Article writers - just stop before you kill somebody!

98 replies
Man!

I was doing some research today for a project for one of my clients. I kept coming across articles written 'bum' style that had the most horrendous information.

One even advised that a cancer patient discontinued seeing their physician (and instead use their special concoction)!

I know the dude wants to make 20 bucks but holy shit, think about the actual person that might follow that advice...

It's downright scary.

Most of us get accused of being money hungry and over hyping things at some point but you have to be super careful about these types of things.

'Hey honey -- I put some poor guy in the hospital but I made my first 20 bucks online!'

Take it easy. Rant over.

Russ
#article #kill #stop #writers
  • Profile picture of the author Nightengale
    Was that article on EZA??? Surely someone's reviewing the content???

    I cannot imagine someone giving such bad advice. That's sooo frightening! Did the author use their own name for the byline? Somebody ought to report them and get the articles taken down STAT.

    Michelle
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    • Profile picture of the author Michael Oksa
      Originally Posted by Nightengale View Post

      Was that article on EZA??? Surely someone's reviewing the content???

      I cannot imagine someone giving such bad advice. That's sooo frightening! Did the author use their own name for the byline? Somebody ought to report them and get the articles taken down STAT.

      Michelle
      Hi Michelle,

      Nope. EZA, as a rule, does NOT review the accuracy of any content as far as I know. They have a full-time job just enforcing their easy to understand (and follow) terms of service.

      If EZA would start reviewing the content, then what would happen if someone experienced an ill effect from something that got past the editors? In that case, the author and reader could say that EZA reviewed the content - so it must have been OK.

      All the best,
      Michael
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    • Profile picture of the author megaresp
      Originally Posted by Nightengale View Post

      I cannot imagine someone giving such bad advice. That's sooo frightening! Did the author use their own name for the byline? Somebody ought to report them and get the articles taken down STAT.
      There is an entire community of people that spend most of their days fighting claims just like this. Those of a skeptical persuasion refer to it as 'woo'.

      An article or ad that advises people to stop seeing their doctor, and to use X instead, is giving medical advice. And that's illegal in the civilised world.
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  • Profile picture of the author Oscar D
    Great post.

    Hopefully this will make a few people think before they just write.

    This is why not all information must be trusted online
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  • Profile picture of the author Sven Schoene
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    • Profile picture of the author scrofford
      Originally Posted by Sven Schoene View Post

      Interesting thread, Russ. Posting stuff like that for a quick buck is so wrong.


      Actually, a lot of these bum marketers are submitting pure crap (which might even be spun with an article spinner a hundred times) over and over to these directories and to countless spam-blogs.


      Sorry, but if you do not provide unique value you do not deserve the money. This opinion might be rather unpopular around here for some people but I don't care. A lot of these SEO techniques are nothing other than pure spam and contribute zero value to the world. That sucks.
      And this is why I don't try to write 700 articles in a week or respin my stuff over and over....
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  • Profile picture of the author yourreviewer
    No wonder FTC comes up with their new rules and regulations. I agree it is a serious concern.
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  • Profile picture of the author Alican Yenidogan
    It is just funny what this topic is about and how people approve it. So Its like saying stop building websites just because of a few harmful websites... There are people who are GOOD at doing things and the opposite. Like there are good article spinners and bad article spinners.

    Come on...
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    • Profile picture of the author Russ Reynolds
      Originally Posted by Alican Yenidogan View Post

      It is just funny what this topic is about and how people approve it. So Its like saying stop building websites just because of a few harmful websites... There are people who are GOOD at doing things and the opposite. Like there are good article spinners and bad article spinners.

      Come on...
      You know I am not talking about the good guys dude...
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    • Profile picture of the author tommygadget
      Originally Posted by Alican Yenidogan View Post

      It is just funny what this topic is about and how people approve it. So Its like saying stop building websites just because of a few harmful websites... There are people who are GOOD at doing things and the opposite. Like there are good article spinners and bad article spinners.

      Come on...
      See, I kind of disagree with you. I build websites and submit articles, but I feel compelled to draw the line at GIVING ADVICE THAT MIGHT KILL SOMEBODY... That's all I'm saying; doesn't that give everyone enough latitude? Hmm?

      TomG.
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      • Profile picture of the author genietoast
        I don't remember where I got the information from, but I heard that Google was cracking down on keywords related to medicine/pharmaceutical-type niches. So if you're not really a certified authority, then it's going to be harder to try to promote those niches.

        I know that Squidoo will not allow you to write about any pharmaceuticals, including Hoodia, **** Berry, Weight Loss, etc.
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  • Profile picture of the author TelegramSam
    Originally Posted by Russ Reynolds View Post

    Man!

    I was doing some research today for a project for one of my clients. I kept coming across articles written 'bum' style that had the most horrendous information.

    One even advised that a cancer patient discontinued seeing their physician (and instead use their special concoction)!

    I know the dude wants to make 20 bucks but holy shit, think about the actual person that might follow that advice...

    It's downright scary.

    Most of us get accused of being money hungry and over hyping things at some point but you have to be super careful about these types of things.

    'Hey honey -- I put some poor guy in the hospital but I made my first 20 bucks online!'

    Take it easy. Rant over.

    Russ

    I understand what you are saying, but who are you to judge what is valid information and what isn't, especially in the field you mentioned?
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    • Profile picture of the author Russ Reynolds
      Originally Posted by TelegramSam View Post

      I understand what you are saying, but who are you to judge what is valid information and what isn't, especially in the field you mentioned?
      You don't think advising somebody to discontinue seeing their doctor when they have a life threatening condition is irresponsible?
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      • Profile picture of the author TelegramSam
        Originally Posted by Russ Reynolds View Post

        You don't think advising somebody to discontinue seeing their doctor when they have a life threatening condition is irresponsible?

        All I mean Russ is that there are a lot of Doctors who don't advocate chemo therapy for cancer etc. and do suggest you don't go down that route.

        If it worked 100% of the time then it would be irresponsible for sure, but it doesn't. Not even close.

        They advocate lifestyle changes, diet, exercise and such like. Not just a drink of weed juice or whatever.

        Just a point I was trying to make.

        What you or I may think is crap, for someone else it could be almost an epiphany.

        Sam
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        • Profile picture of the author Russ Reynolds
          Originally Posted by TelegramSam View Post

          All I mean Russ is that there are a lot of Doctors who don't advocate chemo therapy for cancer etc. and do suggest you don't go down that route.

          If it worked 100% of the time then it would be irresponsible for sure, but it doesn't. Not even close.

          They advocate lifestyle changes, diet, exercise and such like. Not just a drink of weed juice or whatever.

          Just a point I was trying to make.

          What you or I may think is crap, for someone else it could be almost an epiphany.

          Sam
          Hi Sam...I completely agree with you so I must not have made myself clear in my OP. I think it is fine, admiral even to suggest alternative treatments but I see no need to out and out tell the person to stop seeing the doctor.
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      • Profile picture of the author HeySal
        Originally Posted by Russ Reynolds View Post

        You don't think advising somebody to discontinue seeing their doctor when they have a life threatening condition is irresponsible?
        <semiofftopicrant>
        Actually - as a survivor I think it is the best advice to be given. </semiofftopicrant>

        <ON TOPIC>
        BUT..........I believe that advice is ILLEGAL. Any medical advice not given by a licensed physician or other officially approved individual or organization MUST be accompanied by a disclaimer whether it is a proven method or not.
        It is also ILLEGAL to claim anything is a "cure" unless it is a pharmaceutically registered drug.

