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Google sets one rule for affiliate marketers, another rule for corporate businesses

by Icematikx
38 replies
  • SEO
    • |
Here's one of the internet's biggest corporations version of "highly compelling content":
Air conditioner Reviews

"Consumer Reports is the best place to come to find expert Air conditioner reviews. We review different types of Air conditioners. Our Air conditioner reviews will help you decide what Air conditioner is best for you."

They rank #1. They charge their visitors for access to their reviews.

Mark my words, they'll still be #1 in 3-years to come.
#affiliate #businesses #corporate #google #marketers #rule #sets
  • Profile picture of the author nik0
    Banned
    Originally Posted by Icematikx View Post

    Here's one of the internet's biggest corporations version of "highly compelling content":
    Air conditioner Reviews

    "Consumer Reports is the best place to come to find expert Air conditioner reviews. We review different types of Air conditioners. Our Air conditioner reviews will help you decide what Air conditioner is best for you."

    They rank #1. They charge their visitors for access to their reviews.

    Mark my words, they'll still be #1 in 3-years to come.
    Oh I thought it was free to sign up, nonetheless I was f*cking surprised a couple of days ago when I clicked to read some actual reviews and got directed to some sign up page, really wtf.

    There are ways around it btw, but then they censor some comparsion pictures, i think they do that so that it's still available for Google's crawlers.
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  • Profile picture of the author Icematikx
    Apart from basically forcing users to sign-up, they stuff their pages with crap. If that was on my site, I'd be deindexed within a month.
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  • Profile picture of the author jinx1221
    Google keeps these sites at #1 just to keep us entertained. What fun would seo be if there weren't a few laughs?
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    • Profile picture of the author Mike Anthony
      LOL it took shorter than I thought.

      So marketers ARE concerned with what ranks for certain keywords? Why you complaining about that site ranking. We don't want to censor the poor site from having its first page ranking do we?
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      • Profile picture of the author paulgl
        Consumer Reports IS the best place for that...

        Yes, I always say that many, many sites break a lot of myths...

        Consumer Reports has never been free, but a lot of other
        sites are giving so much in free content per month, then
        you get blocked or pay.

        I don't know why google must send you to a site that offers
        free stuff...

        But I guess nobody has heard that google allows subscription
        stuff to be crawled...and many do it with just the "first page,"
        whatever the definition of that is that the website chooses.
        They call it "first click free."


        You are getting preview pages. Perfectly legit. That is,
        google will crawl and index these preview pages. The more
        sites go for paid content, the more this stuff will appear.

        Consumer Reports is a quasi-news site, and many news sites are
        rapidly moving to this.

        Just a side note. Consumer Reports accepts no paid advertising.

        Amazon offers free page views of books. Hopefully, nobody really
        thinks they are going to get the whole book free...

        Affiliate sites are free to do whatever they wish with their paid content,
        just like Consumer Reports.

        Paul
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        • Profile picture of the author Mike Anthony
          Originally Posted by paulgl View Post

          Consumer Reports IS the best place for that...
          I don't know why google must send you to a site that offers
          free stuff...
          I don't know why anyone would cry about Consumer reports ranking at all. They have earned an incredible amount of respect. There is no marketer's site that even comes close to their credibility in the eyes of the public.
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          • Profile picture of the author paulgl
            Originally Posted by Mike Anthony View Post

            I don't know why anyone would cry about Consumer reports ranking at all. They have earned an incredible amount of respect. There is no marketer's site that even comes close to their credibility in the eyes of the public.
            ROTFLMAO! Do we actually need an IMer making a site on air conditioner
            reviews? Hardly. I suspect if you were an air conditioner retailer or
            installer, yes. But IM? Um...sorry, no.

            Many sites, especially yahoo, regulary run articles from CR. For free.

            CR IS THE PLACE for this stuff.

            Paul
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      • Profile picture of the author Marc_L
        Originally Posted by Mike Anthony View Post

        LOL it took shorter than I thought.

        So marketers ARE concerned with what ranks for certain keywords? Why you complaining about that site ranking. We don't want to censor the poor site from having its first page ranking do we?
        Wow, this is Aunt May weak. That n-mania thread really got to you huh?
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        • Profile picture of the author Mike Anthony
          Originally Posted by Marc_L View Post

          Wow, this is Aunt May weak. That n-mania thread really got to you huh?
          LOl so you are in this thread too? Great Give us your input as to why this site ranking is wrong Marc. The OP thinks so I don't think so and thats what the thread is about.

