SEO Tricks: Google Buys BeatThatQuote, a UK Comparison Site Violating Google's Guidelines

[SEO Manager]

Google Buys BeatThatQuote, a UK Comparison Site Violating Google's Guidelines
 

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<p>BeatThatQuote.com today was sold to Google for GBP37.7 million. We think this deal is a tremendous opportunity for our company to develop new and innovative options for personal finance in the UK. Our team is excited about becoming a part of Google. We look forward to working with their engineers to create new tools making it easier for consumers to choose the right financial products. We think</p>

<p>What is screwed up about this is that Google is engaging in *major* channel conflict. Not only is there You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login:</p>

<p>BeatThatQuote.com's ad prompted 101 complaints to the Advertising Standards Authority, with 65 objecting that the commercial "trivialised, condoned or encouraged bullying in the workplace".</p>

<p>But now they have to consider SEO as well. I highlighted how it was a bit unjust You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login just because the founder was good at public relations, but how can Google police Google's guidelines when Google is the one breaking them?</p>
<h2>Doorway Pages / Gateway Sites</h2>
<p>Remember how You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login for offering discounts in exchange for links? BeatThatQuote partnered with Oxfam to create You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login. The homepage consists of a bunch of links into You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login. If you look at those links using our You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login you will see some 301 redirects. Of course doorway pages are considered spam &amp; we know that Google has torched some other affiliate programs for using 301 redirects.</p>
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<p>Such links You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login</p>
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<p>Sure that is fairly vanilla...a bit gray area. Certainly not straight up black hat. </p>
<p>....unlike...</p>
<h2>Buying Links That Pass PageRank</h2>
<p>Raise your hand if you have read a post by Matt Cutts on the dangers of buying links that flow PageRank?</p>
<p>Ok. Now keep your hand up You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login. </p>
<p>Remember how Matt Cutts stated that You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login? Remember the long NYT article about how Google is cracking down on link buying &amp; You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login?</p>
<p>With that in mind, can anyone explain why Google's newest purchase buying links like</p>
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<p>Not so much a categorized listing with an editorial review...just a paid link for the sake of buying links to flow PageRank.</p>
<p>That one is only totally flagrant. </p>
<p>A bit off color. Like comment spamming.</p>
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<p>Sorta like the link exchanges in German.</p>
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<p>But some are even more outrageous. Consider that BeatThatQuote is buying links from pages with ad sections like</p>
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<h2>Paid Blog Reviews</h2>
<p>Remember those "evil" paid reviews Matt Cutts wrote of? Plenty of those to go around </p>
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<p>In fact, some of the paid blog links were in place so long that BeatThatQuote got thank you's for advertising for over a year straight.</p>
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<p>I don't have a decade of spam fighting experience like Google does. But is it too much to suggest that before Google buys *any* website they should do a basic compliance audit to verify that the site is operating within Google's TOS. I am an independent SEO and it took me all of 2 minutes to find numerous FLAGRANT violations. </p>
<p>What sort of message does Google send the market with the above behavior?</p>
<h2>How Can Google Police Anyone?</h2>
<p>Google has on multiple occasions penalized other UK based finance sites for SEO issues &amp; link buying. But now that Google owns one of the horses in the race, and that horse has been found to be using anabolic steroids, can they legitimately penalize any of their new competitors?</p>
<p>If I had a UK finance site I would go on a link buying binge right now. Google can't penalize you for it because they are doing the same damn thing. And if they do penalize it for DOING THE EXACT SAME THING GOOGLE IS DOING then you know you have a legitimate gripe for the media, and I have no doubt Microsoft would be willing to help pick up the legal tab. </p>
<h2>Google Eats Microsoft's Lunch Again!</h2>
<p>Ultimately this is a body blow to Microsoft. Microsoft started to gain momentum in search through verticalization, You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login. Meanwhile Google took Microsoft's ball and ran it in for a touchdown (acquiring MetaWebs, trying to buy ITA Software, and buying BeatThatQuote). And now one of MSN's portal ad partners is owned by Google:</p>

<p>Head of partnerships at MSN, Phil Coxon said, “At Microsoft Advertising, we’re passionate about collaborating with brands to create compelling advertising campaigns. By providing new and exclusive content that appeals to consumers, this partnership both enhances the overall MSN user experience as well as providing a great platform for BeatThatQuote to engage with their target audience on a meaningful level. This deal builds on our previous partnership with BeatThatQuote, which led to a 400% increase in revenue generated from insurance products. We’re delighted to continue to build on this relationship with this new campaign.”</p>

<p>Oooops. </p>
<h3>Update</h3>
<p>After a Googler read this blog post, it appears that You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login.</p>
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