        So the problem isn't always that the author has bad advice - it is a problem that they can get slammed with a lawsuit mighty fast if they don't cover their butts. The guy who wrote to "quit seeing a physician" could just wind up with a lawyer at his door no matter how sound his advice was or wasn't.
        </ON TOPIC>
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      • Profile picture of the author UKTim29
        Originally Posted by Russ Reynolds View Post

        You don't think advising somebody to discontinue seeing their doctor when they have a life threatening condition is irresponsible?
        I've got to admit, although your argument seems logical it does depend on the knowledge the article author has on the condition. As the post you refer to mentions, it all depends on who's the expert. The author might actually have some advice of real significance.
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    • Profile picture of the author scrofford
      Originally Posted by TelegramSam View Post

      I understand what you are saying, but who are you to judge what is valid information and what isn't, especially in the field you mentioned?
      Because you can tell what is usually CRAP and what isn't! And why would anyone listen to some article writer instead of their CANCER Doctor?
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  • Profile picture of the author edman
    I find that Russ's post is quite important actually.

    Articles are supposed to be informative, well researched, and should allow the writer show of his/her expertise in that domain.

    These days things have gone out of hand, people in an attempt to compete with the gazzilion articles published out there, go ahead to use the fastest way possible to creating articles... This can be to hire a cheap... sorry, in-experienced writer to do the writing, spin and respin content and ... why not respin one more time so the actual meaning is lost, without reviewing it.

    The web is plagued with low quality content that no one wants to read.. and just as Russ has pointed out, can even be harmful.

    This is a good wake up call to properly research your material before posting it live anywhere, as well aim to offer only quality to go with your name or pen name. It will always pay off.

    Well done Russ
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    • Profile picture of the author Tina Golden
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      • Profile picture of the author Russ Reynolds
        Originally Posted by TMG Enterprises View Post

        I completely agree that there is a lot of erroneous information put out in the name of article marketing and the directories are full of some of the worst of it.

        However, can you seriously blame the writer if someone follows the advice? People do have the responsibility of using their own brains before doing something so hare-brained.

        Would you follow the advice of some unknown article writer?

        Tina G
        Ultimately it is the readers responsibility to look after their own health but I still don't think that gives us a blank ticket to spew crap.

        I still think we have a moral responsibility to be careful about what we write.

        BTW - everybody makes mistakes - I do and I sure get called on the mat for it sometimes.
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      • Profile picture of the author Troy_Phillips
        Originally Posted by TMG Enterprises View Post

        I completely agree that there is a lot of erroneous information put out in the name of article marketing and the directories are full of some of the worst of it.

        However, can you seriously blame the writer if someone follows the advice? People do have the responsibility of using their own brains before doing something so hare-brained.

        Would you follow the advice of some unknown article writer?

        Tina G
        In this situation the customer may be grasping at straws and it could mean the difference in life or death .

        Bullshit me all you want when it comes to taking my money . Mess with my life and .... well you can take it from there
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      • Profile picture of the author whateverpedia
        Originally Posted by TMG Enterprises View Post

        However, can you seriously blame the writer if someone follows the advice? People do have the responsibility of using their own brains before doing something so hare-brained.
        Tina G
        First off i agree with you 10,000%. However...

        What would happen if someone acted on the "advice" in the article, and then sued the author after their situation worsened? Which way would the court go? For the author due to the reasons you mentioned, or against the author for publishing potentially lethal information?

        Obviously each case would be judged individually, so I don't know the answer either.

        What I do know is that if I were to give finanacial advice in an article I would first off need a license to give such advice, plus I would need to add all sorts of disclaimers to that advice. Without those it's jail time for me.

        I would assume that there are even more stringent rules/laws applying to medical advice, ie the author needs a medical qualification, and once again with all sorts of disclaimers.

        My OPINION (please note that word) is that when people are diagnosed with a life threatening illness, or facing finanacial ruin, they tend to become very desperate. Rational thought goes out the window. If something like this got to court, I'm sure (opinion again) the court would take into account the dilemma the "victim" finds themselves in and find for the "victim".

        Again, though, you are right that people should take responsibilty for themselves, and treat anything they find on the internet with a grain of sodium chloride (including, but not limited to what I have just written).

        All the best.
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        • Profile picture of the author Martin Luxton
          Originally Posted by whateverpedia View Post

          My OPINION (please note that word) is that when people are diagnosed with a life threatening illness, or facing financial ruin, they tend to become very desperate. Rational thought goes out the window.
          I would argue that you could replace "rational thought" with "conventional thought".

          If your doctor's mainstream treatment isn't working or making you worse, surely the rational thing is to look for an alternative. If you are desperate enough to do intensive research, that's good. If you are desperate enough to take the first alternative treatment you find, you're stupid. Even doctors advise you to get a second opinion.

          Yes, there are people who give alternative health a bad name. My own personal experience of taking **** berry is good, but scammy CPA offers are throwing the baby out with the bathwater.

          I did a healing course with a trainer following the National Federation of Spiritual Healers guidelines and that is light years away from the commercialized niche of Reiki.

          You can become a certified Reiki healer in one weekend. A Master in 3 weekends. Yes, with 3 weekends of Reiki training you can help people but a "Master" in 48 hours? Come on.

          Coming back to killing people, it's interesting the legal battle going on to stop the government killing people with the untested swine flu vaccine. Apparently they broke all their own safety rules in order to bring it to market as swiftly as possible.

          Urgent lawsuit filed against FDA to halt swine flu vaccines; claims FDA violated federal law by Mike Adams the Health Ranger

          Keep repeating the mantra:

          Marketers bad, government good


          Martin
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          • Profile picture of the author whateverpedia
            Originally Posted by Martin Luxton View Post

            I would argue that you could replace "rational thought" with "conventional thought".
            And I wouldn't argue with your argument Martin. I hope that none of us ever finds ourselves in that position.

            A decade or so ago my uncle had a mild heart attack, Whilst recovering in hospital the doctor came around and told him, "Well after that you're going to have to give up smoking".

            My uncle replied "I've never smoked in my life".

            The doc came back with "Oh", then wandered off and didn't make another appearance while my uncle was in there.

            Medical degree from a cornflakes packet by the sound of it.

            BTW My uncle is still alive and well today.
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            • Profile picture of the author sbucciarel
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              Originally Posted by whateverpedia View Post

              And I wouldn't argue with your argument Martin. I hope that none of us ever finds ourselves in that position.

              A decade or so ago my uncle had a mild heart attack, Whilst recovering in hospital the doctor came around and told him, "Well after that you're going to have to give up smoking".

              My uncle replied "I've never smoked in my life".

              The doc came back with "Oh", then wandered off and didn't make another appearance while my uncle was in there.

              Medical degree from a cornflakes packet by the sound of it.

              BTW My uncle is still alive and well today.


