Search Engine Watch

[supine]

Hi everyone,
I often refer to Search Engine Watch (members) for information about any topics I need to research.
Today I noticed a link on the front (public) page http://searchenginewatch.com stating "Sponsored by Overture" linking to their paid listings submissiion page.
Is this new? I usually go straight to the members area so may have missed it.
If it is new, any comments anyone?
Thanks

[Advisor]

I never noticed it before. It's possible it's just a new graphic. But it could be a whole new sponsorship. Internet.com needs to make money like any company, so having an Overture sponsorship would make sense.

Jill

[bigDugan]

Personally, I would be very leery of any "Search Engine Forum" that had/has a Search Engine for sponsor.

It is a conflict of interest.

The forum will have a biased opinion about the advertiser. The ad was placed hoping that it will generate income. I dont think the forum will say anything bad about the advertiser-- they want you to click on the ad! (so they make money) Just by placing the ad, the forum has made an implied endorsement. I think it would be hard for them to play both sides of the field. And I dont think the SE advertiser would want to advertise on a forum, if the users were saying negative things about them.

This already happened on another forum. The sysop was deleting all negative posts, and banning ANYONE who DARED posted anything negative against his advertiser GOTO.

[ihelpyou]

hey supine, I don't see that link anywhere. Where is it?

hey BigD, that is Danny's site, not a forum. :) I do agree that internet.com needs to make money as well.

[Advisor]

I haven't thought about it much, but if Overture wanted to sponsor an issue or two of Rank Write, I do believe I would accept it.

Doesn't mean I wouldn't trash them if I felt a trashing was necessary. I tell it like it is regardless of who's advertising. I would of course make that clear up front. I'm sure that Danny did the same thing (if he even had anything to do with it). As a journalist, Danny has a lot of editorial integrity. If he becomes biased, his site and it's information loses credibility. Neither Danny, Search Engine Watch or Internet.com want that, which is why it's not gonna happen.

Jill

P.S. Overture and other search engines often sponsor the Search Engine Strategies conferences also. It's not a problem.

[bigDugan]

It just seems like it would be hard to remain truly objective, if you are sitting in someone's pocket. I guess it's NOT like consumer reports!;)that is Danny's site, not a forumLOL, my mistake!:) It's a site-- so, it's OK!;) There is nothing wrong with either, or making money! But you never, never, bite the hand that feeds you....

[bigDugan]

...if you do, you might go hungry!:(

[supine]

Hi Doug,

the link is on the main Search Engine Watch home page just below the banner, not on the newsletters but the main site:

http://searchenginewatch.com/

I really rate the site for the depth and quality of information but I still like to know who is paying who in this area as much as who partners who in the search engine/directory world.

If we hope for unbiased information, if there is ever such a thing, we have to be able to question and discuss as shown in this forum.
Cheers

[ihelpyou]

LOL. Just below what banner on the home page? I see zero banners on the searchenginewatch front page.

Please clue me in as I see NO sponsored link or anything like that. Thanks. :)

[bigDugan]

unbiased information, if there is ever such a thingSo TRUE, what do they say about opinions............Everybody's got one!:D

[bigDugan]

Right under biglogo.gif, it says: Sponsored by Overture

[ihelpyou]

NOPE. Nadda. Ain't there from this end of the world. Sorry. The word 'Overture' is not on the front page of Danny's site anywhere.

[Alan Perkins]

Doug

You run something that strips ads, don't you? That might just explain what you are not seeing. :)

[bigDugan]

LOL

How about this cached (http://www.google.com/search?q=cache:x8-_7Kg1BlkC:searchenginewatch.com/+&hl=en) version?

There is also an overture (ad.doubleclick) ad on the top left, under the WPG ad.

[ihelpyou]

LOL. Good thinking Alan! :D

Okay, now I see it. I do have to say I am quite surprised. Not that internet.com needs to make money but that the link is placed in such a prominent place as to lead the visitors directly out of the site so fast.

Now I know why I leave my zapper on. :)

[Advisor]

I'm glad you guys figured that out! I was beginning to think our little Dougie needed glasses! :nerd:

J

[ihelpyou]

hey supine, I do agree with you in that one should always know who is paying who, etc. Especially if the site is fee based and offers information, etc. A very good idea to know where ideas and info might be coming from.

In Danny's case, I do agree with Jill in that I am very sure he is completely unbiased with his site and conferences.

I do wish there was another sponsor in that prominent place though. :D

[supine]

The link particularly caught my attention because it tries to be unassuming yet as Doug said it is in a very prominent position and from the few words it looks like they sponsor the entire site not a particular edition or section.

I realise that optimisation, marketing and advertising are very close bedfellows but sponsorship can be a totallly different relationship to advertising, be it affiliate or whatever and can indeed lead to conflicts of interest in certain cases. I an sure that Danny thought it all through very carefully and will retain his integrity.

However, search engine optimisation (or should that be marketing? Who was it calling for a re-naming of the profession?) has had to take on board the paid listings/pay per click area as it has become so influential and often insisted on by clients so any further spread of that influence and market penetration is of the upmost interest to any one involved with the search business.

Every search related business is looking for new streams of income but this forum has always seemed very strong on its attitude to the ethics of the business and long may it stay the same.

[Cavetoad]

Yikes,
I think on the one hand that it's clearly an ad and will mostly be ignored by the banner ad weary masses but on the other hand it does look more like Overture is the main sponsor of the site, like that they built it or had it built, that you'd somehow expect to find lots on overture stuff there. Looks like it's saying in other words,
Overture Presents, Search Engine Watch!

A little like my favorite TV sports sponsor mention from the NCAA Men's basketball tourney,
"Pennzoil At The Half! Sponsored by Pennzoil"
So redundant, yet so entertaining.

I'm also thinking that if Danny started pointing out issues with Overture to the users ( not that I'm saying there are any ) that overture would pull out from the deal. I don't think it'll affect his impartiality on the content. He's too established for that. They're with him because he's good and has the traffic for them. If he compromised his stuff the traffic would drop and they'd lose out as well.