Be Careful What You Say...EZA Rules The World!

[Jeremy Kelsall]

I received an email this morning from EZA...and it was mildly entertaining

I've been a pretty outgoing voice with regards to the incompetence of the editors at EZA whenever the subject gets brought up - I basically don't hide the fact that I am of the opinion that I think they don't know that they are doing

Because of that...

EZA suspended my account

Now, I know what some of you are thinking!

"Jeremy, we know what you do with your articles", right?

WRONG.

I have not submitted a single piece of content to this account in months. I have no articles in the "most viewed" section - This account is completely above board.

People that work for me have accounts where content gets submitted to daily...My account doesn't - make sense?

So, to make a long story short, EZA has again proven themselves to be clowns...congratulations guys...You've sunk to a new low...Suspending the accounts of people who call you out on your incompetence. I must have missed that part of your TOS. lol

So, fair warning warriors. Watch what you say

[Kevin Williams]

Crap, I'd better go stop all of the pending articles I have about the incompetence of EZA. Kidding, but I agree - I'm moving on to alternatives such as Articlesbase.

[Jeremy Kelsall]

Originally Posted by Kevin Williams

Crap, I'd better go stop all of the pending articles I have about the incompetence of EZA. Kidding, but I agree - I'm moving on to alternatives such as Articlesbase.

EZA is a very small portion of what I do...so much so that I usually don't give them a second thought. The email was entertaining though.

[Steven Wagenheim]

Which is why I have nothing but great things to say about Chris and his
crew.

All kidding aside, I can count on one hand the number of problems I've had
with article rejections since I've been using EZA. And the few problems I've
had all got cleared up quickly or, after an explanation of why the article
can't be accepted (such as "we don't allow such topics") I simply delete the
submission and put it on my blog. No big deal.

EZA is just another site I use in my arsenal of promotional mediums. I don't
live and die with them like I used to when I first started. Now, my stuff is
all over the place.

But like I said, I really can't complain about their service or I wouldn't bother
using them.

Anyway, sorry to hear about your suspension.

[yourreviewer]

Goodness me Jeremy. This is so f***ed up. I know people will say its their directory and they can do whatever they want, but this in my humble opinion crosses the line.

[Jeremy Kelsall]

Originally Posted by yourreviewer

Goodness me Jeremy. This is so f***ed up. I know people will say its their directory and they can do whatever they want, but this in my humble opinion crosses the line.

It doesn't really matter to me much. The people that I pay to write content have accounts

I was more trying to warn others who might share their negative experiences that by doing so...Your account is in danger of being suspended.

So, be sure to only share your positive experiences

[Dan C. Rinnert]

Originally Posted by Steven Wagenheim

Which is why I have nothing but great things to say about Chris and his
crew.

Me too. LOL!

Seriously, though, I've been very happy with EZA lately, especially regarding turnaround times.

Originally Posted by yourreviewer

Goodness me Jeremy. This is so f***ed up. I know people will say its their directory and they can do whatever they want, but this in my humble opinion crosses the line.

It is their directory and they can do whatever they want... Especially if you are abusing the system.

I agree with Steven W.

James

[yourreviewer]

Reminds me of the line from the movie, "The Usual Suspects"

Cop: I can put you in Queens on the night of the hijacking.

Hockney: Really? I live in Queens, did you put that together yourself, Einstein? Got a team of monkeys working around the clock on this?

[Jason Matthews]

Thanks for the heads up Jeremy,
I've submitted many ezine articles but haven't had, what I now is, the displeasure of dealing with EZA. Or if I have then I didn't pay much attention to it or I know what it is but don't seem to really care at the moment. At any rate I appreciate the heads up and will be more vigilant w/ my articles from now on.
Regards,
-J

[Marhelper]

Originally Posted by TheRichJerksNet

It is their directory and they can do whatever they want... Especially if you are abusing the system.

I agree with Steven W.

James

I agree. Just as Allen has the right to arbitrarily do as he wishes so does Chris Knight. I am sorry to hear about the suspension and glad that you did not put all your eggs in that one basket.

[Paul Schlegel]

Originally Posted by Jeremy Kelsall

I received an email this morning from EZA...and it was mildly entertaining

I've been a pretty outgoing voice with regards to the incompetence of the editors at EZA whenever the subject gets brought up - I basically don't hide the fact that I am of the opinion that I think they don't know that they are doing

Because of that...

EZA suspended my account

Now, I know what some of you are thinking!

"Jeremy, we know what you do with your articles", right?

WRONG.