              It's amazing to see the medical profession, the government ... basically anybody who dares to get in the way of an Internet marketer in hot pursuit of the big bucks get badmouthed. Fact is, the doctor may have been wrong about why your uncle had a heart attack, but your uncle did survive it on his watch and is still living today, as you say. Wonder what the results would have been if he'd bought an ebook from some crackerjack with a Clickbank account instead of seeking medical help when he had his heart attack.
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              • Profile picture of the author whateverpedia
                Originally Posted by sbucciarel View Post

                It's amazing to see the medical profession, the government ... basically anybody who dares to get in the way of an Internet marketer in hot pursuit of the big bucks get badmouthed. Fact is, the doctor may have been wrong about why your uncle had a heart attack, but your uncle did survive it on his watch and is still living today, as you say. Wonder what the results would have been if he'd bought an ebook from some crackerjack with a Clickbank account instead of seeking medical help when he had his heart attack.
                I wasn't slagging off doctors, or anyone in the medical profession. I'm not even sure if that doc had anything to do with my uncle, he could've just been doing the rounds. My point was meant to be that doctors like everyone else are human.

                I may also be one of the few who welcomes the new laws. I'm sure we've all been ripped off at some time and the laws seem like they are being brought in to protect consumers, something I believe in whole heartedly.

                As for government intervention, what a pity that didn't happen on Wall St over the last few years. An even greater pity is, that despite the meltdown that loose regulation caused, no-one seems to be doing much to reign in the banks. Having got their bail out money, it's back to business as usual. In other words exactly the same thing will happen again. Only worse.

                All the best.
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                • Profile picture of the author sbucciarel
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                  Originally Posted by whateverpedia View Post

                  I wasn't slagging off doctors, or anyone in the medical profession. I'm not even sure if that doc had anything to do with my uncle, he could've just been doing the rounds. My point was meant to be that doctors like everyone else are human.

                  I may also be one of the few who welcomes the new laws. I'm sure we've all been ripped off at some time and the laws seem like they are being brought in to protect consumers, something I believe in whole heartedly.

                  As for government intervention, what a pity that didn't happen on Wall St over the last few years. An even greater pity is, that despite the meltdown that loose regulation caused, no-one seems to be doing much to reign in the banks. Having got their bail out money, it's back to business as usual. In other words exactly the same thing will happen again. Only worse.

                  All the best.

                  I welcome the new guide also, as long as they are being equitably applied. As they are written now, it seems to be a catch 22. There really isn't any way for an internet marketer to define "typical results" without paying a heap of money for market research and I don't think the guides are equally targeting TV ads as they are bloggers and online advertising.

                  I'm for consumer protection laws though and I think that Internet marketers should keep out of the medical niche, particularly when you're dealing with serious illness. There's enough money to be made in IM without profiting from people's misery and suffering.

                  There are also possible legal repurcussions from appearing to be giving medical advice when not qualified to do so. More than one Internet marketer has gotten into real hot water doing that.
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  • Profile picture of the author ASM Marketing
    It's tragic that the need to sell 'magical' cures has come to this... it's downright dangerous, and immoral, to play on somebodies desperation like this. To me this says two things; check your writer's work, or check yourself!

    - Research from authority sources for ANYTHING that requires specialist information such as certain medical and dietery niches, and I think we all know that cancer is one of them specialist areas.

    Thanks for the wake up call Russ,

    Alex
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  • Profile picture of the author Zanti
    I wasn't going to comment on this but I feel I have to.

    I agree with Russ on this. I do deal with a life threatening cancer. When I was first diagnosed I had a lot of well meaning friends say, "try this or that, Hey, I sell these vitamins and they will help you". I've always been a believer in alternative medicine and have found some things to help me, but I never gave up my team of Dr.'s at the Univ. of Mich. Cancer Center. If I had only listened to what other's were saying, I would have been out of money sooner and would not be alive today. Making a buck is not worth causing harm to anyone. That's one of the problems in IM and business as well. But that's for a another discussion.

    So, yes I think anyone who would say stop seeing your Dr. and just use this, is irresponsible and a threat.

    I have also seen a lot of really bad writing on EZA and it blows me away that people put their name and/or website on these articles, and get traffic. Now I don't have any articles yet, but I soon will have and each one will always be an article of quality, well written and proving help and information to the intended audience.

    Zanti
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  • Profile picture of the author Zanti
    One other thing, when some one is told that they have terminal cancer, often we don't think straight. We sometimes want to grab hold of anything that might prove the Dr.'s wrong and give us hope.

    So, yes I can blame the writer of this kind of misinformation. With cancer and other serious illnesses, people are not always in the best mind frame to make the best responsible decisions. And others will often prey on this vulnerable time of a person to make a quick buck.

    Ok, I'm done.

    Z
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    • Profile picture of the author edman
      Another good point...

      Of course misleading information may be part of some peoples strategy to make a buck, and no one can do anything about that

      However, whoever reads this thread and probably out of ignorance decided it was OK to publish anything on a sensitive topic should think again.


      Originally Posted by Zanti View Post

      One other thing, when some one is told that they have terminal cancer, often we don't think straight. We sometimes want to grab hold of anything that might prove the Dr.'s wrong and give us hope.

      So, yes I can blame the writer of this kind of misinformation. With cancer and other serious illnesses, people are not always in the best mind frame to make the best responsible decisions. And others will often prey on this vulnerable time of a person to make a quick buck.

      Ok, I'm done.

      Z
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  • Profile picture of the author jakesellers
    The point of EZA isn't factual information, 95% of it would be gone. It's just a big mass of Google bait. If it was about factual information it'd be more like Wikipedia, collaboratively edited, peer reviewed, with standards for citations, original research and information sources, and no backlinks promoting ebooks and mailing lists.
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    • Profile picture of the author Tina Golden
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      • Profile picture of the author sbucciarel
        Banned
        Originally Posted by TMG Enterprises View Post

        This is true. I never said it was ethical of the writer to do it because it's deplorable. I just think that people have to take a certain amount of responsibility on their own shoulders.

        Tina G
        People have all different levels of intelligence and some that are less endowed with intelligence than others are easily duped. They believe or want to believe anything that is written or typed. That's pretty much why the FTC has to mess in the IM and advertising business to start with. Lack of ethics in promoting products ... information that can rob you of your money and even your health.
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    • Profile picture of the author The Pension Guy
      Originally Posted by jakesellers View Post

      The point of EZA isn't factual information, 95% of it would be gone. It's just a big mass of Google bait.
      Yes, you know that and I know that... because we both are "expert authors" on EZA.

      But how would a desperate cancer patient know that all that BS posted by "experts" is just google bait???

      My wife is a cancer survivor. Plus, she is a medical doctor working full time. Nevertheless, you could never imagine the quantity of idiotic articles, forum posts and other "expert" materials she was able to dig up from the internet in her most desperate, sleepless wee hours... Trust me, many times I wished I had an Uzi and pay a visit to those experts that play with our biggest fear (of death) and abuse the desperation of ill people.

      I want to make as much money with IM as anybody else. Just not at any price.
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    • Profile picture of the author Michael Taylor
      Originally Posted by jakesellers View Post

      If it was about factual information it'd be more like Wikipedia, collaboratively edited, peer reviewed, with standards for citations, original research and information sources...
      You're talking about Wikipedia.org?
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  • Profile picture of the author Martin Luxton
    Originally Posted by Russ Reynolds View Post

    Man!
    I kept coming across articles written 'bum' style that had the most horrendous information . . .

