info [ AT ] redcardinal [ DOT ] ie
Beware Of SEOs Bearing Gifts
I’ve written a lot in the past about shady dealings and outright scams. I’ve also received legal threats on multiple occasions after writing about what I felt was pretty underhand tactics. These days I try to be a little more tactful, but sometimes the lows I see people stoop to really grind my gears.
We Cant find Your Site On Google.ie
A client received this yesterday from a
—–Original Message—–
From: John Hartley [mailto:traffic@persimmonpublishing.com]
Sent: 28 July 2009 09:03
To: info@somesite.ie
Subject: I visited your website and had a questionHello,
I was looking at websites under the keyword ‘widget services’ and came
across your site http://www.somesite.ie. I see that you’re ranked
first, but on page 7 in google.ie.I’m not sure if you’re aware of why you’re ranked this low but more
importantly how easily this can be corrected.There’s no reason you can’t have a top three ranking for this keyword
based on your site structure and content. You have a very nice site.You need significantly more one way anchor text backlinks. If you’re
interested I can help you with this…I’m talking about getting you ranked for ALL your keywords. Adding new
backlinks on a steady and consistent basis from high PR quality websites
is what produces the rankings you are looking for.The right kind of links are very critical in getting top ranking….and
I can hand deliver these quality links to you.My partners and I own 1000′s websites and offer private linking to
hundreds of website owners just like yourself.I didn’t send this email out to thousands of people but I am currently
reaching out to a list of your ‘keyword competitors’ as well. But you’re
my favourite and you are the one I really favour and the one I see I can
monetize the targeted website traffic our linking can deliver.I have your contact info as: phone no: 01
xxx xxxx. Is it ok if I give
you a call?I have a very simple way to prove that what I do works and it’s risk
free for you to try. Nothing beats seeing the results with your own eyes.Is it ok if I give you a call? I would love to pursue this further over
the phone with you or should I go somewhere else?Sincerely,
John Hartley
Tel: 0845 301 7737
Director, Persimmon Publishing LtdPersimmon Publishing Ltd is Registered in England Reg. No. 05078726, VAT
No 723 369236.
Registered Office: 311 Shoreham Street, Sheffield S2 4FA, UK
I’ve redacted some info to protect the innocent. So let’s deal with all the “facts” offered by John.
Site Ranks #1 on Page 7 of Google.ie
“I see that you’re ranked first, but on page 7 in google.ie.”
For the keyword given by John (but redacted above) the site in question has ranked #1 pretty much constantly for a few years now. That’s #1 ‘web search’ on page #1 of google.ie.
Persimmon Publishing and Partners Run Domain and Link Farms
“The right kind of links are very critical in getting top ranking….and
I can hand deliver these quality links to you.My partners and I own 1000′s websites and offer private linking to
hundreds of website owners just like yourself.”
So let’s be clear here – John and his ‘partners’ over at Persimmon Publishing own large networks of sites, and they can give you links that will help you rank just like that. Apart from being a somewhat shady SEO tactic, these guys can also turn off those links at any time. So what’s the difference between this and Adwords? Both are chronic, but you’re a lot less likely to get banned from Adwords.
The Inferred Blackmail Threat – Buy Our Service Or We’ll Help Your Competitors
“I didn’t send this email out to thousands of people but I am currently
reaching out to a list of your ‘keyword competitors’ as well. But you’re
my favourite and you are the one I really favour and the one I see I can
monetize the targeted website traffic our linking can deliver.”
Actually I’m willing to bet that John Hartley of Persimmon Publishing Ltd probably did send this out to thousands of people. It’s most likely automated, although it has been written in a way to look fairly genuine.
But the blackmailing reference to contacting direct competitors is disturbing also. For hard-pressed business owners the possibility that this guy will go and point his link network onto a competitors site must be worrying. But you know – if you’re a sucker now what’s to stop the highly ethical Persimmon Publishing from raising your prices later to avoid them defecting to your competition?
If It Sounds Too Good To Be True…
For anyone worried about this – DONT. What these guys are offering (if it’s even real) might work for a few sites in the short term, but I guarantee it wont last in the long run. If you’re concerned about possible scams involving Google or SEO I’d recommend you read this. If you do receive an email from the same company I’d love to hear about it.
