Immoral technique to increase Youtube Video Rankings?

by Diice
55 replies
  • SEO
  • |
So,

i had an idea, familiar with SEO after the updates i loved the idea of being able to tank a competitors site to increase my own rankings, whilst at the same time worried that the same could happen to my own assets.

I never took such action, i saw many case-studies where sites were removed completely from Google by groups of people purposely creating bad links to the site.

Yeah i know it is perhaps a little immoral, but to me making money is a game, even if you have to cheat to win (Felix Dennis influenced this sort of thinking, buy his book "How to Get Rich", honestly the best book i have ever read when it comes to understanding what it takes to become wealthy). I hope that doesnt offend anyone, it is just my opinion.

So what do you think about using a similar technique with Youtube videos? E.g. Creating mutliple accounts and flagging/disliking competitors videos

In the hope that they will lose rankings and your own will increase.

Would love to hear your thoughts,
-Michael
#immoral #increase #rankings #technique #video #youtube
  • Profile picture of the author MissTerraK
    Sorry Michael, but that technique screams "unethical" at me.

    I don't know how you feel personally, but I could never feel any satisfaction in winning by cheating. How could I ever take pride in my work's success in knowing that it was only due to underhanded cheap tricks and not by my prowess as a talented (fill in the blank?)

    Not only that, but I hear that karma can be a real bummer.

    Terra
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    • Profile picture of the author Diice
      I 100% understand why you see this as wrong and douche-like, un-ethical perhaps. I am not taking your words as insults because i pretty much expected it.

      Originally Posted by MissTerraK View Post

      I don't know how you feel personally, but I could never feel any satisfaction in winning by cheating. How could I ever take pride in my work's success in knowing that it was only due to underhanded cheap tricks and not by my prowess as a talented (fill in the blank?)

      Terra
      Hi Terra, thanks for your reply.

      I am not looking for satisfaction, i dont beleive i should have to be satisfied with the work i have done in order to accept the rewards.

      If i might rephrase my way of thinking which is understandably un-ethical to many of you. I suppose a lighter way of saying it is that i have the will to do anything it takes to be able to support myself financially and my family.

      Many succesful people have got where they are today through hard-work and talent. However i would argue there are equally as many who have "cheated".

      I am not saying i am going to do this technique, i am more interested in what the general view on it was. But i want to make money, not have respect, not be satisified as so to speak. I think that is probably a large difference between me and the next person.

      They want money yes, but they also want the power and respect that comes with it. So maybe in your eyes it seems the only route to this goal is to work your way up the ethical way.

      And im going to leave on quite a brutal note, but when it comes to money, i really care little about reducing someones own success in making money to improve my own. I know it sounds horrible, but i guess thats just the way i am.

      And dont get me wrong, i am not at all saying i like the thought of other people being unsuccesful. Ofcourse i want others to succeed, thats why i am a part of this forum. I have made a fair amount online through both helping others and in providing services (Mainly SEO), more ethical routes.

      But for the purpose of this argument/debate i will stand alone just to say i dont beleive there is too much wrong in methods such as these, depending on how you wish to be viewed.

      I understand and respect your comments, but there is a basic argument from my side and i hope this will spark some form of contreversial discussion.

      Thanks,
      -Michael
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  • Profile picture of the author Jeff Lenney
    My thoughts are: don't be a douche
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    • Profile picture of the author MissTerraK
      Originally Posted by eljeffe77 View Post

      My thoughts are: don't be a douche
      Haha!

      Nothing like being short, sweet and to the point.

      Terra
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    • Asshattery worthy of a beatdown.
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    • Profile picture of the author kickmoney
      Originally Posted by eljeffe77 View Post

      My thoughts are: don't be a douche
      It's all relative...

      For instance. After watching one of your video's on Facebook.

      I thought...what a douce

      Because...

      You wanna test the waters to make "WSO's" that apparantly show people how to sell crappy deals.

      E.G. "Make Money Online" "Weight Loss" "How To Get Your Ex Back" "How To Pick Up Women"

      And from where I'm standing...that makes you really douchey

      @OP

      I reckon your heads in the wrong place. Personally I find all that stuff a waste of good energy.


