Greg Grothaus one of Google Search Quality Engineers discuss duplicate content issues.  It’s a great discussion and he touches on a number of duplicate issues.  Greg couldn’t have been more direct and logical in his conclusions about the way duplicate content can pose a threat or simply not be an issue at all.

Richard over at SEO Gadget discussed a touchy topic.  He did the research to determine the ranking ratio for  authority of the page vs. the relevancy of the page.  Shockingly surprised for some the authority of the page means much more than the relevancy of the page.  However, it hard to say if this would stick in the long run or if its only a short term solution.

I believe it is very dependent on the state of the website.  If the website is branded and has trust within the search engines then irrelevant links will stick.  However, if the site is new without a web presence then it is advised to build relevant links as these will give the long term effect needed to succeed.

The point is the page of where the link resides may change in quality or value over time.  With this being the case, when these pages are devalued so are the links which linked from this page.  It’s never 100% when predicting the effectiveness of a page, but starting with the root domain will probably be a good start.

I use various strategies for affiliate marketing.  One of more better strategies involve creating local blogs on local news websites, basically I create niche specific blogs (if local niche then even better), I then write blog post on topic which fester opinion and views — I always give a link to more details or where to purchase (if a selling item) which redirects through one of my domains to my affiliate links.   These news websites usually have traffic levels over 100,000 sometimes over 1,000,000 — so the blog posts does get its fair share of traffic and click-throughs.  I focus on making the blog as personal as possible with local references when I write, I upload a photo (some person pic from the public domain — male or female, it depends on what I’m selling), I add a description, fill out a complete profile, I respond to private messages (I even agreed to meet folks before — I’ve never been in their state) and I participate in commenting on other blogs and news stories.  I also never promote anything until I have 15-20 posts.  I operate over 100 of these external “covert affiliate” blogs and make at least one post a week on each (well, my hired content writers do).  I don’t mind giving away the strategy because first of all its no secret for the guru affiliates out there, plus a lot of time and effort goes into it so many won’t last long enough to gain success, lastly without knowing specifically which niches work — well you know where I’m going with this!

Anyway, so I got my account disabled from one of the news networks where I have a blog hosted because I created a marketing campaign targeting a specific blog post on the network.  I suppose what happened is this triggered a red flag and got my account banned!

It wasn’t for days I didn’t know the account was disabled.  I blog approximately twice a week to the blog.  I had a Google Adwords campaign pointing to various posts on the blog I advise not driving large amounts of traffic to your external covert operations!  Especially, not through easily detectable pay per click links.  This may seem like common sense to most, but to me it seemed like a strategy!  Now, I have learned my lesson and have to learn my way around it!  :-)

I am actually one of the ones who like Skype, even though I don’t use it, because its forgettable.  I forget it even exist.  What I’ve learned about Skype is that most people don’t use it because the non-techie don’t know how to use it.  They find its difficult and confusing.

Let me ask you?  How do you make a free call with Skype?  Do you know?

It’s really simple, but they have lacked educating the public on their product.  They should take the time to making people understand how they can make a phone call with a download.  On their site pages it’s hard to find information about how to actually use the product, it goes as far as the download installation, but that’s it.  I am not talking about the product manual or help pages, but just simple hey this is how you talk — here’s what you’ll need.  This should be broadcasted on the homepage or highlighted, but it’s not!

How would you use MagicJack?  If you heard of MagicJack or seen a commercial within seconds you knew how it could be used.  You plug in a USB jack then attach your phone cord…that’s it!  This made the product look simple, easy, and useful.  Skype lacks this same interpretation, because not only are their ads non-educational, but their homepage doesn’t show any simplicity for their product.  All you know is you can make free phone calls using Skype, but you don’t know if you need your telephone, headset, microphone, or have to shout into the computer!

The next hurdle Skype will need to overcome is the increasing number of cable subscribed VoIP solutions, such as Time Warner Cable, Comcast, etc.  These big name brands have vested interest in their subscribers, even though overpriced subscribers are more likely to take on a contract with their cable company because they already trust them, they already rely on them, and the bill is consolidated with their other household luxuries such as cable TV, Internet service, and phone.

Ebay was smart enough to get rid of Skype for $1.9 billion plus an $125 million I.O.U. from a team of investors.  They purchased Skype in ‘05 for $3.1 billion after it was all said and done.  Ebay outbidded Google and Yahoo! who both were trying to acquire Skype at the time, but Ebay jumped out the window to win the bid.  Since its acquisition it hasn’t proved to be worth the investment.  Ebay is lucky enough to get as much as it has for this deal.

Surprisingly it seems Google is at it again with their behavioral targeting technology.  I  can’t be too sure, but either it was a freaky coincidence   or Gmail behavioral targeting software is sending me junk mail, based on my own messages.

Earlier I wrote a message that used a specific and unpopular phrase.  I sent the message to its recipient.  Later today I got a message in my main inbox from a mailer which usually would be found in my SPAM box, in the subject line was the same specific and unpopular phrase I had wrote in the message I sent earlier, but this message was completely separate.