Richard,
Good on you for exposing this.
I’m sorry to hear you’ve received legal threats for doing it in the past – but it only makes good, clean SEO a tougher market having **** like this being thrown around at our clients.
I have to let a client of mine know at least 2 or 3 times a month that the latest “guarantee you top-notch position on Google” email he just received is simply a scam.
I’m not as brave as you – but I think I’ll start publishing some of these myself.
Good work.
Ricardo
Comment by Ricardo — July 28, 2009 @ 4:15 pm
Ha,
Nice post. The bit i find a little off is the reference to competitors. This is a pretty bad example of aggressive selling.
Although to play devils advocate (its always fun). It does bring up an interesting point on these type of services. Being able to seed optimised articles out good PR sites, where the only link on that page is to your site, does work (although as you say, it can be switched off). Dependent on your market, it may be essential that you engage in some type of aggressive links (I am not discussing the service you mentioned above but similar ones that are deemed aggressive). If a business doesn’t, they could very well go under before Google adjusts the playing field accordingly.
I always think it’s best to make a client aware of what their competitors are doing to achieve top spot and then lay all options out on the table, good and bad points.
Sorry, this comment felt a bit rantish. Funny enough, I have just wrote a post on a great link analysis tool that recommends buying links in their reports …
Nice post Richard …
Comment by Kieran — July 31, 2009 @ 6:46 pm
Hi Richard – I was a bit confused as to what you meant in the lines “So what’s the difference between this and Adwords? Both are chronic, but you’re a lot less likely to get banned from Adwords.”
Just wondering if you could clarify as I was kind of curious.
Cheers,
Frank
Comment by Frank P — July 31, 2009 @ 7:00 pm
My take on it would be you are dependent on bought traffic that will disappear when switched off i.e. your rank will disappear overnight if links are removed …
I could be wrong though
Comment by Kieran — August 1, 2009 @ 9:20 am
>> I could be wrong though
No. Nail on head Kieran.
Been reading some of your posts recently. You’ve been writing some good stuff. Congrats.
@Frank – these guys are basically offering to sell you links on other sites for a monthly fee. If you stop paying the links stop working. Of course that assumes that these links have any value in the first place, and given that this guy obviously isn’t a pro (he wouldn’t need to spam people if he was) I very much doubt his network has value.
Rgds to both
Richard
Comment by Richard Hearne — August 1, 2009 @ 9:24 am
Thanks for clarifying – I just didn’t follow because I would see them as very different in terms of their aims.
I was also curious that the tone seemed to be anti adwords, but is this in terms of adwords as an exclusive measure rather than as part of an online marketing strategy?
Comment by Frank P — August 1, 2009 @ 1:49 pm
Just to let you know this organization seems to be at it again – I received one this morning with exactly the same wording. Thanks to your post I will not be taking it seriously!
Comment by charlie — February 16, 2010 @ 9:59 am
Just to let you know I just got an identical letter. Proves they are still at it. Good job I picked you up on Google.
Andrew
Comment by Andrew Calvert — October 12, 2010 @ 12:09 pm
Richard,
So here we are almost 3 months away from this time last year and I find myself completing a quick bit of research on a company as already stated above, promising the world to one of my clients and low and behold you’ve beaten me too it! I also have to laugh at their site too. Well done on publishing this so that everybody else becomes aware of this scam.
Brad Roberts
Comment by Gosh Media — June 7, 2011 @ 11:16 am
Just thought I’d add our recent experience just a couple of daysago too, as he tries it on with one of our clients. He certainly likes to harass in his call to action. This is the last part of his email and interestingly enough agree totally, that cold emailing, certainly doesn’t say much for his client base and work load.
“But you’re my favourite and you are the one I really favour and the one I see I can monetize the targeted website traffic our linking can deliver. I have your contact info as”” phone no: Is it ok if I give you a call? I have a very simple way to prove that what I do works. Nothing beats seeing the results with your own eyes.
Is it ok if I give you a call? I would love to pursue this further over the phone with you or should I go somewhere else? Sincerely, John Hartley
Director, Persimmon Publishing Ltd
Comment by Brad Roberts — June 8, 2011 @ 9:14 pm
I’m his favourite too!!! I feel so special LOL
Comment by Mark — May 21, 2012 @ 10:42 am