      ~just my thoughts...
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      • Profile picture of the author Diice
        Originally Posted by kickmoney View Post

        It's all relative...

        For instance. After watching one of your video's on Facebook.

        I thought...what a douce

        Because...

        You wanna test the waters to make "WSO's" that apparantly show people how to sell crappy deals.

        E.G. "Make Money Online" "Weight Loss" "How To Get Your Ex Back" "How To Pick Up Women"

        And from where I'm standing...that makes you really douchey

        @OP

        I reckon your heads in the wrong place. Personally I find all that stuff a waste of good energy.


        ~just my thoughts...
        Thanks for your opinion,
        -Michael
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        • Profile picture of the author kickmoney
          Also...

          I LOL @ all the people ITT preaching "Karma" and other such Juju...

          Earth isn't a Disney movie...no one cares lol.

          Morever, same folks talking all that Karma are probably
          trying to hock "Get Your Ex-Back" ebooks in their spare time.

          Ok I'm going now...
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          • Profile picture of the author Diice
            Originally Posted by kickmoney View Post

            Also...

            I LOL @ all the people ITT preaching "Karma" and other such Juju...

            Earth isn't a Disney movie...no one cares lol.

            Morever, same folks talking all that Karma are probably
            trying to hock "Get Your Ex-Back" ebooks in their spare time.

            Ok I'm going now...
            I have never understood Karma, i dont get the people that come up with that sort of stuff. I imagine its just something taught throughout life to control people and prevent them doing "bad" things.

            -Michael
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            • Profile picture of the author Jordan Kovats
              Originally Posted by Michael_Lee View Post

              I have never understood Karma, i dont get the people that come up with that sort of stuff. I imagine its just something taught throughout life to control people and prevent them doing "bad" things.

              -Michael
              With all due respect, you aren't old enough yet and don't have enough life experience yet. It will explain itself to you when you are ready.
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              • Profile picture of the author Paul Stone
                Originally Posted by theseoguys View Post

                With all due respect, you aren't old enough yet and don't have enough life experience yet. It will explain itself to you when you are ready.
                Although I'm not that old, I'm starting to see this myself.

                You've got to learn what's more important in life. The happiest people I know are those who do things for others.

                It's not all about immediate effects (how others will treat you), it's about your attitude and how eventually it will catch up with you. If you develop a self gratifying attitude, in the end, you feel pretty empty, unfulfilled, stuck and miserable.

                And no, that's not from a Disney movie, it's basic psychology
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                • Profile picture of the author samuelford
                  Originally Posted by Paul Stone View Post

                  Although I'm not that old, I'm starting to see this myself.

                  You've got to learn what's more important in life. The happiest people I know are those who do things for others.

                  It's not all about immediate effects (how others will treat you), it's about your attitude and how eventually it will catch up with you. If you develop a self gratifying attitude, in the end, you feel pretty empty, unfulfilled, stuck and miserable.

                  And no, that's not from a Disney movie, it's basic psychology
                  Paul, that was beautiful. Will you marry me.
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          • Profile picture of the author MissTerraK
            Originally Posted by kickmoney View Post

            Also...

            I LOL @ all the people ITT preaching "Karma" and other such Juju...

            Earth isn't a Disney movie...no one cares lol.

            Morever, same folks talking all that Karma are probably
            trying to hock "Get Your Ex-Back" ebooks in their spare time.

            Ok I'm going now...
            As well as you should. Nothing like trying to actually help the next generation rather than derail them, eh? :rolleyes:

            Terra
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      • Profile picture of the author Jeff Lenney
        Originally Posted by kickmoney View Post

        It's all relative...
        You wanna test the waters to make "WSO's" that apparantly show people how to sell crappy deals.

        E.G. "Make Money Online" "Weight Loss" "How To Get Your Ex Back" "How To Pick Up Women"

        And from where I'm standing...that makes you really douchey
        ~just my thoughts...
        Test the waters? Crappy deals? Not sure what you're talking about. When Did I say I want to show people how to sell crappy deals? There is a market for all of these things you've mentioned, AND legitimate non scammy products to fill their needs...