          Stay on topic now

          Whats wrong with the content?
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          • Profile picture of the author Marc_L
            Originally Posted by Mike Anthony View Post

            LOl so you are in this thread too? Great Give us your input as to why this site ranking is wrong Marc. The OP thinks so I don't think so and thats what the thread is about.

            Stay on topic now

            Whats wrong with the content?
            Why do I have to comment on why something is wrong when I in no way indicated that it is wrong?
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            • Profile picture of the author Mike Anthony
              Originally Posted by Marc_L View Post

              Why do I have to comment on why something is wrong when I in no way indicated that it is wrong?
              Why comment in a thread if you are not going to contribute to the thread topic? You can say whether you disagree with marketers complaining about sites ranking and their content or you can comment on the OP's site example either way - pro or con.

              The infatuation following me from thread to thread commenting on me or what gets to me is kind a creepy dude. Stay on the subject of a thread.
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              • Profile picture of the author pasik
                Ok, the introduction part of the content is outrageously over-optimized.

                However, as Mike Anthony said, Consumer Reports has earned their credibility (both consumers and search engines) in the past. The user reviews are real and honest so, yes, I'd say they deserve their rankings.

                ps. By the way, you can read the user reviews for free.
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              • Profile picture of the author Marc_L
                Originally Posted by Mike Anthony View Post

                Why comment in a thread if you are not going to contribute to the thread topic? You can say whether you disagree with marketers complaining about sites ranking and their content or you can comment on the OP's site example either way - pro or con.

                The infatuation following me from thread to thread commenting on me or what gets to me is kind a creepy dude. Stay on the subject of a thread.
                C'mon you brought that other thread over here and you did so in a stupid way. You like to do that I guess.

                Go ahead and continue making idiotic posts if that is what you want to do. I won't continue the derail you already started. Oh, I comment on your posts because of how absolutely stupid some of them are.
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                • Profile picture of the author Mike Anthony
                  Originally Posted by Marc_L View Post

                  C'mon you brought that other thread over here and you did so in a stupid way. You like to do that I guess.
                  and still not a post in this thread on the topic

                  I commented on the topic of the post. People do that all the time and relate it to other previous threads. It was on topic (doesn't matter that you don't like the POV) and not a single comment of yours in this thread is. DO I think most of your posts are stupid?Yep just quoted one and judging by your post to thanks count theres no doubt who people see as providing more value but right now you are bordering on breaking board rules following me from thread to thread.

                  Have an issue with me you need to get off your chest IN A CONSTRUCTIVE MANNER then PM me. If not you need to contribute something to a topic in a thread.
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                  • Profile picture of the author Marc_L
                    Originally Posted by Mike Anthony View Post

                    Have an issue with me you need to get off your chest IN A CONSTRUCTIVE MANNER then PM me. If not you need to contribute something to a topic in a thread.
                    I hadn't realized you had become a mod.

                    But if you'd like to quibble then I can quibble. My view is that you inappropriately connected this thread with another one that really had nothing do with this one. So I was on topic.
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                    • Profile picture of the author Mike Anthony
                      Originally Posted by Marc_L View Post

                      I hadn't realized you had become a mod.

                      But if you'd like to quibble then I can quibble. My view is that you inappropriately connected this thread with another one that really had nothing do with this one. So I was on topic.
                      You are not a mod either so your "inappropriately" means squat. They are connected - both were references to results that the OPs did not think should be ranking. Its part of topic that is directly about the OP - when should marketers complain about results if they want to be effective or productive or have them changed.

                      I am not the topic of the thread as much as you try in every thread this week Marc, Read the OP

                      Still not one post on the topic of the thread. Go for five
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                      • Profile picture of the author PerformanceMan
                        Originally Posted by Mike Anthony View Post

                        You are not a mod either so your "inappropriately" means squat. They are connected - both were references to results that the OPs did not think should be ranking. Its part of topic that is directly about the OP - when should marketers complain about results if they want to be effective or productive or have them changed.

                        I am not the topic of the thread as much as you try in every thread this week Marc, Read the OP

                        Still not one post on the topic of the thread. Go for five
                        Why don't you run for Mod at least? I think you'd make a good one.
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                      • Profile picture of the author Marc_L
                        Originally Posted by Mike Anthony View Post

                        You are not a mod either so your "inappropriately" means squat.
                        What it does mean is that I was on topic. You made a comment about the OP and I was saying it wasn't legit to connect the two threads like you did.
                        They are connected - both were references to results that the OPs did not think should be ranking. Its part of topic that is directly about the OP - when should marketers complain about results if they want to be effective or productive or have them changed.
                        Most of the people in that other thread were talking about the site getting deindexed, not for its ranking or not ranking.
                        I am not the topic of the thread as much as you try in every thread this week Marc, Read the OP

                        Still not one post on the topic of the thread. Go for five
                        No you aren't but comments you made in the thread are.
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                        • Profile picture of the author Mike Anthony
                          Most of the people in that other thread were talking about the site getting deindexed
                          The Op of that thread among other things suggested it should not rank just like this one. Whine some more. they are connected.