    . . . you have to be super careful about these types of things.
    Russ,

    Two things.

    1. People writing that kind of stuff without a solid background are stupid and dangerous.

    2. People who heed medical advice from article sites are stupid and dangerous.

    There are so many incredible websites with reliable medical information written by doctors (often specialists). Unfortunately, people don't use their common sense.

    The other night I was looking for dosage information from the manufacturer of Calpol (paracetamol syrup for feverish kids) and I came across a forum where parents were advising other parents to give it every night before bedtime because it "helps them sleep" and "keeps them quiet".

    Then you got the grateful replies "Thank you so much! My baby is so much more sleepy now".

    Sometimes you wish people needed to get a licence before they could have kids.

    Martin
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    • Profile picture of the author WritingMadwoman
      Originally Posted by Martin Luxton View Post

      The other night I was looking for dosage information from the manufacturer of Calpol (paracetamol syrup for feverish kids) and I came across a forum where parents were advising other parents to give it every night before bedtime because it "helps them sleep" and "keeps them quiet".

      Then you got the grateful replies "Thank you so much! My baby is so much more sleepy now".

      Sometimes you wish people needed to get a licence before they could have kids.

      Martin
      Recently on a box of allergy medicine I noticed that there was a warning not to use it to make children sleepy - that struck me as so odd that they would need to put that on their label, but your example makes it clear why they have to. Disturbing to say the least!

      Wendy
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  • The article directories are going to end up being totally worthless to everyone -- including internet marketers -- if they don't start vetting for this kind of stuff. That is truly disgusting.
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  • Profile picture of the author dsmpublishing
    I am a big fan of the bum marketing method and have made lots of money from it. But a big but.....

    Do your research - i would never write a bum article on something i didnt know much about as its about rushing it out there i would choose subjects that i am really experienced in and certainly not ones where i would put peoples lives at risk this is really scary stuff.

    Thanks for sharing it with us.

    kind regards


    sam
    X
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  • Profile picture of the author Neromancer
    Sounds scary - I'm glad I have this forum to keep it straight - and I hope people really don't want to make a buck that way
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  • Profile picture of the author Marhelper
    I agree with you Russ. It is easy to get in the habit of hyping everything but forgetting that we are talking about real people reading our articles with real conditions.
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  • Profile picture of the author JVManna
    In the matter of ethics and marketing -- one can't sacrifice one for the other. Especially in the medical field. I find it despicable that someone would advocate to not visit a real physician when examining their medical issue.

    We all know that the Internet is becoming more of a trusted resource. EZA and other article sites are just swamps of questionable (and even unethical) information. Marketers as a whole need to dial back their need for SEO, backlinks and "article marketing" and start to think more about the real people the intend to influence.

    ~Joe
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  • Profile picture of the author Michael Franklin
    I haven't seen this article so I don't want to assume it BUT.....I would guess that the author probably outsourced this article to someone else to write it. After he received his outsourced article, he then probably submitted it without even looking it over for syntax, flow....or accuracy.

    Many article marketers go the route of outsourcing the articles and then mass submitting them. Combine that with the low fees that many third parties are willing to accept to write articles, you now have mass-produced low quality articles. Even though, these marketers think that they are winning the game with their sheer numbers, they are fooling themselves (as well as their readers).

    I know that the purpose of outsourcing is to save time so you can do other productive things, but as a responsible article marketer, you still need to invest some time to review what content you are receiving from your third parties.
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  • Profile picture of the author Randy Bheites
    Selling snake oil is the world's second oldest profession.
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    have a great day

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  • Profile picture of the author Rob Whisonant
    Many don't realize that you are 100% responsible for what you write and put in the public eye.

    I can easily see these chain of events happening.

    1. Person takes the idiots advise.
    2. Person dies.
    3. Family sues the writer and wins.
    4. Local DA files criminal charges and wins. In this case practicing medicine without a license.
    5. Writer loses everything and either goes to prison or moves under a bridge.
    6. Writers family goes on welfare and we have to support them.

    Re's
    Rob Whisonant
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  • Profile picture of the author Craig McPherson
    An article directory I am a member of insists we put medical disclaimers at the bottom of the article if it is in this field.
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    • Profile picture of the author kenboss
      Originally Posted by Craig McPherson View Post

      An article directory I am a member of insists we put medical disclaimers at the bottom of the article if it is in this field.
      Craig I think you've nailed it here. I think a general disclaimer is the most sensible solution and should be followed by ALL article directories. I would extend this to articles in the legal category as well as medical. Something along the lines of "The information contained in the above article should in no way be construed as authoritative, and readers are strongly advised to consult with a qualified medical/legal professional before acting on any advice given."

      There will ALWAYS be irresponsible writers out there, (or indeed writers who simply make mistakes or unwittingly pass on false info) and there will ALWAYS be gullible and/or desperate people who will follow advice blindly simply because it appears in print.

      For any article directory to try to introduce a viable system of vetting would be a nightmare. The question of where exactly do you draw the line, where do you set your standards in terms of content, would a subject of endless debate. Not to mention the fact that we'd be starting down that rocky road to censorship.

      A disclaimer, on the other hand, highlights the potential problem while acting as a caveat to which the reader can apply their own judgment and discretion. It also will HOPEFULLY deliver a subtle reminder to the writers of their obligation to take a responsible approach. Some might argue that it simply gives the writers carte-blanche - but in fact that's what they have already. This just helps limit their credibility in matters which could seriously affect people's lives.

      Russ this is a fantastic thread. I hope everyone understands by now that you are not condemning article writing in itself, merely pleading that we become a little more self-regulating in terms of our content - because it's the bad or negligent writers who not only put gullible people at risk, they spoil it for everyone by giving articles a bad name.

      Just look what happened to the used car business!

      Ken
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  • Profile picture of the author Mac the Knife
    Personally, I will refuse content that I don't feel comfortable writing about. I have even spoken up about business opps or IM products where I can find almost NO positive testimonials. Writing about medical information which might cause someone to do serious harm to themselves is criminal in my opinion. I am not saying others should follow my lead, but if we always push responsibility off to others, then you are basically saying the almighty dollar owns your morals...if your boss tells you to shoot someone, are you in the clear because you are "just following orders?" Writers, use your heads AND your hearts...this kind of pure crap is irresponsible and disgraceful.

    Russ, thanks for the post. As a son who just gave his father bone marrow to save him from his 4th battle against cancer, I hate this crap with a passion. I write in the health/fitness niche daily, and the putrid sludge I come across daily is just a shame. I am glad that I am in a position to turn away jobs of this ilk...

    Mac the Knife
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  • Profile picture of the author j hogan
    I work with clients with serious mental health issues and I get furious at the amount of outdated bull*%t that gets written online about these issues.It should be illegal.

    Article marketers who do 'research' by just reading three top articles at an article directory can often promote things that are not just ineffective, but dangerous.

    I write articles in this area that are based on the latest, evidenced based research. For example, there are many natural treatments that are effective for SOME disorders. There are also many that are NOT effective, and when you promote them you put someones life at risk.

    Two serious examples of natural health treatments I am currently dealing with: a person with OCD that has ceased medication to use natural treatment after reading an online article saying it was 'proven'. There is not one piece of scientific evidence to support this. The consequences are going to effect a lot of people and it's going to set treatment back months. The whole family is now suffering, his work is affected and he's struggling on his 'natural cure' that he found online.