        It's easiest (IMO) to make money in the POPULAR niches. IE: Weight Loss, Make Money Online, How to get a girlfriend, how to get your ex back. I've had the most success in those niches - and guess what - I sell GOOD quality products in each of them.

        Believe it or not, I'm one of the HONEST guys - don't let the tattoos and rugged good looks fool you, I don't believe in scamming people or selling them inferior products. The method I do use is easy, works very well, and I was asking my own list on my facebook page who would be interested in that method.
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    • Profile picture of the author iamthecoolnerd
      Originally Posted by eljeffe77 View Post

      My thoughts are: don't be a douche
      Yeah...that about sums it up. Use your creativity and energy to create good ****
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  • Profile picture of the author ImWendy
    Originally Posted by Michael_Lee View Post

    .....but to me making money is a game, even if you have to cheat to win (Felix Dennis influenced this sort of thinking, buy his book "How to Get Rich", honestly the best book i have ever read when it comes to understanding what it takes to become wealthy).

    This Felix Dennis guy sounds like someone not worthy of following.


    So what do you think about using a similar technique with Youtube videos? E.g. Creating mutliple accounts and flagging/disliking competitors videos
    In the hope that they will lose rankings and your own will increase.

    I think this is douche-baggery at its finest. The purpose of flagging videos (legitimately) is to remove those vids that are not appropriate, not to further your interests or to make your videos rank higher so you can make more $$.

    I don't believe in karma but I do believe in the golden rule and it would apply to making money with YT videos.
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    • Profile picture of the author MissTerraK
      Originally Posted by ImWendy View Post


      I don't believe in karma but I do believe in the golden rule and it would apply to making money with YT videos.
      I agree Wendy.

      As for the karma bit, I used it as it seems to be the popular phrasing these days.

      However to me, "what goes around comes around" and "karma" are the same principle as "whatsoever a man sows, that also shall he reap." Different wording, same principle and one I do believe in.

      Terra
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  • Profile picture of the author jaiganeshv
    These kind of techniques are not to be discussed in THIS forum

    May be a newbie would be directed to this technique instead of some of the genuine techniques listed in this forum.

    just my 0.002
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  • Profile picture of the author hobsdv
    Personally i hate the idea, had it happen to me, every time i outranked my competition they got my vids flagged and removed.

    At the end of the day if you cant take competition and have to resort to dirty tactics to try and win your an arsehole (sorry for swearing but really annoys me)
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    • Profile picture of the author Karen Blundell
      @Michael_Lee:
      You know you just shot yourself in the foot, don't you?

      Honestly, why would you publicly proclaim in a forum of over 500K potential buyers of your stuff, that you would cheat to knock out a competitor and that it's a "game"?

      If you ever launch a WSO, how many people will look at your profile and your previous posts, and say to themselves - "This guy would cheat to get ahead, so I'm not buying his WSO!"

      You see, your karma is already sealed...

      wow, just wow.
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    • Profile picture of the author Jeff Lenney
      Originally Posted by hobsdv View Post

      Personally i hate the idea, had it happen to me, every time i outranked my competition they got my vids flagged and removed.

      At the end of the day if you cant take competition and have to resort to dirty tactics to try and win your an arsehole (sorry for swearing but really annoys me)
      Actually, I had it happen to me as well. I had an IM review youtube channel - i was brutally honest about IM products, what sucked and what was good. Had over 100 videos, and suddenly one of the MOST honest ones i had - with just DAMN GOOD information on how to really make money online was flagged and deleted. 1 day later another was flagged and deleted, which banned my account for a week. 2 days after that a 3rd one was, and my account was deleted.

      I made another acct 2 weeks later to try to start over, the very DAY I put up a video - it was flagged by users and deleted.

      Kinda pissed me off people did that, but hey - I'm still making more than them even without those videos up anymore

      So yeah, don't be a douche man - if you can't compete with the big boys dont be a little b*tch about it.
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      • Profile picture of the author yukon
        Banned
        Originally Posted by eljeffe77 View Post

        Actually, I had it happen to me as well. I had an IM review youtube channel - i was brutally honest about IM products, what sucked and what was good. Had over 100 videos, and suddenly one of the MOST honest ones i had - with just DAMN GOOD information on how to really make money online was flagged and deleted. 1 day later another was flagged and deleted, which banned my account for a week. 2 days after that a 3rd one was, and my account was deleted.