Could this be completely coincidental or is Google starting to decide which messages are relevant to us by using advance behavioral targeting techniques?  If this is the case then it’s only a matter of time before Google will start using Gmail data for rank and position purposes.

If anyone else witnessed this strange occurrence then please share your story, I’d love to know if this is more than just a coincidence.

I’m a long time fan but first time caller!

Today, was my first experience with Google customer service.  First, I fired off a support email to Google — in hopes to get a live response, instead I got a auto-generated message that explained they received my message and here’s what I should do.  It listed a bunch of links to areas in their support forum about questions which may relate to my problem.  Stuff I already read and can’t help me!

Then it was difficult as hec trying to find the phone number, after a thorough search I found it on Google support forum 1-866-246-6453.  Next I called the number, selected option #2 for Google Adwords support, but only to be told “We cannot help you here, you need to visit Google Support online for help and submit the form — Goodbye!).  Everything I already done.  I called back and this time hit option #1 to type an extension for a Google employee, I hit 0 —

This is where it starts to heat up!  I finally got a voice.  Wow!  She said “Hello this is Google how may I direct your call?”.

I said, “I need to speak with someone in regards to my Adwords account.  I am trying to make a payment using a new credit card account but I am being declined by your system, can someone help and tell me what’s wrong?”

She said, “hold on one sec” — sounding as if I was bothering her, like she was in the middle of something.

She came back probably 10 seconds later and said “Adwords support doesn’t take phone calls, you’ll have to go through the support form online”.

I politely explained, “I’ve already been this route, but doesn’t seem to be helping, I can’t get a live response.”

She said, “Well I’m sorry there’s nothing I can do.”

I said, “Can you transfer me somewhere or to someone that can help?”

She said, “No, there isn’t anything anyone can do.”

This is where I got semi-explosive, I said “What do you mean nothing anyone can do?  I said, my ads are currently not displaying and it’s been in this state all weekend, I need my ads to run and need this issue resolved a.s.a.p., what do you mean nothing anyone can do?”  I said, “Is this Google, the billion-dollar company and the largest corporation in America, or world for that matter!  How is there no one that can help me, are you telling me there is no one in the company who tends to Adwords.”

She fevereshily said, “I’m sorry, nothing I can do.  Adwords do not receive calls, all support is done online.  There is no one I can transfer you to.”

Some other minor things were discussed in between, but fast forward, I said, “May I talk with your manager?”

She said, “No he doesn’t receive calls.”

I said, “What is your name?”

She said, “I can’t give out that information.”

I said, “Well what is your first name?”

She said, “I can’t give you that.”

I said, “What?”  I may have been born at night, but not last night — you can’t sit here and tell me that a receptionist or customer service rep do not give out their first name.  I mean that customer service 101, give a name to open up dialogue and good communication.  Even Dell, know this!

In any event, the call ended something to the effect — You are a piece of &#!^%

Admittedly, the problem was with my bank, but I decided to go the Google route first, since my card worked with all other accounts I updated.  Anyway, it was a lesson to be learned, because I had no idea Google customer service sucked this bad!

Google is better off charging a fee for phone support (that is real and quality) than telling customers there is no phone support for a product most people pour thousands into.

I can’t say I’ll never use Google Adwords again, because it’s a much needed product but it definitely lets me know it’s a “USE AT YOUR OWN RISK” policy.  Something I never would have thought from a company with its status.  This is another reminder that Google doesn’t care about the people who really make them who they are.

A company as large as Google really should be setting trends in this area and supplying great customer service.  Regardless, how you feel about Micorsoft I can almost guarantee Adcenter support would be a better experience.  At least Microsoft would tell you that you would need to pay for phone support and have several different package tiers to buy into.  Google, just don’t have phone support for Adwords!  Shameful.

So, I got my account deactivated on Mailchimp because they say for SPAM complaints, but that is totally bogus because my subscriber list of about 15 subscribers were all opt-in on their own accord.

I once had a newsletter sign up form on Self Taught SEO, it was for the promotion of my upcoming book.  The basis of the newsletter was to publish pages of my book through the newsletter so essentially subscribers get spoon fed the book before its release.  I signed up for a Mailchimp account about 2-3 weeks ago because it was free and seemed reliable.  Everything was fine until they deactivated my account and kicked me out of their system.

Here is the email they sent me:

Hello Anthony,

Your account was suspended because of excessive direct spam complaints and your content is written as if you are emailing folks that have never heard of your organization before.

Our service is a strict permission based newsletter service, we do not support sales prospecting type messaging.

Noting your content formatting and the complaints, we are not going to be able to assist you with your email delivery needs.  You’ll need to look for a different vendor for assistance.

I don’t have any issue with Mailchimp accounts who violate their terms or those who spam, but in no way did I spam or violate their use.  First, 15 subscribers is not enough to get validated as a spammer — which tells me that one person can call you spammer and that’s it Mailchimp will ban your account.  That’s not good, because people make mistakes and some forget they signed up for some newsletters.

The thing is it is simple for them to see if I am a spammer or not, simply take a look at my account and see the messages I sent out as well as the way I retrieved my subscribers.  They will easily notice that all 15 subscribers came by way of newsletter signup and not manually loaded by myself.