    The second is a very serious situation of a teenager, with severe depression who followed the the advice of a very popular site regarding medications. the consequences have been devastating for her and her family as she suffers severe mental illness. I fear for this persons safety, as do her parents. I wish the writer of that article had to answer the desperate phone calls instead of me.

    So while that site drags in the money, with no consequences, mental health professionals and families bear the burden of trying to prevent self harm in our vulnerable teenagers who unfortunately think what they read online is 'true'.

    so if you promote treatments for health conditions, remember you ARE affecting vulnerable people while you make your $20 affiliate commission. Remember that while your happily cashing your check for a natural 'cure' , health professional are desperately trying to pick up the pieces before it's too late.
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    • Profile picture of the author TelegramSam
      Originally Posted by j hogan View Post

      I work with clients with serious mental health issues and I get furious at the amount of outdated bull*%t that gets written online about these issues.It should be illegal.

      Article marketers who do 'research' by just reading three top articles at an article directory can often promote things that are not just ineffective, but dangerous.

      I write articles in this area that are based on the latest, evidenced based research. For example, there are many natural treatments that are effective for SOME disorders. There are also many that are NOT effective, and when you promote them you put someones life at risk.

      Two serious examples of natural health treatments I am currently dealing with: a person with OCD that has ceased medication to use natural treatment after reading an online article saying it was 'proven'. There is not one piece of scientific evidence to support this. The consequences are going to effect a lot of people and it's going to set treatment back months. The whole family is now suffering, his work is affected and he's struggling on his 'natural cure' that he found online.

      The second is a very serious situation of a teenager, with severe depression who followed the the advice of a very popular site regarding medications. the consequences have been devastating for her and her family as she suffers severe mental illness. I fear for this persons safety, as do her parents. I wish the writer of that article had to answer the desperate phone calls instead of me.

      So while that site drags in the money, with no consequences, mental health professionals and families bear the burden of trying to prevent self harm in our vulnerable teenagers who unfortunately think what they read online is 'true'.

      so if you promote treatments for health conditions, remember you ARE affecting vulnerable people while you make your $20 affiliate commission. Remember that while your happily cashing your check for a natural 'cure' , health professional are desperately trying to pick up the pieces before it's too late.

      What's your solution? Drug them into a stupor so they no longer behave "inappropriately"?

      Or do you give them ECT?

      Or do you tie them to a bed or lock them into a rubber room?

      Have any of your colleagues ever mistreated a patient? Perhaps with wet towels?

      How dare you to think you have all of the answers with these problems.

      Just because you are paid by the self installed "medical health authorities" what makes you think your barbaric methods (physically or mentally or drugged) methods are best for your patient.

      And don't bother spewing any psychiatric government statistics at me because I could spew the real facts and figures back to you, especially for Australia, the US and the UK.

      The subject is complicated, but it seems 95% of the time your only solution is drugs!
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      • Profile picture of the author Russ Reynolds
        Just so my point of view is clear as the OP.

        I am not against alternative medicine; in fact I am in favor of it. I just don't see anything wrong with a sensible approach like advising your readers to do their own research and come to their own conclusions.

        I just don't see the need to tell them to stop seeing their doctor.
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        • Profile picture of the author TelegramSam
          Originally Posted by Russ Reynolds View Post

          Just so my point of view is clear as the OP.

          I am not against alternative medicine; in fact I am in favor of it. I just don't see anything wrong with a sensible approach like advising your readers to do their own research and come to their own conclusions.

          I just don't see the need to tell them to stop seeing their doctor.

          Very sensible comments.

          Sadly though, a lot of doctors are so blinkered that they don't think of alternative medicine as having any merit.

          Ask a doctor can you take garlic whilst taking a cholesterol drug and he may say no.

          He is unlikely to say "why don't you stop taking the cholesterol drug and the other 3 drugs you take, to try and handle the side effects and just start taking garlic everyday and cutting out the burgers".
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  • Profile picture of the author TelegramSam
    Why does this thread look like it is turning into a bashing of natural health?

    Listen guys, there is a lot of junk on the internet for sure.

    But don't tar everyone with the same brush.

    Many, many thousands of people die each year from wrong diagnosis by doctors, wrongly prescribed drugs, "correctly" prescribed drugs, operations that didn't work, "complications" in surgery etc. etc. etc.

    Yes there is a lot of quackery.

    There is also a lot of legalised quackery. "Oh, just take this vioxx. It'll handle the problem".

    "It's not working as well as I hoped for you so just take an extra couple of prozacs."

    Don't f****** get me started.

    If you want to talk about dangerous articles, why not talk about all the bullshit IM'ers, no doubt some of whom are active on this forum, that promise to make you and I and everyone else rich overnight with no effort!!!

    Sam
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    • Profile picture of the author scrofford
      Originally Posted by TelegramSam View Post

      Why does this thread look like it is turning into a bashing of natural health?

      Listen guys, there is a lot of junk on the internet for sure.

      But don't tar everyone with the same brush.

      Many, many thousands of people die each year from wrong diagnosis by doctors, wrongly prescribed drugs, "correctly" prescribed drugs, operations that didn't work, "complications" in surgery etc. etc. etc.

      Yes there is a lot of quackery.

      There is also a lot of legalised quackery. "Oh, just take this vioxx. It'll handle the problem".

      "It's not working as well as I hoped for you so just take an extra couple of prozacs."

      Don't f****** get me started.

      If you want to talk about dangerous articles, why not talk about all the bull**** IM'ers, no doubt some of whom are active on this forum, that promise to make you and I and everyone else rich overnight with no effort!!!

      Sam
      It's not about "bashing" natural health....It's bashing CRAP articles that people write and try to get people to listen to no matter which niche or business you are in.
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  • Profile picture of the author Dally137
    I think when you put it like that it becomes more of a moral responsibility of the writer. It like a doctor prescribing the wrong medicine to the readers. I personally take articles seriously. Wonder, what would other people like me face?
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  • Profile picture of the author j hogan
    I'm certainly not bashing natural health, it's very effective for a lot of health problems, I'm talking about that having evidence of that effectiveness with proper scientific research before promoting it for a particular condition when peoples lives are at stake.
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    • Profile picture of the author TelegramSam
      Originally Posted by j hogan View Post

      I'm certainly not bashing natural health, it's very effective for a lot of health problems, I'm talking about that having evidence of that effectiveness with proper scientific research before promoting it for a particular condition when peoples lives are at stake.

      How many drug companies' "scientific" research turns out to be falsified, hidden and downright illegal?

      I think it only gets looked into and discovered when after a few thousand people get killed inadvertently by their doctors prescriptions etc.

      Just because they have paid "someone" a few million or billion for a "seal" of approval doesn't mean it works, or there won't be side effect, or deaths.

      Oh, but if it has the offical "seal of approval" then it must be ok right?
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  • Profile picture of the author j hogan
    telegram sam, your jumping to a lot of very inaccurate conclusions about me and about my post to which I am not going to respond.

    I'm referring to the use of natural 'cures' for serious illnesses where there is no evidence for that and highlighting the fact for that for vulnerable people the effects are very real and can be very devastating.

    I'm asking article writers to keep that in mind when they write about these topics and look past a quick buck.