        I made another acct 2 weeks later to try to start over, the very DAY I put up a video - it was flagged by users and deleted.

        Kinda pissed me off people did that, but hey - I'm still making more than them even without those videos up anymore

        So yeah, don't be a douche man - if you can't compete with the big boys dont be a little b*tch about it.


        I imagine the root of the problem (ban) was "how to make money".
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        • Profile picture of the author Jeff Lenney
          Originally Posted by yukon View Post

          I imagine the root of the problem (ban) was "how to make money".
          I initially thought that too, but they were flagged by the 'youtube community' - not by youtube itself.

          I also know of others who had this same thing happen to them.

          I had a POPULAR channel, thousands of views per day, and I was giving people QUALITY information and exposing scams. I'm over it, it's been over a year since that happened - but it still sucked to be on the receiving end of that.
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          • Profile picture of the author rodsuroc
            Mmmm...that is a problem, I was thinking on starting a Youtube campaing, but after your experience, better think twice about wasting my time on that.

            The problem is that after penguin I learned the hard way that diversification is survival especially for those of us who do not have products for sale and earn only commissions.

            Maybe Pinterest is an alternative?
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          • Profile picture of the author yukon
            Banned
            Originally Posted by eljeffe77 View Post

            I initially thought that too, but they were flagged by the 'youtube community' - not by youtube itself.

            I also know of others who had this same thing happen to them.

            I had a POPULAR channel, thousands of views per day, and I was giving people QUALITY information and exposing scams. I'm over it, it's been over a year since that happened - but it still sucked to be on the receiving end of that.
            Sounds like you might have pissed off the wrong person (exposing scams)?

            All I know is, my brother is earning a steady $300+ a week with only Youtube/Adsense, he doesn't even own an Adsense website.

            I think your problem with Youtube is, your videos are about making money + scams, target a subject less obvious & doesn't piss people off.
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  • Profile picture of the author Vikky B
    This tactic reminds me of the war between Virgin Atlantic and British Airways. Remember that?

    Stand up to your competition and beat them fair and square. Don't resort to unethical tactics. Get found out and you will never do business again....
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  • Profile picture of the author cypherslock
    Should you do it? No. Is it illegal to do so? No. Take this for example: A client of mind in the health niche recently told me that the health department visited them because a competitor of theirs made a phone call....and this is OFFLINE....yikes! Looks like I'm doing my job a little too well....No you should NOT do this and if you do I've one thing to say:

    May the humps of a thousand camels infest your underwear drawer!
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  • Profile picture of the author travlinguy
    Not going to get preachy... Well, maybe a little.

    These are really good words to live by: Do unto others as you'd have others do unto you.

    The thing about that statement is that it's not really optional though people don't recognize that. There are a couple of statments that come from the above.

    What goes around comes around. That sort of removes the optional component of the Golden Rule. And if that doesn't get your attention, here's the new and revised version:

    Whatever you do, you do to yourself.

    Can't get any more to the point than that. Everything comes full circle in time. Everything. Good and otherwise. Good luck.
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  • Profile picture of the author Ken Leatherman
    Why in the world do you want to spend your valuable time beating down your competitors video, when you can spend the same time marketing your video to increase its rankings.

    Also there is a good chance the other guy may well see what your doing and decide to do the same to you or report you for intentionally causing harm to his video.

    It's because of a post like this I will try to make sure I don't do any business, of any type, now or in the future with you. You just flagged yourself as someone willing to cheat and steal to make money any way you can. Thats my opinion and I'm sticking with it.

    I'm really Gobsmacked you would brand yourself this way.

    Think before you post.

    Ken
    The Old Geezer

    P.S. Now I want to see if he has the internal testicles to come back and reply.
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    • Profile picture of the author Diice
      Originally Posted by Ken Leatherman View Post

      P.S. Now I want to see if he has the internal testicles to come back and reply.
      suggesting that something might happen if i did? Terrified

      Ken i have explained myself above, i do not expect other people to necessarily agree with this, but maybe to at least understand a little.