                          At any rate Marc - you have not made a SINGLE SOLITARY POST ......LOL .....on the subject of the Op. Its comical you think you can swing that you have been on the topic of this thread with doing nothing but whining about what I have done and what I like.
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                          • Profile picture of the author Marc_L
                            Originally Posted by Mike Anthony View Post

                            Marc you have not made SINGLE SOLITARY POST ......LOL on the subject of the Op. Its comical you think you can swing that you have been on the topic of this thread with doing nothing but whining about what I have done and what I like.
                            Mike, it isn't your job to make sure everybody is on topic to the OP. Your job is to express your opinion and mine is to do the same. The OP complaining about the ranking of a site isn't related to the thread started by nest, in my opinion. That is on topic just as much as your post was. Now will you please stop posting about whether I am on topic or not?
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                            • Profile picture of the author TZ
                              Consider your words marked

                              But anyway.....in this business you have to let go of the idea called "fair".

                              Like a divorce lawyer once said to me in a thick Chinese accent,

                              "HA HA HA.....how mucha a jusdiss can you affooooord".

                              Spam Crap Site = Any Site Higher Than Mine in Google.

                              I look at it this way - every dog has it's day, and if you are a full timer you will see great months and years. You will also see some real duds too (unless you really got your shit together).
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                            • Profile picture of the author Mike Anthony
                              Originally Posted by Marc_L View Post

                              Mike, it isn't your job to make sure everybody is on topic to the OP.
                              NO but it will be my job to report you as a forum stalker if you follow me into one more thread trying to make me the subject of the thread. You've gone seven posts all on MA and you pretty much started that in another thread.

                              ALL my posts have to do with this thread. Even when I alluded to the other discussion IT WAS PRECISELY about the claim the OP made in this thread about not ranking

                              You have YET to make one comment about the OP. You are fooling no one.
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  • Profile picture of the author konakid
    I also think the reviews at consumer reports are reliable. They've built up their brand well and are a fairly standard go to place for reviews. Just because they are a paid site doesn't mean Google shouldn't rank them.

    Google's job is to show the most relevant information for the search term, and this is probably it.
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    • Profile picture of the author Mike Anthony
      Originally Posted by konakid View Post

      Just because they are a paid site doesn't mean Google shouldn't rank them.
      .
      Yes and as Paul pointed out their being a paid site is related to their objectivity. They stay more neutral by not running ads.

      Incidentally my original point stands and is very pertinent to this discussion. We have had multiple threads about sites that rank and complaints about them. marketers need to have some standard for the sites they question int he rankings.

      1)Is it because the site outranks me?
      2)Is it because its paid?
      3)Is it because its not relevant? (would be my vote - and yes even offensively not relevant)
      4) because of quality? (subject to a lot of subjectivity)

      right now the only consistency I see from marketers getting upset is because of number one and it just isn't going to solve any issues. Even if Google was listening they would only laugh.
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  • Profile picture of the author PerformanceMan
    At least you added to their lead by placing an exact match anchor link to them.
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  • Profile picture of the author PerformanceMan
    Consumer Reports is probably the world's leading authority on reviews and has a global Alexa rank of 2,571. Despite that, we're actually entertaining the idea from a butt-hurt internet marketer about why they rank and his 'air condition review' EMD does not.

    It's because of their actual authority and business capacity. People trust them and use their site for comparisons all the time.
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  • Profile picture of the author Marc_L
    Well to be fair, and we all know that you are fair Mike, I just made one post that I thought your comment connecting the two threads was poorly made. The last few posts have been the back and forth because you keep telling me I have been off topic and me responding. This is an open forum. I am not only posting in threads where you are posting so I'm not so sure you can say I am stalking you.

    Oh and I didn't make you the topic of the thread. I was talking about your post, not you personally.
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    • Profile picture of the author TZ
      I hate it when threads get hi-jacked for a bitch session.

      And yes....I'm guilty too sometimes.

      And yes....Google will always have different rules for different domains, and what they base their algo on is subjective. Nature of the game.
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      • Profile picture of the author Mike Anthony
        LOL and still not one post on the topic of the OP. At any time whatsoever you could have replied to me, stated your no connection thesis AND made a comment about the OP within the same post. The fact that you have chosen 7 or 8 times to post nothing zilch about the Op shows you have no purpose here but to do a go around with me.