    I think a lot of article marketers do a good job, but I think the point of this thread is to serve as a reminder to be responsible writers, which I fully agree with.

    So I shared two incidents from personal experience.

    readers can draw their own conclusions.

    end of story.





    thats it.
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  • Profile picture of the author howudoin
    Man!

    I was doing some research today for a project for one of my clients. I kept coming across articles written 'bum' style that had the most horrendous information.

    One even advised that a cancer patient discontinued seeing their physician (and instead use their special concoction)!

    I know the dude wants to make 20 bucks but holy shit, think about the actual person that might follow that advice...

    It's downright scary.

    Most of us get accused of being money hungry and over hyping things at some point but you have to be super careful about these types of things.

    'Hey honey -- I put some poor guy in the hospital but I made my first 20 bucks online!'

    Take it easy. Rant over.

    Russ
    You've made a good point russ but let's also look at the offline world and see as to how patients (Of cancer or otherwise) are treated in the offline world:::::

    You go to a doctor with a disease and he will say "WE have two options namely A and B and here are the risk and benefits of both--- What do you want to do?" Point is, that the patient has to decide the final diagnosis approach even after approaching the doctor. In other words, the responsibility of treatment is also on the patient. In medical science this thing is becoming more popular and there's actually a term for it-- "patient autonomy".

    Now coming to your post, I certainly got no idea as to what treatment was being promoted in the above article but it is a common practice (and encouraged) to discontinue a certain diagnosis after making a switch to another. Maybe the Article marketer in question was promoting this product to an audience who have failed to secure a cure using the regular hospital system.

    In any case, AM's have to remember to practice due diligence by doing the research from standard and reputable sources only.

    Bhupinder
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  • Profile picture of the author SullyUI
    Just an example of how some topics should not be written about at all without a medical disclaimer of some sort, and also how poor some writers are at real research.
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    • Profile picture of the author epsilon97
      I think that Internet marketers should stay out of the medical niche, unless you are a skilled doctor or other practitioner. I know that the health niche is lucrative, but it is not ethical to fake your expertise. People who are suffering from a serious medical condition can become desperate due to fear. They might not be in the proper state of mind to decipher between bullshit and actual medical advice.

      I think that people get so wrapped up in making money online that they forget about their morals.
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      • Profile picture of the author TelegramSam
        Originally Posted by epsilon97 View Post

        I think that Internet marketers should stay out of the medical niche, unless you are a skilled doctor or other practitioner. I know that the health niche is lucrative, but it is not ethical to fake your expertise. People who are suffering from a serious medical condition can become desperate due to fear. They might not be in the proper state of mind to decipher between bullshit and actual medical advice.

        I think that people get so wrapped up in making money online that they forget about their morals.

        What about weight loss?

        Do you have to have lost 200 pounds before you can tell someone else about diets.

        What about making money online?

        Do you have to be and have made a million online before you advise others?

        What about gambling?

        Do you have to have broke the bank at Las Vegas before you tell someone about gambling tips?

        What about looking after cats and dogs?

        Do you have to be an expert in cats and dogs before you can research and write about them?

        What about selling golf tips?

        Do you have to have won the US or British open before you can offer advice?

        Interesting isn't it?

        And don't just reply by saying "well you are not dealing with life and death in those situations".

        Bullsh*t.

        Some licenced doctors have been known to literally murder their patients, so don't go saying they know everything etc.

        In life buyer beware and on the internet reader beware.

        Don't go down the road of stifling information just because you or anyone else thinks it's garbage.

        Some people think Jesus didn't even exist, or allah was a killer or we never went to the moon, or aliens are amongst us or whatever.

        NO ONE can choose how information should be controlled or used etc.

        It is up to the person to be intelligent enough to apply common sense.

        Also when you say people get desperate when close to death and will do anything to save themselves etc, then what is wrong with that.

        I know of many people who were more deperate after some failed medical intervention and had no alternative but to try an alternative approach.

        I could locate many articles where it suggests it's normal to have your stomach removed or colon shortened or have a gastric band fitted etc. etc.. How responsible is that? Yet they were written by "medically qualified" people.

        I also know many people who have been helped by the medical profession, but don't assume you know which is best or what ought to be stamped out!

        Sam
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        • Profile picture of the author sbucciarel
          Banned
          Originally Posted by TelegramSam View Post


          In life buyer beware and on the internet reader beware.

          NO ONE can choose how information should be controlled or used etc.
          The FTC can and does control how information is used and it's advertiser beware.
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  • Profile picture of the author mediasamurai
    Some writers don't even take time to do good research. They just write things they want, things that can just give them money.
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    • Profile picture of the author Robyn8243
      I agree that people should be extremely careful about what they write when it comes to any issues of health. You definitely should not just make stuff up looking to get paid.

      Advising people you don't know (anyone reading an article online) to stop seeking help from their medical doctor is wrong. Nobody can be qualified to tell random people that they are not getting proper medical attention.

      That said, there are many conditions that are not currently being adequately addressed by the traditional medical community, and people should be free to conduct their own research into alternatives and make their own informed choices. Why do people assume that anyone who makes an alternative choice is stupid?

      I think it is healthy practice to question whether our medical providers have the best answers for our situation. Doctors do not always have all the answers.

      I laugh every time I see some diet that has the CYA disclaimer to consult your physician before starting this or any other diet. Most medical doctors spend 50 minutes or less in their entire medical school education on nutrition. If you shop in a local supermarket and peek at the magazines (not counting National Inquirer) while you are waiting to pay, there is a very good chance that you know more about nutrition than your doctor. Yes, I know that some doctors are finally realizing the role that food plays in our health...but it is not something that is part of their education and the majority remain clueless.

      When it comes to Cancer which many have mentioned, there are certain cancers that respond well to traditional treatments, but others have dismal almost nonexistent success rates through traditional treatments.

      Having watched many people suffer through traditional treatment where the treatment is worse than the disease and death is inevitable...I think people should be free to pursue whatever "hail Mary" treatments that might work that they choose.

      For every horror story anyone can tell about someone giving up on traditional treatment and dying after trying what some people think is quackery whether vitamins or any other treatment, there will be someone else with a horror story of someone sticking with traditional treatment and dying without ever trying a nontraditional treatment that others had success with.

      Robyn
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      • Profile picture of the author sbucciarel
        Banned
        Originally Posted by Robyn8243 View Post

        That said, there are many conditions that are not currently being adequately addressed by the traditional medical community, and people should be free to conduct their own research into alternatives and make their own informed choices. Why do people assume that anyone who makes an alternative choice is stupid?

        I think it is healthy practice to question whether our medical providers have the best answers for our situation. Doctors do not always have all the answers. Robyn

        Whether conventional medicine or alternative medicine, affiliate marketers who are looking for the next buck to pocket are not authorities on medical treatment. They are selling cheesy clickbank products or other info products... being sold to sick and desperate people looking for some hope. This kind of affiliate marketing is why affiliate marketers have a bad reputation.
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        • Profile picture of the author Lance K
          Originally Posted by sbucciarel View Post

          Whether conventional medicine or alternative medicine, affiliate marketers who are looking for the next buck to pocket are not authorities on medical treatment.