      Also most of my clients are Offline, i do not rely on this forum to generate income for myself. Karma doesnt come into the equation, i have not used this technique, again i will stress that because it seems to many of the repliers that i am already doing this.

      -Michael
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      • Profile picture of the author MissTerraK
        Two things Michael, and I hope you have the aptitude to understand them both.

        Whether you have done or are doing this matters not, at this point.

        People's perception is their reality and you've already stated where your heart lies in the matter, therefore they perceive that you are guilty in their eyes. You just killed your reputation.

        The second thing is in addressing this:

        And im going to leave on quite a brutal note, but when it comes to money, i really care little about reducing someones own success in making money to improve my own. I know it sounds horrible, but i guess thats just the way i am.
        I'm telling you the exact same thing I would tell one of my own children. The love of money is the root of all evil.

        If you love money beyond anything else it will be very easy to continue to do more and more evil, stopping at nothing to get more money. Beware, as that is a very slippery slope you're teetering over, Michael.

        You can laugh and scoff at my words or you can consider them. The choice is yours, however, I do hope you give some serious contemplation to them before you end up ruining your life and live miserably ever after.

        Terra
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        • Profile picture of the author Diice
          Originally Posted by MikeFriedman View Post

          Alright, all ethics aside...

          If you want to get into these kind of techniques, just remember something. There are people doing this kind of stuff that have been doing it a lot longer than you, are far better at it than you, and are far smarter than you.

          Just see what happens when you start using techniques like this and without knowing it, screw with something belonging to one of those people.
          A very fair argument.

          Originally Posted by MissTerraK View Post

          You can laugh and scoff at my words or you can consider them. The choice is yours, however, I do hope you give some serious contemplation to them before you end up ruining your life and live miserably ever after.

          Terra
          I am not laughing or scoffing at anyones words, it is you who are doing it to mine. Understandably.

          It seems like everyone has got the idea that i am against you, i am not, i am stating the way i think regarding this scenario (Ranking videos/sites).

          -Michael
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          • Profile picture of the author MissTerraK
            Originally Posted by Michael_Lee View Post

            A very fair argument.



            I am not laughing or scoffing at anyones words, it is you who are doing it to mine. Understandably.

            It seems like everyone has got the idea that i am against you, i am not, i am stating the way i think regarding this scenario (Ranking videos/sites).

            -Michael
            I don't believe anyone is scoffing or laughing at you. What they are trying to do is give you good advice based on their personal experience, experiences you have not yet encountered in your own life.

            They are only trying to help you travel a different road than the road of hard knocks.

            I would hope you would heed those warnings rather than continuing to try and justify your own thoughts.

            Terra
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            • Profile picture of the author Diice
              Originally Posted by MissTerraK View Post

              I don't believe anyone is scoffing or laughing at you. What they are trying to do is give you good advice based on their personal experience, experiences you have not yet encountered in your own life.

              They are only trying to help you travel a different road than the road of hard knocks.

              I would hope you would heed those warnings rather than continuing to try and justify your own thoughts.

              Terra
              Yes i definitely need to think about it, and i appreciate everyones views.

              I agree i have tried a little too hard to justify my thought process, but i feel people have took this the wrong way.

              -Michael
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  • Profile picture of the author travlinguy
    Essentially, you're saying that you're willing to do anything for a buck. And what the majority of the posts here are saying, be prepared for serious consequences. Just because you see others cheating doesn't mean you're necessarily going to see the negative results of those practices. But they are there, always.

    And if you decide to go down the "anything for a buck is okay" road, you will see those consequences too. How do I know this? Because when I was young and and thought I knew everything I felt the same way. And at every turn I got my ass handed to me. And since I'm a fairly slow learner, I had to keep running the same idiotic plays that NEVER work in the long term until I figured out there are no shortcuts worth the pain they bring. Good luck, Michael. You're going to need it.