        For the sake of the thread I'll just ignore your further defenses on that subject
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        • Profile picture of the author Marc_L
          Originally Posted by Mike Anthony View Post

          LOL and still not one post on the topic of the OP. At any time whatsoever you could have replied to me, stated your no connection thesis AND made a comment about the OP within the same post. The fact that you have chosen 7 or 8 times to post nothing zilch about the Op shows you have no purpose here but to do a go around with me.
          Its hilarious how you can't see that you played any roll in the derail.
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          • Profile picture of the author yukon
            Banned
            Originally Posted by Marc_L View Post

            Its hilarious how you can't see that you played any roll in the derail.
            That's all he ever does is derail threads, that's his niche.
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  • Profile picture of the author yukon
    Banned
    Consumer Reports reviews have always been stupid, who the he$$ in their right mind needs to pay money for a review on a $300 air conditioner or whatever, either the product works or it doesn't. If it doesn't work it's going back to the store for a refund.

    I remember browsing their magazine in offline bookstore back in the 1980's & thinking WTH is this crap.

    I guess some people can't think on their own & need another persons approval before buying anything. Rock on...
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    • Profile picture of the author Mike Anthony
      Originally Posted by yukon View Post

      Consumer Reports reviews have always been stupid, who the he$$ in their right mind needs to pay money for a review on a $300 air conditioner or whatever, either the product works or it doesn't. If it doesn't work it's going back to the store for a refund.
      You do know that adults don't like to install air conditioners have them work for a while and then have to yank em out again and carry them back for a refund right?

      and

      You do know that when adults buy things from stores like air conditioners if they don't carry them back to the store within a certain time (after which they might still die out if they are a bad model) the store will not take them back and the warranty must be used (resulting in days of no air conditioner) right?

      People don't now or in the past buy CP for one review either. Its sold mostly by subscription to adults that review multiple products over the term of the subscription

      sigh.....its going to be a rough summer break on here.
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      • Profile picture of the author yukon
        Banned
        Originally Posted by Mike Anthony View Post

        You do know that adults don't like to install air conditioners have them work for a while and then have to yank em out again and carry them back for a refund right?

        and

        You do know that when adults buy things from stores like air conditioners if they don't carry them back to the store within a certain time (after which they might still die out if they are a bad model) the store will not take them back and the warranty must be used (resulting in days of no air conditioner) right?

        People don't now or in the past buy CP for one review either. Its sold mostly by subscription to adults that review multiple products over the term of the subscription

        sigh.....its going to be a rough summer break on here.
        I guess Al Sharpton fanboys have no idea why department stores have a customer service dept.

        Stick with me, you'll learn something useful.
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        • Profile picture of the author Mike Anthony
          Originally Posted by yukon View Post

          Stick with me, you'll learn something useful.
          lI already did. I learned kids don't know that customer service departments won't except returns after a certain time period. Seriously, didn't know people didn't know that.
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    • Profile picture of the author jinx1221
      Originally Posted by yukon View Post

      Consumer Reports reviews have always been stupid, who the he$$ in their right mind needs to pay money for a review on a $300 air conditioner or whatever, either the product works or it doesn't. If it doesn't work it's going back to the store for a refund.

      I remember browsing their magazine in offline bookstore back in the 1980's & thinking WTH is this crap.

      I guess some people can't think on their own & need another persons approval before buying anything. Rock on...
      They make people think they need to read a review on it, like they almost scare you into thinking you are going to get ripped off by some shady air conditioner guy out there lol! Not to stray off the subject, but what the heck is that Angies list commercials I keep seeing. You have to join their site for whatever amount just to read reviews, like a private club, or like all free reviews you read out there are bulls$%t.. some (ok most), admittedly so, but still. I dont know, apparently they have money to spend on commercials, so it must be a working model
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  • Profile picture of the author Theeban
    Because of the authority of the site, I guess, that site is ranking number one regardless of payment to read full reviews.

    What Google sees on this page? Air conditioner Reviews - This is more than enough along with authority to rank this page for that keyword..
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  • Profile picture of the author dreamtoreality
    And people wonder why this forum has turned to shit.

    As others have mentioned it's likely down to the site's authority; however, it would be nice if there was some sort of preview. While $30 a year isn't exactly much, if I'm planning to only make one purchase -i.e an air conditioner, I would much prefer to scour the internet to find everything I need to know to help me make the right decision, such as forums and free independent review sites. Going in-store is also going to help me out a lot.

    By the way, talk about keyword stuffing - Air conditioner Reviews
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