Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Local Video Spam!

Leave it to MerchantCircle to figure out how to game the system. They've done a big deal with Spotzer (similar to Spotrunner, etc - produce local videos) to produce thousands and thousands of video ads for local businesses. They'll use the businesses information to create the ads, but from the looks of the sample, they aren't doing any customization or adding any information, real value, or real images or video of the business. Here's the text from the sample ad (a home theater store in Tennessee):

"When it comes to shopping, it's not easy to find just the right thing. Well look no further. We've got what you're looking for" (business name, phone number, city state and zip shown at the end - no street address)

So, what's the point of these ads, since they don't really provide any information on the business. They don't even include the street address, just a phone number (most likely a tracking number) and City information? The point is to be taken in by Google as "video spam", hoping Google will index the city information and phone number. If a user looking for information does see this, they'll have to call the number or click through to get any real information. This is what makes it spam. No real value or information, just there to fool Google. Let's hope they're too smart for this. But that's MerchantCircle for you.

MerchantCircle and Spotzer Partner for SMB Vids « Screenwerk

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