    BTW, you do realize that by admitting your tactics here in public that there are many people who'll remember "anything goes Michael" and won't come near you with a ten-foot pole if you were selling something or trying to get a JV going or whatever. Just sayin...
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    • Profile picture of the author Diice
      Originally Posted by travlinguy View Post

      Essentially, you're saying that you're willing to do anything for a buck. And what the majority of the posts here are saying, be prepared for serious consequences. Just because you see others cheating doesn't mean you're necessarily going to see the negative results of those practices. But they are there, always.

      And if you decide to go down the "anything for a buck is okay" road, you will see those consequences too. How do I know this? Because when I was young and and thought I knew everything I felt the same way. And at every turn I got my ass handed to me. And since I'm a fairly slow learner, I had to keep running the same idiotic plays that NEVER work in the long term. Good luck, Michael. You're going to need it.
      Your points are fair. However "Anything for a buck" i feel is different to the way i think about it, that quote suggests i would do anything for $1. It is more like i would do anything to be succesful. It doesnt make it much better but i understand your view.

      Originally Posted by travlinguy View Post

      BTW, you do realize that by admitting your tactics here in public that there are many people who'll remember "anything goes Michael" and won't come near you with a ten-foot pole if you were selling something or trying to get a JV going or whatever. Just sayin...
      Yes i realise this, however my audience for income does not originate from this forum, nor do i intend it to be. I also have no intention of releasing WSO's, especially typical informational products - It is not something i excel at, nor is list-building (As you can see my views are quite controversial and they would not go down well with a list.)

      -Michael
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      • Profile picture of the author Karen Blundell
        Originally Posted by Michael_Lee View Post

        Yes i realise this, however my audience for income does not originate from this forum, nor do i intend it to be. I also have no intention of releasing WSO's, especially typical informational products - It is not something i excel at, nor is list-building (As you can see my views are quite controversial and they would not go down well with a list.)

        -Michael

        all right, fine, but did you know how quickly posts from this forum get indexed on Google or other search engines? So someone looks you up in the search engines, and they see this post of yours. What do you think is going to happen then?

        You have your whole life ahead of you - don't start off your IM career by alienating the very people who could help you get ahead.
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  • Profile picture of the author Ken Leatherman
    Mike, what happens when one of your kids see this post or other members of your family? I can't imagine how you will try to explain it to them.

    Please tell me your not so blind to understand how you have branded yourself. Do you not know when someone starts to do business with you now or years from now they can read this post you made. What happens when they Google your name?

    Brilliant Dude, just plain brilliant.

    Ken
    The Old Geezer
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    • Profile picture of the author Diice
      Originally Posted by Ken Leatherman View Post

      Mike, what happens when one of your kids see this post or other members of your family? I can't imagine how you will try to explain it to them.

      Please tell me your not so blind to understand how you have branded yourself. Do you not know when someone starts to do business with you now or years from now they can read this post you made. What happens when they Google your name?

      Brilliant Dude, just plain brilliant.

      Ken
      The Old Geezer
      I am not blind to it, however after consideration and your comment about the future it does seem like a much larger threat now.

      If i might ask, what is everyones view on say... buying backlinks to improve your ranking.

      Lets say you have a site in Google ranked #2, what is the difference between buying backlinks to rank #1 or reducing your competitiors rank to #2, so you take the #1 spot ?

      Im not saying its right, but i fail to see any major difference.

      As for the family and children seeing this post, i do not feel i would have anything to explain. Yes it is a jerk move, but i have explained my thoughts in this thread.

      The majority of the replies are saying this will stop people from doing business with me. It's hard to understand, i would not cheat in the sense of stealing, conning or misleading someone. I am talking only about in the sense of ranking a site or a video.

      -Michael
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      • Profile picture of the author Black Hat Cat
        Banned
        Originally Posted by Michael_Lee View Post

        The majority of the replies are saying this will stop people from doing business with me. It's hard to understand, i would not cheat in the sense of stealing, conning or misleading someone. I am talking only about in the sense of ranking a site or a video.

        -Michael
        Why not? I thought you were willing to do whatever it takes to provide for yourself and your family.

        And im going to leave on quite a brutal note, but when it comes to money, i really care little about reducing someones own success in making money to improve my own. I know it sounds horrible, but i guess thats just the way i am.
        And that's why you're a loser. I know it sounds horrible, but that's just the way it is.
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  • Profile picture of the author MikeFriedman
    Alright, all ethics aside...

