Do a Google search for our startup free online dating site, 3loves, and this comes up in the results.
If you click on the link it takes you to RSVP. This is very clever Search Engine Optimisation by Fairfax Digital, the owners of RSVP and reflects a manipulation of Google search results. In the bricks and mortar world this could be considered passing off your product as something else to get a prospect interested.
I don’t know why Fairfax would go to so much trouble, we are barely an ant to their gigantic online dating site. Maybe it has something to do with RSVP costing around $30 a month for members to do what they can do at 3loves for free. Whatever the reason, Fairfax ought to stop manipulating Google search results as it’s scams like this which will lead to distrust.
People using Google and other search engines need to be able to trust search results and games like those played by Fairfax dilute that trust. Someone searching for 3loves wants to find entries which refer to 3loves, not entries created solely to siphon this traffic off to a website which has no relationship at all with 3loves.
There are enough scammers in the online dating world already. I wold have thought Fairfax too successful to engage in these games.
3loves is a social media site launched to support our Find It online classifieds business – a online model we are launching with newsagents.
It appears this is not the only domain they are using to siphon potential users. The result below the one you have posted also links to RSVP.
The result is for http://www.adult-match-maker.com.au/on-line-aussie-match-maker/. Not only does it have mention of 3LOVES in the result, but it uses a domain name similar to that of the popular http://www.adultmatchmaker.com.au
Fairfax Digital may be digging themselves a hole here. While laws pertaining to the use of domain names and deliberate search engine manipulation are not 100% clear at the present time, i would say Faifax Digital may be crossing from ethically clouded to borderline illegal.
I know it is a US case but it is worth noting the US rock band Pearl Jam and their legal challenge to the use of a misleading domain name http://www.pearljams.com – read about the decision here
Its a shame Fairfax Digital have to stoop this low to drive internet traffic to their site.
I am sure Google would be interested in this as it sours Googles reputation as well.
Inform Google and ask Fairfax to stop. Tell Google how they respond. All’s fair in love and business I guess…
I’ve formally advised Google. Hopefully they will act and stop this search result manipulation by Fairfax.
If you actually bothered to do some investigation, you would realise that this is in fact not Fairfax Digital doing this. It appears to be an overzealous affiliate. Check out the whois results:
romancedating.com.au
——————–
Registrant
Name
ZAHER, EIHAB
Handle
C4530989-AR
Person
eihab zaher
Email
Visit whois.ausregistry.com.au for Web based WhoIs
Domain
Name
romancedating.com.au
UpdatedDate
15-Oct-2006 23:54:49 UTC
Status
OK
NameServer
ns1.myhostingspace.com
NameServer
ns2.myhostingspace.com
adult-match-maker.com
———————
Registrant
Name
ZAHER, EIHAB
Handle
C4606235-AR
Person
ihab zaher
Email
Visit whois.ausregistry.com.au for Web based WhoIs
Domain
Name
adult-match-maker.com.au
UpdatedDate
25-Nov-2006 00:45:29 UTC
Status
OK
NameServer
ns1.myhostingspace.com
NameServer
ns2.myhostingspace.com
At worst, I’d say that Fairfax Digital were guilty of not vetting their affiliates.
Seth,
I was just about to update and note that I had been contacted by the CEO of Commission Monster with similar information – that this is a rogue affiliate. They did not provide any details of the affiliate.
This situation has existed for at least two and probably more months. Fairfax was paying for a service and the beneficiary of the traffic. This, in my view, makes them culpable and Commission Monster an accessory.
Mark