I have not submitted a single piece of content to this account in months. I have no articles in the "most viewed" section - This account is completely above board.

People that work for me have accounts where content gets submitted to daily...My account doesn't - make sense?

So, to make a long story short, EZA has again proven themselves to be clowns...congratulations guys...You've sunk to a new low...Suspending the accounts of people who call you out on your incompetence. I must have missed that part of your TOS. lol

So, fair warning warriors. Watch what you say

I just read through the TOS to see if there might be any alternative explanation for the suspension, but as far as I can tell, I don't see one.

Of course if that was the reason, I don't see how it would have any impact on your outspokeness.

[Jeremy Kelsall]

Originally Posted by TheRichJerksNet

It is their directory and they can do whatever they want... Especially if you are abusing the system.

I agree with Steven W.

James

Indeed - BUT if you are going to start suspending accounts because someone said something negative about your directory....Then what?

As I've mentioned 3 times now - My account is COMPLETELY ABOVE BOARD.

Again, my post is to serve mainly as a warning to anyone that relies on EZA not to publicly criticize them...or your account may be suspended.

[Jeremy Kelsall]

Originally Posted by markquinn

I just read through the TOS to see if there might be any alternative explanation for the suspension, but as far as I can tell, I don't see one.

Of course if that was the reason, I don't see how it would have any impact on your outspokeness.

Oh....it won't

I'll be even more vocal now and will likely "spill the beans" on other avenues that I've used to monetize EZA errr...I mean, other article marketing strategies.

Thanks for the push in the right direction EZA.

[zerofill]

Feeling pressure from places like ArticlesBase cracking the whip and stealing serp spots hehe.

Ahh... if you get suspended and your niche isn't relationships, reverse cell, or criminal background checks...you'll be fine with other directories anyway lol

Guess the moral of the story is...don't base your business solely on article marketing anyway...and if it is 80% of your business don't rely on just one directory....and we don't hehe

[Diana Lane]

I've never had an EZA submission rejected (admittedly I don't write that many), but I've always said that if it happened I wouldn't jump through the hoops demanded by them in order to make an article acceptable, I'd just delete the submission, use it elsewhere and move on.

I was stunned to read somewhere that Chris of EZA says that such deletions are a blatant 'admission of guilt'. Guilt? Clearly I'm not taking this stuff seriously enough. If and when such a situation arises then I will hold my hands up and confess, pleading guilty to being unwilling to indulge in protracted periods of literary acrobatics just to get an article accepted by a single directory.

EZA don't rule the world, they only think they do. I've a feeling that if less of the collective article writing efforts of the IM community were directed at them they'd realise pretty quickly that their occupancy of the throne is just an illusion and some of the contenders to the crown are closer than they'd like to think they are.

Having said that, I agree that it's their directory to do as they please with, much as it's up to us to decide where we want to submit our content. I'd just rather we weren't seen as 'guilty' for deciding EZA sometimes doesn't justify the effort involved.

[Jeremy Kelsall]

Originally Posted by Diana Lane

I've never had an EZA submission rejected (admittedly I don't write that many), but I've always said that if it happened I wouldn't jump through the hoops demanded by them in order to make an article acceptable, I'd just delete the submission, use it elsewhere and move on.

I was stunned to read somewhere that Chris of EZA says that such deletions are a blatant 'admission of guilt'. Guilt? Clearly I'm not taking this stuff seriously enough. If and when such a situation arises then I will hold my hands up and confess, pleading guilty to being unwilling to indulge in protracted periods of literary acrobatics just to get an article accepted by a single directory.

EZA don't rule the world, they only think they do. I've a feeling that if less of the collective article writing efforts of the IM community were directed at them they'd realise pretty quickly that their occupancy of the throne is just an illusion and some of the contenders to the crown are closer than they'd like to think they are.

Having said that, I agree that it's their directory to do as they please with, much as it's up to us to decide where we want to submit our content. I'd just rather we weren't seen as 'guilty' for deciding EZA sometimes doesn't justify the effort involved.

I tried to warn you....Your SCREWED now....

I can already see the email being drafted to suspend your account lol

[zerofill]

Originally Posted by Diana Lane

I was stunned to read somewhere that Chris of EZA says that such deletions are a blatant 'admission of guilt'. Guilt? Clearly I'm not taking this stuff seriously enough.

heh it makes you answer why you are deleting the article...my reply always was: Because I feel like it... or nunya

[Marhelper]

I wonder if Chris will pop in and somehow enlighten us on this incident whether in specific or general terms?