    If you want to get into these kind of techniques, just remember something. There are people doing this kind of stuff that have been doing it a lot longer than you, are far better at it than you, and are far smarter than you.

    Just see what happens when you start using techniques like this and, without knowing it, screw with something belonging to one of those people.
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  • Profile picture of the author travlinguy
    When you fraudulently report or sabotage someone's video or whatever you're doing you are stealing and misleading. But that's not the point.

    It's your intention that's going to bite you. Like begets like. If you run a straight value-based business, you're going to experience good rewards and good things will happen in your life.

    If you lie, and derail other people's efforts in the name of money or success the same things will come back to you. That's the part I didn't understand in my youth. I had to personally experience the inevitable consequences first hand many times before I got the connection. Maybe you will too...
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    • Profile picture of the author Diice
      Originally Posted by travlinguy View Post

      When you fraudulently report or sabotage someone's video or whatever you're doing you are stealing and misleading. But that's not the point.

      It's your intention that's going to bite you. Like begets like. If you run a straight value-based business, you're going to experience good rewards and good things will happen in your life.

      If you lie, and derail other people's efforts in the name of money or success the same things will come back to you. That's the part I didn't understand in my youth. I had to personally experience the inevitable consequences first hand many times before I got the connection. Maybe you will too...
      Maybe thats a good thing though, maybe it will set me straight.

      -Michael
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  • Profile picture of the author John Morrod
    Hi Michael

    I got my first Youtube account closed down after spending 2 years filling it with videos because someone used the techniques that you are describing. All because a competitor kept flagging one of my videos that had gotten 3,000 views in a few days promoting a newly released product. Not a nice experience when you are on the receiving end!
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    • Profile picture of the author Diice
      Originally Posted by John Morrod View Post

      Hi Michael

      I got my first Youtube account closed down after spending 2 years filling it with videos because someone used the techniques that you are describing. All because a competitor kept flagging one of my videos that had gotten 3,000 views in a few days promoting a newly released product. Not a nice experience when you are on the receiving end!
      Thanks for your input John, it was my impression that a flagged video goes under moderation by Youtube before they decide whether to remove a video or account?

      Is that wrong?
      -Michael
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      • Profile picture of the author John Morrod
        Originally Posted by Michael_Lee View Post

        Thanks for your input John, it was my impression that a flagged video goes under moderation by Youtube before they decide whether to remove a video or account?

        Is that wrong?
        -Michael
        Hi Michael

        Youtube are a law to themselves, there were no warnings and they would not answer my emails. I must have sent them at least 10 emails, it made no difference, put me off using Youtube for about 6 months.

        Hopefully, what goes around comes around some may wonder why they are making little progress and it could be the result of how they are treating others.

        Some of the top marketers that I've met, come across as genuinely likeable guys and gals who would not try to rise by standing on others and their results speak for themselves.

        Good luck with your White Hat ventures
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  • Profile picture of the author Theeban
    It is not good way of getting success. However, I have read somewhere in this forum, Google already aware such things, and planned to have a system for complaint such actions via some webmaster tools or etc... (I found that thread few days back over here).... So, This kind of "Negative SEO" or "Negative IM" may not lead to SUCCESS... It is kind of "Blackhat SEO"... - will not live for long so no worries ..... You can't cheat big "G" (Google)
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  • Profile picture of the author yukon
    Banned
    Originally Posted by Michael_Lee View Post

    So what do you think about using a similar technique with Youtube videos? E.g. Creating mutliple accounts and flagging/disliking competitors videos
    That won't do anything to a ranked video.

    Funny how people fall for the easy screw over the competition ideas, what a waste of time. :rolleyes:
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  • Profile picture of the author johnes4th
    Here's my take...

    1. if you are okay with doing it, then do it. Decide your own set of business ethics and stick too them. If you want to approach it from a games-theory standpoint, then that's fine.