Admittedly, I may needed some help on my copy because it was kinda shabby.  I tried explaining in the first message that I will include affiliate links in future mailings for monterary purposes, but not to take offense and not to click any links if they do not agree with the monetization agenda.  However, I also attempted to make it perfectly clear in the same message that I will not saturate the newsletter with affiliate links nor would I use any affiliate which I do not fully endorse.  With that said, I had about 20-25 autoreponder messages all set up and ready to go week by week, none of these message had any affiliate links within.

I probably could have done without that message as it probably was the reason for my demise, but still my newsletter had no affiliate links in it regardless what I tried to explain.  Even though I did have every intention of sprinkling affiliate links across the newsletter.  But the newsletter itself was valuable for readers, because it was written to help people learn SEO, basically pages from the book optimized for the newsletter.

I honestly think Mailchimp agenda was to release me because of my SEO status and the fact that I had a newsletter that wasn’t to their liking.  You know how you start a website with a vision of a certain audience and visitor.  I remeber years ago when I started a blog hosting website I wanted only a certain visitor to host their blog on my site.  I remember the first active blogger to the site was someone who was into the Goth lifestyle and that’s all they wrote about, it frustrated me to wits end, but I didn’t allow my beliefs and preference dictate who joins my site nor did I allow it to make me discriminate against any particular group.  Another thing that probably got Mailchimp panties in a bunch is the fact I wasn’t a paying member which made it worse.

It’s obvious to me that they had a different agenda or vision for their website and the spam blame was just a way to get rid of me.   That tells me that the business is not being ran by business-minded folks, because just like the Goth blogger on my website — I could have potentially become a faithful member who upgraded to paid services.  I tried rectifying the issue with Mailchimp, here is what I sent them in response:

Hi,

Can I please know about spam complaints?  I haven’t spammed anyone, everyone on the list is opt-in — I only have about 15 subscribers, with no unsubscribes, so how can this raise spam concerns?  Also, my content is written to help people learn — I don’t have one affiliate link in any of the content and links to my website in only one newsletter post.  Is there anyway I can talk to someone over the phone in regards to this matter?  I am a fan of MailChimp and wish to have this matter reinvestigated and my account reinstated.  I think a mistake has been made.  Please advise.

After this email, I heard crickets…no response.  Obviously, they don’t want me as a member.  Am I mad, no … not at all, I’ve been through worse.  But am I disappointed and think Mailchimp is a bunch of crap!  Cold-heartendly…YES.

I wish this company was a little more mature because they have way too much time on their hands if they are reacting harshly to spam complaints from an account with less than 15 subscribers.  Imagine if large autoresponder companies did that, like GetResponse or AWebber?  They would be out of business because I’m sure the spam complaint ratio is really high.  I wouldn’t expect spam reaction until at least an account has 100 subscribers and at least 20% complained.

The proper approach mailchimp should have token is at least contact me with a warning and telling me that they had a number of spam complaints from my account and if they continue to receive complaints then they will be closing my account.  A warning or something.  I can’t be a member with a company who is responsible for storing my subscribers data and make rash decisions to ban members without warning or giving the opportunity for me to download and retrieve subscriber details.

Not one of the 15 subscribers unsubscribed from the newsletter so there is no way for me to know my newsletter wasn’t being well recieved.  Who knows the true reason behind Mailchimp banning me, but I am glad I learned their unruly business practice early before I had hundreds of subscribers or worse paid for upgraded services, because that was my next step if the newsletter continued to grow as it was.

It’s been 5 days now and I’m thinking Mailchimp is not going to respond to my email, but I am at the point where I am better off without them so I doubt I’ll care about being reinstated.  I can’t be with a company who holds crucial data to my business but will delete an account due to a single spam complaint and then leave me with no way to retrieve my crucial data (subscriber info).  I wouldn’t advise you to rely on this company and don’t put all your eggs in one basket, because you may be next!

If you have a current and active Mailchimp account then I advise that you download and save your subscriber data frequently, also have a backup email provider because I warn, the ban comes out of no where!  No warning.

Anyway, I am on a hunt for a great autoresponder company which have good features so if you have any ideas then let me know!

1. In the beginning everyone hates you, so have thick skin
2. If anyone can personally identify you then you are not doing a good job as an affiliate
3. Learning organic SEO and PPC will prove to be invaluable
4. Having a staff of talented content writers is well worth the expense
5. There’s more money in extreme target niches which interest you

Have you ever had an exercise work out routine with the plan to build muscles so you are bigger and stronger?  When working out for muscle and mass if you don’t follow a plan then failure is usually around the corner.  If you skip too many days of your workout routine then in most cases you’ll never accomplish your goal.  If you build your muscles to a great size then make the decision to never work out again you’ll lose all your hard work.  Depending on the day you usually will work out on different areas of the body.  You learn not to work out everyday, because you build muscles faster if you give them the proper time to grow and rest.  When considering building muscles and mass it is understood that it is a long term goal.  All of these principles can be applied to SEO in a similar fashion.