          Regardless of niche, affiliate marketers who are looking for the next buck to pocket are not authorities. They're salespeople. In most cases, there's nothing wrong with being a straigh affiliate salesperson. But unless you're well versed in what you're selling, your results won't be optimal.

          Affiliate marketers who are authorities on their subject care more about sharing their expertise than where there next dollar is coming from. The dollars are a by-product of their sharing.

          I'm not saying all affiliate marketers need to be authorities. Just pointing out some differences in the two approaches.
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        • Profile picture of the author Robyn8243
          Originally Posted by sbucciarel View Post

          Whether conventional medicine or alternative medicine, affiliate marketers who are looking for the next buck to pocket are not authorities on medical treatment. They are selling cheesy clickbank products or other info products... being sold to sick and desperate people looking for some hope. This kind of affiliate marketing is why affiliate marketers have a bad reputation.
          Absolutely...I agree!

          Every social site out there should have big disclaimers telling people that there is no filtering of information and that all the information is just somebody's opinion...no better than asking the opinion of your local hairdresser or bartender (probably worse because there is likely to be a financial motive for writing). Maybe give up some of their adsense spots to make it clear...not likely unless they are forced.

          Those of us in this forum know better than to believe anything we read on EA or Squidoo or any other social site, because we know that more than likely there is an agenda behind it.

          Robyn
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    • Profile picture of the author sdcast
      Most people obtain plr content and don't even read it. or read halfway and say ok sounds good to me. or people just spin the articles and don't really pay attention that it doesn't make sense.

      but for a reader to actually follow the advice is actually scary.


      sdcast
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    • Profile picture of the author Hyaku_Man
      There are always going to be vultures and slackers out there, that will never change unless consumers wise up. I'm often pretty surprised by how much the average person assigns authority to webpages. If it's written on a webpage, a lot of people (let's say over age 40) assume it's written by an expert. They just don't understand the medium and that anyone can put content online.

      I recently wrote an article on teaching kids about fire safety, just to get some backlinks for a kids site I have. I made sure to write in the article that this is not definitive information, please contact your local fire department or school board to get official and complete information. That's my responsibility when I dip into any area of health and safety.

      I'm sure EZA wouldn't publish anything with dangerous advice, but others like goarticles approve your submissions automatically.
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      • Profile picture of the author Bewley
        Originally Posted by Hyaku_Man View Post

        There are always going to be vultures and slackers out there, that will never change unless consumers wise up. I'm often pretty surprised by how much the average person assigns authority to webpages. If it's written on a webpage, a lot of people (let's say over age 40) assume it's written by an expert. They just don't understand the medium and that anyone can put content online.
        I have had many years experience of teaching 40+ year old surfers how to use a computer and navigate round the Internet.

        I really think that what you say above is too much of a generalisation. Common sense, or lack of it, is not exclusive to a specific age group.

        I would go further, and add that a lot of older web surfers tend to err more on the side of caution - paying for goods and services online, as one example.

        A lot of my peers (well beyond the age of 40) go to great lengths to establish the veracity and authority of most things that they read on the web.

        Most of them, having been 'round the block' several times, approach a lot of things they encounter on the web with a cynical and critical eye.

        The younger web users, in my experience, tend to readily take on-board web based information, based on face value, and are more ready to adopt the belief 'that if it is on the web, then it must be true'.

        Of course, 'desperation' and 'need' tends to circumvent most semblance of common sense - from the insecure teenager through to the desperately ill senior.

        A lot of article marketers are fully aware of this and a few are prepared to maximise their profits by preying on the vulnerable and desperate - without a second thought to any possible adverse consequence, whether that consequence could be financial or personally harmful to the reader/prospective buyer.

        It is heartening to see the ethical stance most of the posters adopt throughout this thread - the sooner we can rid the web of the crap and garbage and the misleading and downright dangerous, the better.
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  • Profile picture of the author Creative Thinker
    Information has become cheap. Only the internet is to be blamed.
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  • Profile picture of the author Debbie Allen
    Good writing always starts with good research. In fact, that is where the majority of time is (should be) focused during a writing project.

    But I do understand that even a well-researched article could provide information that is questionable - after all, the world is constantly changing and we learn and develop new things everyday - medical advances are being made daily - whether we are talking about alternative medicine or not.

    I love the idea of a disclaimer for articles - just like we add to our sites and our products. But I doubt that the person that would blindly follow the advice of an article would bother to take much notice of a disclaimer.

    Perhaps article directories should have a blanket disclaimer that reminds readers that the article content contained there should be used at their own risk - whether the article focuses on a gardening technique, a money-making concept, or a health related issue. Just a thought......

    Obviously some writers are more concerned with getting an article out than in producing quality content that can help someone. This sort of goes back to the idea that anyone can be a writer. Yes, anyone can write to a degree, but not everyone is willing to put in the effort required to learn how to create quality content. After there is a full understanding of what is required to create an article that is based on research and that is also reader friendly, many 'writers' decide taking shortcuts is the quickest way to profits. Sadly, many marketers feed this cycle by hiring such writers and continuing to use their work.
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  • Profile picture of the author funky_budha
    as the saying goes, 'little information can kill you', my only take on this is to be careful what you read in the internet, because not all comes from an expert. and when it comes to health, i only trust doctors.
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    • Profile picture of the author dferrara
      My guess is the guy who put it out probably didn't even read the article. With so many plr articles out there a lot of people are just blasting them out as fast as they can without even reading what they say.
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  • Profile picture of the author Leron Ford
    I think we're at a point where we really have to be careful. If we can't show an ability to police ourselves, believe me, there is someone out there more than willing to do it for us.

    All you have to do is look at the banking industry. If we keep going down the path we are going, we will be next, without a doubt.

    That's my $0.02.
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  • Profile picture of the author geolt7
    It is a sad thing but true. There are those who just writes for the sake of writing and getting that few dollars for an article. It has become a mechanical process for many who do it the "production line" style.
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  • Profile picture of the author ScottTMc
    God, people actually do that?

    Yet... most 'normal' people will proberbly see it as a completly stupid thing to do
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    • Profile picture of the author Liam Hamer
      Not only can article marketers be a danger to others, they can be a danger to themselves too - specifically those who write 700 articles a week :p
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  • Profile picture of the author itcoll
    its high time EZA started using disclaimers in their web site - or are they already using it?
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  • Profile picture of the author drwhogoesthere
    There is little we can do to stop other from doing the wrong thing. No matter how honest or accurate we maybe, there will always be somebody willing to take advantage of the system.

    All suggest is that when you write make sure it is something you are proud of and willing to promote.
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    • Profile picture of the author glide21
      .... and in the case of IM, preferrably a product you've used yourself and are happy with. There cannot be long lasting success thru cheating and lying, the universe simply doesn't work that way. Even Madoff finally got it
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  • Profile picture of the author glide21
    Let's face it, that is how this whole industry is perceived right now. IM are now the new used car salesmen or Estate agents in the UK.
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  • Profile picture of the author tomw
    Let's be honest here, the overwhelming majority of articles on directories and other forms of social spam sites are rehashed nonsense cobbled together from other rehashed nonsense found across the web and posted purely for the purpose of driving a click.

    The sooner Google and the rest de-index those sites the better.

    The web will then deliver a much more useful user experience to all.