    Just be prepared to deal with the repercussions if you do it to someone who has the resources and desire to do it back. Keep in mind, that if they find your videos, they will also be able to find your money sites and this game could get taken far outside of YouTube. Every game has a winner and a loser - just make sure you are prepared for the worse case scenario (getting your money site bashed) if you end up on the wrong side of things.

    2. If you don't already have a video towards the top, then taking out a handful of competitors may not provide a good ROI compared to simply boosting your own vid's

    3. If you do this consistently, YouTube could ban your accounts (more likely your dummy accounts) if they find out that you are flagging videos with "malicious intent".
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    • Profile picture of the author darrenlc
      I'm all for it when it comes to jumping above the competition with as little effort as possible. With this you can climb above your competitor and give them a chance to jump back ahead of you. However destroying the competition is totally different and if you do that to them I hope someone does it back to you. It's hard enough doing SEO at the moment without some idiot destroying your work which you could be relying on for an income.
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  • Profile picture of the author gabibeowulf
    What a controversial topic ...

    What bugs me is that people actually think they can win (and get wealthy) by knocking down other people's businesses.

    Yes, you'll make a quick buck by getting their videos down .. but that is hardly a smart strategy. Sure, there may be some isolated cases when people will just accept life sucks and leave it at that, but most people would be mad as hell and they'll do the same thing to you. You can't seriously expect to remain at the top for long after doing this.... If you're declaring war, you should be prepared for retaliation ...

    This is hardly a "winning" strategy.
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  • Profile picture of the author yougpeter
    Must say there is no point of doing that.I have seen many videos with like 200 dislikes and dislikes are more like hundred then likes and the video is still #1.The most important i think is quality video and links to that video.
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  • Profile picture of the author tooAlive
    Michael Lee.

    You just told me, as well as the entire forum, that you are incapable or providing genuine quality to your customers, and therefore must resort to taking down legitimate and honest competitors in order to get your product known.

    If I was one of your offline SEO clients, I would drop you in a heartbeat. And I would make sure none of my associates ever even considered hiring you.

    And not because I don't want the "bad karma" on my side (even though I do heartily believe in it), but because the last thing I would want is for my legitimate business to be even remotely associated with you, or any kind of your tactics and methods.

    I don't care what you say, if you're dishonest enough to sabotage the legitimate work your competitors are doing to sell your own sub-par and unworthy product, you're dishonest enough to lie and cheat your own customers to make a buck.

    That's what you're telling the world in this thread.

    And you know what? It doesn't matter if we're wrong in thinking so low of you, and you actually happen to provide good products and services. Because once your reputation is tainted, it quickly spreads to everything associated with you. - regardless what your true intentions are.

    If I ran into your WSO tomorrow, or any product for that matter, I wouldn't even bother opening the thread or clicking the link.

    What could you possibly have to teach me about SEO, ranking videos, or absolutely anything that has to do with IM when your proclaimed tactics involve taking out the competition?

    I'm sorry Mike, but if my competition is better than me, I work my ass off to provide better content, better service, and a better experience.

    And you can try to take my sites and videos down for as long as you want, but you you can't take away the quality I put into my products. And at the end of the day, quality is what will continue to sell, and build your business.

    So do yourself the favor and take a lesson or two on how to do things the right way. And not just because it's ethical, but at least to save yourself the cost of changing your name once one of your customers finds out what you've been up to.
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  • Profile picture of the author rowanman28
    I don't bother thinking about the competition much, just my own stuff. Work hard, that's really the only way to do anything. You make a good point that lowering another's rankings is the same as increasing your own, but if it's the same, then why focus on a negative that leaves such a bad taste in people's mouths?
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    • Profile picture of the author MissTerraK
      Originally Posted by rowanman28 View Post

      I don't bother thinking about the competition much, just my own stuff. Work hard, that's really the only way to do anything. You make a good point that lowering another's rankings is the same as increasing your own, but if it's the same, then why focus on a negative that leaves such a bad taste in people's mouths?
      Well put rowanman!

      It's just like in drag racing. A driver will win the race more times than not in focusing on himself, his car, the tree lights and getting to the finish line rather than focusing on what the driver in the next lane is doing.

      Getting caught up in mind games causes you to lose focus on the important things and can come back to bite ya in the end.

      Terra
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