[Diana Lane]

Originally Posted by Jeremy Kelsall

I tried to warn you....Your SCREWED now....

I can already see the email being drafted to suspend your account lol

In which case I shall return the email with a note to say that it fails to meet my required word count, and that my inbox is currently not accepting submissions that fall within the 'account suspension' category

[GeorgR.]

Suspending the accounts of people who call you out on your incompetence.

Jeremy, i really don't get it.

What do you expect? Getting promoted to Premium by calling them out?

I also have no information about why you think those editors are "incompetent", so i can't comment on that. I think you're acting a little childish now with "oh you clowns wont get me" etc..etc... Sigh...

[Jeremy Kelsall]

Originally Posted by GeorgR.

Jeremy, i really don't get it.

What do you expect? Getting promoted to Premium by calling them out?

I expected an extra mug for providing feedback...is that too much to ask?

Originally Posted by GeorgR.

I also have no information about why you think those editors are "incompetent", so i can't comment on that. I think you're acting a little childish now with "oh you clowns wont get me" etc..etc... Sigh...

Childish? Possibly. But, the fact that they suspended an account with no activity against their TOS annoys me slightly.

[AverageGuy]

just curious, how do they know it is your account? simply because you used the name that you use at WF? is it weird? could it be because of other reasons?



david

[Jeremy Kelsall]

Originally Posted by AverageGuy

just curious, how do they know it is your account? simply because you used the name that you use at WF? is it weird? could it be because of other reasons?



david

Yes, the account is in my name....

I want to make something perfectly clear about this:

1. The articles are for the most part in excess of 400 words
2. They are not spun
3. All of them fall into categories that are acceptable to EZA
4. I have not used this account for at least 30 days - more than likely 90 days.
5. To my knowledge not a single article in the account is in the most viewed, published, or any other list you can think of.

The email that I got from EZA was very accusatory and made accusations that were simply NOT TRUE. If I were doing anything "wrong" I would have just shrugged my shoulders and said - "oh well, you play with fire, you get burned" - BUT THAT ISN'T THE CASE.

Again, I want to state again that while my OP might have been "childish" as has been pointed out, it was to serve as a warning for other members of this forum that if you speak negatively about EZA you run the risk of having your account suspended.

Luckily for me, this account doesn't matter to me - THEY CAN HAVE IT. As a matter of fact, I might delete all the articles myself if I feel froggy later on today.

[Valorie]

Well-
I read this thread a little too late.
-Valorie

[Ken Strong]

Originally Posted by Jeremy Kelsall

As a matter of fact, I might delete all the articles myself if I feel froggy later on today.

You can't log in -- your account's been suspended.

[WritingMadwoman]

WOW Jeremy, did they say that was the reason for the suspension, or did they give another reason? Just curious how they would word it..."Thou shalt not talk smack about EZA..."?? I hope I'm not in trouble, I did just post a mini-complaint about them - first one ever! But overall I can't complain about my own experiences with them (unless I get the same letter you got, then I'll come back and complain a lot more...lol).

Wendy

[Jeremy Kelsall]

Originally Posted by WritingMadwoman

WOW Jeremy, did they say that was the reason for the suspension, or did they give another reason? Just curious how they would word it..."Thou shalt not talk smack about EZA..."?? I hope I'm not in trouble, I did just post a mini-complaint about them - first one ever! But overall I can't complain about my own experiences with them (unless I get the same letter you got, then I'll come back and complain a lot more...lol).

Wendy

Here is the initial email I got...

From: EzineArticles.com Support <support-reply@ezinearticles.com>
> Subject: [#369385] Your EzineArticles Account - Suspended Status
> To: "Jeremy Kelsall" <>
> Date: Tuesday, November 24, 2009, 10:24 AM
> Hi Jeremy,
>
> Your account is currently in suspended status as we have
> reason to believe that you are inflating your article views
> through PPV (Pay Per View) which is against our terms of
> service.
>
> In addition, the articles on the account fail to deliver on
> the promise made in the title. ie. Reverse Cell Lookup,
> downloading Wii games, and background checks.
>
> Please provide an explanation as to what you are doing that
> is artificially inflating your article views by Wednesday
> November 25th, to avoid the removal of your account.


Maybe I can explain how it's done here in this thread so others can avoid the pitfalls.... ?


My reply was as follows:

From:
"Jeremy Kelsall" <>
Add sender to Contacts

To:
"EzineArticles.com Support" <support-reply@ezinearticles.com>


Penny, can you point out an article you feel I have inflated views to?

I have not even submitted an article on this account for over a month - probably longer.

