Comments on: Don’t Mistake PR And Creatively Earned Editorial Links For Sponsored Conversations

By: Dan...

Dan... — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 20:48:35 +0000

@Adam: a couple points:
1) to say creativity-driven links are “not technically gaming” seems like circular logic to the core policy in question: both cash and non-cash approaches (that can be purchased with cash) are tools that benefit the deeper pocketed businesses — regardless of current technical interpretations of what link schemes are white/grey/black; and
2) there is no cash distinction for your election analogy. In fact, the sponsor of the federal election law amendment that disallows payments specifically defined payment as “money or something of value”. That’s why gifts and raffles can also run afoul of election laws — sound familiar to link-building contests. Therefore, the analogy actually supports what I’m suggesting: cash and non-cash efforts both hold the potential for deep-pocket influence (on search and elections)…at least with cash+disclosure the goals/conflicts are more transparent.

By: Adam Singer

Adam Singer — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 17:21:57 +0000

@Dan – that’s a great point as well – however, it’s not technically gaming the system since it is not direct. Also, at the end of the day in those cases, it still retains that the web is democratic in nature.

Let me give you an analogy to think about: think of a political election. The candidate with the most cash still cannot technically buy votes, that would be illegal, just as buying links is illegal. However they can spend more on creative marketing. At the end of the day though, it is still up to the voters.

By: Dan...

Dan... — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 17:05:12 +0000

Adam: great post…very thoughtful. As a blogger, advertiser and investor with sponsored conversations companies I’m conflicted, but it’s also caused me to think about this topic a bunch. You spawned a variety of questions, but I’ll start with one that relates to your core premise:

You state: “The search engines do not want and cannot allow a machine to exist that allows businesses with the deepest pockets to dump money into and achieve links to outrank those without as deep budgets – I agree with them 100%.”

However, given that your firm and other great SEO/Mktg/PR/consulting firms “sell creativity-driven links” in exchange for consulting cash, can’t “businesses with the deepest pockets dump money into [consulting firms who will deliver creativity] and achieve links to outrank those without as deep budgets”?

By: Adam Singer

Adam Singer — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 12:13:22 +0000

@Dennis – that’s a good idea, I will work on that. Dig your site a lot by the way, I found it via Internet Strategist.

By: Dennis Edell

Dennis Edell — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 12:07:17 +0000

Hey Adam, I’m dropping by to say thanks for dropping over at my place and I hope to see you ’round more often. :)

Also a favor – could you add a subscribe to comments plugin here?