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Hey, Look At Me! I’m Ethical! (There, I Said It)
June 20, 2006
I’m becoming a fan of David Spade’s new show on the Comedy Channel called The Show Biz Show. My favorite segment is right after the news and is called “There, I Said It�.
So, here’s to you, little guy Mr. Spade as I tip my cap and say:
I’m getting a little irritated with SEOs calling themselves an "Ethical SEO Company". In fact, it may even be un-ethical calling yourself ethical.First of all, who runs around saying, “Hey, look at me. I’m ethical.�? Really, have you ever in your lifetime ever heard someone arrogantly say, “I’m ethical�. And isn’t it most often when someone is un-ethical that it gets pointed out?
As for what SEOs do and how it relates to the definition of “ethics�, there are no accepted principles of right and wrong that govern the conduct of SEOs. In other words: It’s not a matter of ethics.
Perhaps some SEOs allow their sales staff to tout their company as an “Ethical SEO� simply because it sounds so honest, pure and safe. It really does, doesn't it? ..... [pause for momentary reflection] ..... After all, who would want to hire an un-ethical SEO company? This is just silly. I’ve seen hundreds of SEO RFPs and never once have I seen one with the must-have requirement: Ethical.
Are white hat SEOs ethical companies? Maybe. Are black hat SEOs unethical? Maybe. If an SEO claims to have a black box proprietary technology or techniques that mimic Google’s algorithm, are they ethical or unethical?
The bottom line is that all SEOs have methodologies and techniques that they recommend to their clients. Some of these techniques may be controversial and others may not be controversial. They are one or the other and the industry has done a pretty good job of making it clear which are which.
Ethically speaking, SEO techniques are neither right nor wrong so please, let's keep ethics out of it.
There, I said it.
All posts by Doug Ausbury
posted by Doug Ausbury at June 20, 2006 1:00 AM
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Comments
Nice post, Doug.
I am an ethical SEO. I don't say it with arrogance, nor do I feel I am a "goody-two-shoes" for saying it. Personally, I do not choose to exploit the search engines as a means of running my business.
I have a list of SEO firms who claim they are ethical, yet their clients come to us often because their sites have been banned or penalized. Guess what? These same firms also make the claims that they are the "biggest" SEO firm or have some sort of award.
I understand marketing hype. Awards, testimonials, etc. are a part of the marketing mix. As is lying, unfortunately. I have some pretty good-looking doorway pages, hallway pages, and envelope pages created by these supposed "ethical" SEO firms.
I will respectfully disagree with Doug's stance. Too many SEOs exploit the search engines. Once you delve into exploitation, that makes you unethical in my book. I have had an extremely difficult time this past year dealing with colleagues, professors, and other info retrieval professionals in the academic/research arena. If I tell them I'm an SEO, they seem to assume I'm an "unethical" SEO. It has become embarrassing for me to admit I'm an SEO because "black-hat" techniques are so rampant.
Nonetheless, I stick to what I believe works and prefer the label "ethical" SEO. I can and do make that judgment call, whether other SEO firms like it or not. I've heard more colorful names used to describe me. :-)
Other people might not agree with my opinion. That's fine. Everyone is entitled to his/her opinion.
Posted by: Shari Thurow at June 20, 2006 4:50 PM
One ethical way to get traffic is to be nominated for an award. Congratulations on your nomination for MarketingSherpa Reader's Choice Blog & Podcasting Awards 2006.
Ron
Posted by: Buzzoodle Ron at June 20, 2006 11:26 PM
Good post, thanks
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