Can you point out an article in my account that is even in the "most viewed" list?

Your accusations are baseless and I think you should look at the account as a whole before accusing me of doing something like this.

jeremy

[WritingMadwoman]

Ah, other reasons - I wondered! With the reasons they gave they should be able to tell you why they think the views are excessive at least.

Wendy

[Andy Hart]

Turns Out Maybe I Am Wrong??

you need to buy more WSOs...seriously...i think you missed some

You must be right, I tend to stay away from "those types" of WSO'S so maybe thats why.

Is this maybe one of them??

Jeremey Kelsall - Evil Article Marketing

Your still on my "Trusted" list Jeremy lol

Andy

[Jeremy Kelsall]

Originally Posted by Andy Hart

I wouldn't use the words "bad marketing" or "rule breaking" in the same sentence as jeremy kelsall.



Andy

Actually, The people that submit content for me have been known to push the limits a weeee bit...Not me personally though

[GeorgR.]

Originally Posted by Andy Hart

A little shocked by this thread to be honest.

Of all the people That I know the names of that actively use article marketing, Jeremy would be one of the last people I would of expected to have their account banned?

I wouldn't use the words "bad marketing" or "rule breaking" in the same sentence as Jeremy Kelsall.

you need to buy more WSOs...seriously...i think you missed some

[Jeremy Kelsall]

Originally Posted by GeorgR.

you need to buy more WSOs...seriously...i think you missed some

huh????

Only one which I guess relates directly to this issue - BUT, I'm not guilty in this case...I want a jury trial.

[Marc2008]

LOL get em Jeremy. Ezine does not rule google. Infact, google rules them and their about to be dethroned. Articlebase and Goarticles outranks them now.

[Rod Cortez]

I've stopped using EZA quite a while ago. I've found it much more lucrative in the long run to create my own digital real estate and combining it with paid advertising. If anyone wants to go from 6 to 7 or 8 figures faster than they ever thought possible they should seriously start looking at CPV and media buys.

EZA doesn't even rule .00000000000000000000000000000014777% of the digital world.

[Black Hat Cat]

Originally Posted by TheRichJerksNet

It is their directory and they can do whatever they want... Especially if you are abusing the system.

I agree with Steven W.

James

You're absolutely correct....Ezinearticles has the right to be as boneheaded as they want.....a right they take advantage of every chance they get.

Originally Posted by Black Hat Cat

You're absolutely correct....Ezinearticles has the right to be as boneheaded as they want.....a right they take advantage of every chance they get.

Good for them protecting their business from those that blatantly abuse it.. I do not submit to EZA and I have no need to do so but they do run a business and they have every right to protect that business.

Personally I think in my opinion Chris should go to a paid model only, it would correct a great deal of problems...

James

[Scott Ames]

So were you critical of them on this forum? Is that where they learned you thought they didn't know what they were doing, or was it an email?

I know some people are running into legal issues for things they say and post on FaceBook. Everyone is watching.

[Marc2008]

Originally Posted by Black Hat Cat

You're absolutely correct....Ezinearticles has the right to be as boneheaded as they want.....a right they take advantage of every chance they get.

Jeremy never said he cared about their rights as a business to be boneheads. In fact, I know he does not. He's just sitting back laughing his a$$ of at them right now because they think they have hurt him with the suspension. LOL

On to ArticleBase and Goarticles.

[Jeremy Kelsall]

Originally Posted by Scott Ames

So were you critical of them on this forum? Is that where they learned you thought they didn't know what they were doing, or was it an email?

I know some people are running into legal issues for things they say and post on FaceBook. Everyone is watching.

Comments that I've made here on the forum and other forums I'm guessing.

I thought that by providing constructive feedback that I would get 2 mugs instead of 1

I guess I was wrong.

[Jeremy Kelsall]

Originally Posted by TheRichJerksNet

Good for them protecting their business from those that blatantly abuse it.. I do not submit to EZA and I have no need to do so but they do run a business and they have every right to protect that business.

James, no offense...

But, do you have a comprehension issue?

I've said repeatedly and I challenge anyone to prove me different that MY ACCOUNT IS 100% ABOVE BOARD and that their accusations are FALSE.

You are speaking like my account was in violation of their TOS - and IT IS NOT.

[GeorgR.]

Jeremy,

in all seriousness. Dont get me wrong, but i think you're making things even worse.

You said that you actually dont care about that one account, so from that point of view i dont understand what all the rave is about.