    Tom
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    • Profile picture of the author glide21
      To expect Google and others to police the web is even worse than allowing these spammers. The web is already becoming Google, just as pc software became Microsoft, this can't be good for anyone long term.
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      • Profile picture of the author tomw
        Originally Posted by glide21 View Post

        To expect Google and others to police the web is even worse than allowing these spammers. The web is already becoming Google, just as pc software became Microsoft, this can't be good for anyone long term.
        Since Google and other search engines exist to return SERPs that are both relevant *and* useful I have to disagree. Users perform searches with these tools in order to find specific information on the things they are specifically looking for.

        The search engine side of Google, for instance, seeks to create the best possible system for doing this and it's in their best interests (as well as users') to de-index, or through their algorithms never index, useless or misleading content.

        To use Russ' example;

        Should I require some information on cancer, the obvious and natural SERP should provide me with a list of genuine medical sites containing genuine medical advice from genuine medical practitioners.

        Why should I expect anything else?

        What I am entitled *not* to expect is a list of links to rehashed nonsense dreamt up by "Bum" (or any other) marketers deliberately attempting to profit from diverting my attention from what I originally sought and drive me to sign up for their list, earn them an affiliate commission or buy their questionable info product on the subject.

        If I wanted to buy, for example, a book about cancer I would have searched for one.

        The web is full of ways to make money, and most of them make a lot more than tactics that ultimately annoy users, waste their time and deliver little of value.

        If you want to make a few bucks from annoying users, wasting their time and delivering *nothing* of value to them, set up Adsense sites based on high paying keywords.

        But that's a whole other conversation...



        Tom
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        STOP THE TRAFFIK: PEOPLE SHOULDN'T BE BOUGHT AND SOLD
        Help Us Rescue, Rehabilitate And Reunite Victims With Their Families

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        PROTECT the trafficked and PROSECUTE the traffickers.
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        • Profile picture of the author scrofford
          Originally Posted by tomw View Post

          What I am entitled *not* to expect is a list of links to rehashed nonsense dreamt up by "Bum" (or any other) marketers deliberately attempting to profit from diverting my attention from what I originally sought and driving me to sign up for their list, earn them an affiliate commission or buy their questionable info product on the subject.

          If I wanted to buy, for example, a book about cancer I would have searched for one.

          The web is full of ways to make money, and most of them make a lot more than tactics that ultimately annoy users, waste their time and deliver little of value.

          If you want to make a few bucks from annoying users, wasting their time and delivering *nothing* of value to them, set up Adsense sites based on high paying keywords.

          But that's a whole other conversation...



          Tom
          Exactly my point. I should be able to expect quality articles...not rehashed CRAP just so someone can get their link up in an article directory.
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  • Profile picture of the author JR Rich
    I'm going to have to go with Russ here. Many of the articles you see on the various repositories are pure, unadulterated C**p!

    The article directories themselves have all these "Terms of Service" that the writers are supposed to follow, but it seems as though those rules are only for legal disputes in case something untoward happens and a court battle ensues.

    Poorly written - and often misleading - articles seem to be the rule-of-the-day.

    Every new marketer coming down the pike gets told that they just need to put out a few (thousand) rehashed articles about their niche, and their fortune is assured. They don't know or care that the information they're spewing is not only worthless, it might even be devastating to someone who happens by and believes it.

    I can understand that the article directories themselves are absolutely overloaded with trying to review everything that gets submitted to them for publication. It's a truly Herculean task, to be sure!

    But, people simply can't be protected from themselves. We all need to perform reasonable "due diligence' on information gleaned from any electronic media -be that Internet, television, or even instant messaging!

    Especially if that information relates to our or our families health!

    --JR
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  • Profile picture of the author Sumit Menon
    Freelance writing in the health niche should be banned! No, seriously.
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  • Profile picture of the author DAS_Matt
    Hmmm.. alternative medicine is a big niche I imagine. Take the cancer example of the OP. There are people out there who want nothing to do with chemo and the ravages it puts on the body and prefer alternative medicine. Why should their wishes be ignored for looking for alternative treatments? Things aren't just black and white here folks. Could it be done a better way in that article? Sure, it certainly could. I don't think aletrnative medicines should totally diss mainstream medicine but at the same time I don't think people should dismiss alternative medicine out of hand either.
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  • Profile picture of the author wirelessgeek
    No kidding! When I take on a job, I always tell the client, "I'll turn out content for you but I am NOT going to spin out more hype than information!" It's for the sake of ethics more than anything; if the guy wants to get sued for making false claims, that's his deal but I won't help him do it.
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  • Profile picture of the author ninja newbie
    I have to agree that there is some real crap passing for information out there. Well done Russ.
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  • Profile picture of the author SteveJohnson
    When you get right down to it, the greatest success in the history of sales has been that of the medical profession convincing the general population that they are and should be the ultimate authority on matters related to health.

    Talk about the world's best con job.

    That people so blindly accept the opinion of a physician as the last word continues to sadden me. Physicians know only what they are taught, just like the rest of us. Much of the new information they receive as ongoing education is paid for by the pharmaceutical industry. More than a few of the treatments they render are experimental -- they don't actually know how to 'cure' the condition, they're just trying what seemed to work last time. Basically, throwing s^*t against the wall and seeing if it sticks.

    The Institute of Medicine's 1999 report, available here: http://www.iom.edu/Reports/1999/To-E...th-System.aspx says that as many as 98,000 deaths per year occur in the United States alone because of preventable medical errors. Other studies put the average number at twice that.

    Blindly trust the word of a doctor? Not I.
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  • Profile picture of the author nettech
    This is the reason why I decided not to use offshore content writing companies (a particular one who is very well known on DP for their cheap rates). Basically, this time last year I requested lots of articles and they all came back without any research carried out.

    When I get work done, I expect the text to be factual, this is how i write all my articles, all factual and as close to the truth as possible.

    Boy thats scary. Money always comes second in my opnion when it comes to people health.
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  • Profile picture of the author DASHBOY
    Now that is scary!!

    I really just hope people wouldn't be gullable enough to do that.

    Graeme
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  • Profile picture of the author kimvalerio05
    From this topic I know many of us find out the diff. side of being an article writers. But in the end still it's up to the people especially to the writers what they are going to do or what decision they will make.
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  • Profile picture of the author la dominatrix
    Yesterday I had an article to rewrite about the effects of green tea o nhte metabolism, but the maths was not correct. I therefore spent a further three hours reading scientific papers to get it rigth. I felt better but my bank balance did not. Will it make the owner of the material hire me another time I doubt it he did not get his article rewritten! Would I do it again yes a million times but that jsut makes me an idiot!
    La dominatrix
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  • Profile picture of the author achivement84
    Originally Posted by Russ Reynolds View Post


    Most of us get accused of being money hungry and over hyping things at some point but you have to be super careful about these types of things.

    Thanks alot for the topic it`s really great, although i don`t wriet in health topics but i care to much ro what you stated even as a reader for this articles.I think any writer should has observance of conscience while he doing his work, and should also pay much attention to the data content he present to others,and think that many internet users may use this article as a guid.
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  • Profile picture of the author Lambert Klein
    Well I think everyone already knew about all the crap out there. Hopefully the reader is smart enough to realized it.

    People have really wreck things trying to make a few bucks. Look at all the useless adsense sites oit there. It's really hard to search and find revelent info sometimes.
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