Website operators ‘stretching the truth’ over page hits

Melbourne, July 24 : An expert from the Internet Advertising Bureau has warned that website operators are using tricks to boost traffic numbers in the eyes of advertisers.
Patty Keegan says that one such trick to boost click counts is stretching news stories across multiple pages.
"There are things like news sites that rotate new ads in as news is updated," The Australian quoted her as saying.
"Perhaps the most nefarious thing I saw was in another country where two newspapers were competing evenly for the same market. Overnight one of the newspapers suddenly doubled its page impressions, and it turned out they had split their national news page into two pages," she added.
She even said that the IAB was undertaking a concerted review with the aim of developing a new, more accurate audience measurement system.
Meanwhile, several key buyers of online advertising have admitted that they do not believe the numbers most of the websites claim.
"They are just not believable. I have spoken to a number of media buyers out there and they say the same thing," one online ad agency founder said.
Pop-up advertising, which helped increase impression numbers, is another element many websites are countering to offer best practice to advertisers.
"The first trend we''re seeing is an increasing use of pay-per-click search marketing by publishers to drive website traffic on news items," says Sandra Hanchard, an analyst with online monitoring company Hitwise.
"This is important because search engines account for more than one in five visits to news and media print websites," Hanchard adds.
She says that news publishers have even started to utilise social networking sites to boost traffic.
"News and media print websites are receiving more traffic from Web 2.0 properties," she says.
"Social networking websites increased their referrals to news and media print websites by 148.6 per cent, comparing May 2007 to May 2008," she adds.
Simon Van Wyck, founder of web advertising company Hothouse, says that many web publishers and portals count visitors to allied sites, but do not necessarily have the right to claim such traffic — like Ninemsn, which claims Hotmail and Yahoo.
"I think you can look at other things, such as claiming traffic that is not theirs," Van Wyck says.
Keegan points out that most of the times the problem occurs when advertisements are refreshed along with the stories, creating the impression of more traffic. (ANI)

Blue Moon Works, Inc. Selected as one of "The Ten Most Dependable™" Search Engine Marketing Firms in the United States

Denver, CO (PRWEB) July 22, 2008 -- Blue Moon Works, Inc., a new media marketing agency based in Denver, has been selected by Goldline Research as one of "The Ten Most Dependable" Search Engine Marketing Firms in the United States. The list will be published in the August 1st issue of Inc. Magazine.

By utilizing best practices and pioneering new solutions in search engine optimization, pay-per-click campaign management, email marketing, social media, mobile and international website strategies, Blue Moon Works is an agency that constantly integrates the latest strategies to ensure clients’ success.
"Being recognized as one of the most dependable SEM companies is a significant to us. We pride ourselves in helping our clients find their sweet spot of maximum revenue from the search engines while achieving or beating their ROI goals," said Cindy Brown, President and CEO of Blue Moon Works. "The world of search engine marketing continues to change at a very fast pace and we are passionate about helping our clients optimize these channels."
The selection process conducted by Goldline Research included individual company interviews with different SEM agencies, quantitative analysis of key company data, as well as customer interviews to confirm high levels of customer service.
"Blue Moon Works truly distinguished itself during our evaluation of the industry," said Allen Scott, Research Director, Goldline Research. "The firm met or exceeded every expectation we have for holistic, client-centric firms."
About Blue Moon Works, Inc.Blue Moon Works, Inc. is a new media marketing agency dedicated to helping clients optimize their website and new media channels to generate more leads, more sales, and more profit while improving services. By utilizing best practices and pioneering new solutions in SEO, PPC, email marketing, social media, mobile and international website strategies, Blue Moon Works enables clients to realize the potential of their online channel. To learn more about Blue Moon Works, Inc. visit: http://www.bluemoonworks.com/.
About Goldline ResearchGoldline Research is a third-party, independent research firm specializing in evaluating professional services firms. Goldline Research undertakes an extensive, in-depth research process to review all qualified companies in a respective area. Its proprietary research process includes individual company interviews and quantitative analysis of key company data, as well as customer reference checks to confirm high levels of customer service. Those companies that ultimately earn Goldline Research’s Most Dependable™ designation demonstrate a commitment to service unparalleled in their industry.