I could paste in one particular line from your WSO which (in my opinion) would be enough for the EZA people to suspend you - then add the fact that you "called them out" for whatever reason you might have - i am actually baffled that you didnt see this coming?

Also, i dont think that your actions on your "real" account are of issue here - i am sure that the EZA people followed certain threads here and they might also have a copy of your WSO...the rest is adding 1+1 together as well as statements you just made here in the thread. I dont think those people are *that* stupid?

Why didnt you just shut up when they canned that one account..instead of making it an even bigger issue here with ranting about how unfair they are?

If i had been in your position i would have NOT made a thread and then basically tell them they are idiots "because i have more people writing for me".....if things come worse they might find a way to find those other writers/articles also...

/sigh

[Jeremy Kelsall]

George,

There are many people on this forum that have said "negative" things about EZA. My post was made so that THEY did not get their accounts suspended...Basically, a warning to watch what they say.

If your logic holds true...and from your past WSO's...

Clickbank should ban your account?

All CPA networks should suspend you?

It's not about getting the account suspended...It's about the fact that they suspended an account that is as clean as can be. NO hint of any trickery,etc...

They suspended my account for comments that I've made...PERIOD.

There is no way that they can look at the performance of that account and come to the conclusion that anything out of the ordinary has been done.

So again I say - Watch what you say if your EZA account is easily traced back to you.

[Jeremy Kelsall]

Originally Posted by GeorgR.

Jeremy,



If i had been in your position i would have NOT made a thread and then basically tell them they are idiots "because i have more people writing for me".....if things come worse they might find a way to find those other writers/articles also...

/sigh

If it's not obvious at this point - I don't care.

EZA is only useful to me for a couple of niches - other than that...They can pound sand.

[JohnMcCabe]

I've been a pretty outgoing voice with regards to the incompetence of the editors at EZA whenever the subject gets brought up - I basically don't hide the fact that I am of the opinion that I think they don't know that they are doing

This is "positive feedback"? I'd hate to see what you'd say if you wanted to trash them...

Originally Posted by Jeremy Kelsall

Actually, The people that submit content for me have been known to push the limits a weeee bit...Not me personally though

Ah, "plausible deniability" strikes again...

Sounds a lot like the guy who was trying to justify buying pageviews by claiming he'd paid for righteous traffic, and if his contractor cheated, it wasn't his fault...

[Marhelper]

Originally Posted by JohnMcCabe

This is "positive feedback"? I'd hate to see what you'd say if you wanted to trash them...



Ah, "plausible deniability" strikes again...

Sounds a lot like the guy who was trying to justify buying pageviews by claiming he'd paid for righteous traffic, and if his contractor cheated, it wasn't his fault...

Ah ... rationalization, one of the great defense mechanisms.

[momkat]

Jeremy:

Did they remove the articles under the account? I have heard that this is happening as well.

[Jeremy Kelsall]

Originally Posted by JohnMcCabe

This is "positive feedback"? I'd hate to see what you'd say if you wanted to trash them...

It's the most positive thing I could think of

[Paul Myers]

Stop and think, folks...

Based on what has been said so far, none of us have any way to know if Jeremy's assumption is correct. None of us... including Jeremy.

He may be right. If so, it's something to be aware of. How you respond to that kind of decision making would be a personal choice.

He may also be wrong. The "reason to believe" might be related to a product or other published recommendation made by him. If his account was banned based on his recommending things which are considered destructive by the management of EZA, then I support their decision. Just as I would support banning an account here for posting advice on how to spam message boards, or any technique that violates the TOS of another site.

The second reason given is one you could easily check for yourself, if it's of interest. Do his articles provide usable advice on the subject, or are they primarily designed to get attention and act as teasers, to draw clicks?

There is nothing inherently wrong with the latter approach, but it may not be what EZA wants. If that's the challenge, it's a reasonable decision on their part. It may have nothing to do with any comment he's made, and be purely part of a clean-up process that affects a lot of people.

We don't know.

Theory 1: Jeremy's right.

Theory 2: Someone saw comments from him suggesting a technique they don't allow, and looked at his articles. They suspect the first, and discovered the second.

Theory 3: It's all part of an ongoing process, and has nothing to do with anything he said.

Theory 4: It's an interpretation by a single editor, and has nothing to do with any other person.

There are almost certainly other things it could be, too.

At this point, no-one outside of EZA knows. Including Jeremy. He's made an assumption which seems reasonable to him, but that's all it is.

Be careful about adjusting your behavior based on such things.


Paul

[GeorgR.]

we know why he was banned, he posted an email from eza earlier where they said why his account was suspended.