen on America's Most Wanted, FBI Top 10 List, and post office walls"

Any advice?

FBI? Oh...you mean Furry Beardy Infopreneurs?



Tom

[Frank Donovan]

Originally Posted by tomw

Nah...I'd like to think that he was moshing away to The Clash surrounded by rock chicks as one of those featured dancers on Top of The Pops. You know, like when they didn't have a video to play.

That's it! He used to be Babs from Pan's People.



Frank

[Bill Farnham]

Well, the title is certainly the most creative use of putting the word 'Honestly' and 'As Seen on Google, Yahoo, MSN and Youtube' in the same sentence.

I didn't think you could do that...

KJ

[tomw]

Originally Posted by Frank Donovan

That's it! He used to be Babs from Pan's People.

Frank

Haha! Classic! Yeah, Pan's People, I was trying to remember that name...I'm obviously far too young.



Tom

[Martin Luxton]

Originally Posted by tomw

Haha! Classic! Yeah, Pan's People, I was trying to remember that name...I'm obviously far too young.



Tom

You buggers! If you put that on my sidewiki I'll sue you

Actually, it was a five minute slot on BBC Breakfast News about people over 25 (cough, cough) starting new hobbies/careers. I got a free plug for my rock band.

My wife deleted the recording because she was convinced the female presenter was flirting with me (naming no names but the lady did very well on a ballroom dancing reality show a couple of years back).

Tom,

Welcome back. I suppose this is the part where I should say we missed you . . .

Martin

[Bev Clement]

Martin where's your sidewiki, you could then say Pan's People as seen on sidewiki

[Martin Luxton]

Originally Posted by Bev Clement

Martin where's your sidewiki, you could then say Pan's People as seen on sidewiki

Don't you start as well!

Martin

[Bev Clement]

Originally Posted by Martin Luxton

Don't you start as well!

Martin

Spoilsport

[JazzOscar]

Originally Posted by Mike Anthony

You need a GOOD copywriter. You can't just put the truth out there like that

Kevin Riley - The Most Sought after Internet Marketer Shares His Secrets Before Putting Them in The Vault FOREVER.

Its all about The Spin baby.

Or;

Kevin Riley - The Most Sought after Internet Marketer Shares His Secrets Before They're Putting Him in The Vault FOREVER.

[tomw]

Originally Posted by Martin Luxton

Tom,

Welcome back. I suppose this is the part where I should say we missed you . . .

Martin

Cheers Martin.

Missed you too, bud, as well as all of the other "money grabbing snake oil salesmen." That 1 vote was me, so you can probably discount it - sorry, couldn't resist...tut, you know me.



Site looks great, nice angle...

So, are you back in the UK?

Tom

[JohnMcCabe]

Originally Posted by Kevin Riley

This doesn't work. I have the following on my sites and I've seen a reduction in conversions. Can't figure out why:

"Kevin Riley. As seen on America's Most Wanted, FBI Top 10 List, and post office walls"

Any advice?

Yeah, drop the part about post office walls. Didn't you see the thread that said nobody uses mail anymore? Try this:

"Kevin Riley. As seen on America's Most Wanted, FBI Top 10 List and Hamster Life magazine."

Oh, and Chris Matthews is looking for an interview, too. Seems a hidden camera picked up Mr. Riley trying to slip an underage hamster some of Big Mike's Drunken Greek Hamster Chow...

[Raydal]

I posted a similar question about 2 weeks ago ...

What does "As Seen In ..." really mean?

-Ray Edwards

[MisterMunch]

Can you build a miniblog on Oprah.com and say that you have been featured on Oprah.com??

I do not think that would go home with Harpo.

Being seen on Google, only tells me that your site has been indexed.

[Ludovic]

Originally Posted by MisterMunch

Can you build a miniblog on Oprah.com and say that you have been featured on Oprah.com??

I do not think that would go home with Harpo.

Being seen on Google, only tells me that your site has been indexed.

But again your missing the whole point. It is not what you think, it is what the customer thinks. In most cases, they won't concentrate on the "as seen on..." Instead, they would read the rest of your salesletter. Since you have 20 seconds to grab your visitors attentions, the " as seen on" plays a major role in controlling the mood and interest of your visitors. Especially if it is a non-internet marketing niche, a lot of people won't know about google indexing, etc. This is one of the beneficial factors of non-niche markets. They're limited on the knowledge of marketing, which makes them easier to convert. So, I would say overall, the "As Seen On" will boost conversions on your salespage.

[lakshaybehl]

It always sounded like sort of "Kiddy" to me, though. Amateurish is the word?

You couldn't LOL at it, but it wasn't so bad, I feel. I mean they try... so lets just give them credit where its due.

-Lakshay