Bad Clicks: Attorney Sues Google For Fraud

A Boston attorney who purchased search ads through Google has sued the company for fraud, alleging that some of his ads were displayed on sites that yielded clicks, but no clients.
In the lawsuit, quietly filed last Friday in federal court in San Jose, Calif., lawyer Hal Levitte complains that his pay-per-click search ads ended up on "parked domains," or sites that only contained ads, and "error" sites, or pages shown to Web users who had typed invalid URLs into their browsers.
Levitte asserts that he enrolled in Google's content network and search network without realizing his ads would be shown on the "low-quality" parked domain and error sites. He alleges that Google said its search network included AOL, Ask.com, Shopping.com and other sites, and that its content network included The New York Times, InfoSpace, foodnetwork.com and others.
"Including parked domains and error pages within the search and content networks is the opposite of what AdWords advertisers like plaintiffs expected," the lawsuit alleges. "Google's practice of including parked domain and error pages within the search network is misleading, since no actual searches are performed on these pages. Likewise, Google's practice of including parked domains and error pages within the content network is also misleading, since most of these sites include little or no content."
Google did not respond to a request for comment.
Levitte alleges that between June and August of last year, 202,528 of his ads were displayed through Google's "parked domain" program. Those ads drew 668 clicks, but did not result in any conversions. In that same time frame, his ads were displayed 1,009 times through Google's "AdSense for errors" program. Those garnered 25 clicks, and no conversions.
In all, he says he spent $136, or 15% of his total campaign budget, on the parked domain and AdSense for errors ads.
He complained to Google and asked for a refund, but the search company allegedly refused. "In an email from AdWords support to plaintiff, Google wrote: 'My team verified that the clicks you have been charged for appear to fit a pattern of normal activity,'" the lawsuit states.
Levitte's complaint includes allegations that Google's actions were unfair, fraudulent and resulted in an unjust enrichment, and is seeking class-action status. Among other requests, he is asking for a refund and an injunction ordering Google to make it easier for marketers to opt out of the parked domains and error programs. "We feel that the disclosures remain inadequate," said one of his lawyers, San Francisco-based Kimberly Kralowec.
Google also faces an unrelated trademark infringement lawsuit stemming from its parked domains program. In that case, golf club manufacturer Vulcan Golf argues that Google violates the Vulcan Golf trademark by serving of ads on sites with URLs that appear similar, such as vulcanogolf.com.

WebMetro to Present SEO Workshop at Art Institute of California

Leading interactive agency WebMetro will teach a workshop on one of the most talked about business growth initiatives, search engine optimization.
(live-PR.com) - WebMetro’s Search Engine Optimization (SEO) Director John McCarthy will teach a workshop on how to optimize a website for top rankings, at the Art Institute of California’s Invasion of Creativity on July 10, 2008. The workshop is open to the public and will be held in San Bernardino, CA.

“WebMetro is delighted to help educational efforts for professionals looking to strengthen and grow their business through Internet marketing. Search engine optimization is a powerful Internet marketing tool for gaining new customer acquisition and increasing visibility,” said McCarthy.WebMetro implements SEO as a critical part of an integrated Internet marketing strategy rather than a standalone tactic. With a solid track record of helping clients obtain top search engine rankings, WebMetro has extensive Internet marketing and search engine optimization experience.During the two-hour session, McCarthy will show attendees how to develop a search engine optimization action plan, how to perform keyword research, assess competitors, evaluate website architecture and many other critical components for a successful SEO campaign. For more information on the SEO workshop and other WebMetro events, go to www.webmetro.com/Events.asp. About WebMetroSince 1995, WebMetro has delivered powerful Internet marketing services to help online advertisers maximize ROI and profitably gain market share. Headquartered in Los Angeles, WebMetro is one of only four agencies in the Southern California area named a Top Interactive Agency by BtoB magazine, a premiere marketing authority. WebMetro holds a strong reputation for superior results. Clients range from aggressive entrepreneurs to Fortune 50 companies. Internet marketing services include pay per click advertising, search engine optimization, Internet consulting, e-Commerce development, website design and development, online video marketing, and web analytics. WebMetro publishes a blog titled Digital Marketing Factor at www.webmetro.com/Blog/ with Internet marketing insight, advice, and musings. For more information on how WebMetro helps online advertisers Unleash the Power of Digital Marketing, call (866) 922-4632 or visit http://www.webmetro.com/.Contact:Lydia Chen Shah909.599.8885info@webmetro.com