For example if you were going to run an extortion service let’s say which at best a stupid idea and at worse criminal then putting the address of your legitimate company would be stupid. However being a smart fellow you might choose to then change it to a holding address for your mail. Unfortunately Google Cache saves the original address and well your pretty much screwed at that point and look just a little silly.

Let’s take an example, who could we pick on…

Verified SEO

Lovely site, offering to sell you a verified SEO status at just $199 a month, no wait $99 they must be having a sale. Now let’s compare two versions of their footers the current one, and this one from Google Cache

The current footer

The old one from cache

look they moved…
I wonder who else is at the old address well according to Merchant Circle a Mr Charles Preston, wonder if he has a site… oh look so he does!

Charles Preston SEO

What a nice chap, apparently according to his site…

His record of success speaks for itself. In the early nineties he taught himself computer programming and website development. Using only books and a burning desire to change his fortune, he became a certified and sought after adept at several website and database development programming technologies.

He invented time travel as well, this man talents show no bounds! It is of cause quite possible Charles Preston has been a very unlucky chap who just happened to work in the same office as the person trying to hide their real details, and if he is well think of the links, oh wait you didn’t get one, doh!

Takeaway hints:

• Don’t upset someone enough to make them come look for you
• Don’t use your business address for your nefarious deeds
• Don’t think because you have whois-guard on mean people won’t find you
• don’t rip people off!

p.s anyone wanting to become a Verified SEO please click here for your shiny new badge!

Stage 1 – the Email Hook

It’s important to real me in and what better way then with an email, let’s look at how this particular site managed it.

Hello,

I am Sam, Business Development Manager. It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance.

We are an online marketing firm with a special focus on Search Engine Optimization. We follow a B2B model where in a lot of digital firms from US, UK, Australia etc outsource there campaigns for us to execute. We customize these services as per the requirement of the end user. After all
“One size doesn’t fit all!”

We would assign a dedicated account manager for your campaigns who would assist through all your campaigns.

Why us:-

More than 6 years of experience
Over a 1000 sites optimized
Dedicated Account Manager
5 People Quality team to ensure high standards
ISO certified (We have well chalked out process and deliver work on time 99.9% times)

Do let me know your views and I would be happy to share our past work details, Methodologies and client Testimonials.

I look forward to your mail.

Kinds Regards,
Sam
Business Development Manager

See at first glance this looks like a regular spam email, but NO these people are pro’s they have found out I’m dyslexic and kindly mixed up certain common dyslexic words to assist me. That or their grasp on the English language is worse then my own which is worrying.

We have well chalked out process and deliver work on time 99.9% times

I really wished Sam had included a picture of the board, but I’m sure its very big and full of pretty diagrams (more on those later) so anyway Sam forgot to include a link to his site an oversight I’m sure….

But don’t worry he included an email address, for those interested its sam@completeinternetmarketing.org (the irony if Sam spams (sorry solicits himself next crawl :p))

Stage 2 – completeinternetmarketing.org The site!

Ok you have to admit its a classy address, not as classy as seoexpert or seoconsulting we reviewed a while ago but it truly makes up for it with the content.

If your spamming best hide it from Google
I mean it doesn’t look dodgy if your SEO site doesn’t rank in Google for anything even it’s own name.

http://www.google.co.uk/search?q=site:completeinternetmarketing.org&hl=en&filter=0

Maybe that could be the disallowing bots via robots.txt file?

Explain the need for SEO with accurate stats

• 80% – 90% of Web Traffic originates from Google, Yahoo and MSN Search Engines. – Yeah go MSN
• 70% – 80% of people using Google, Yahoo or MSN search engines do not search beyond the first page of results when seeking a website responsive to their search query. – Perhaps you should tell them why?
• A position on the first page of Google search results is critical to creating a meaningful number of unique visitors. – Compared to what exactly?
• According to Forester Research and Georgia Tech’s GVU Center User Surveys, more than 80% of web users locate websites by way of a search engine. A) Can’t find said research b) Some people may dispute such claims

Ok so the information is a little out of date but hey so is some of your stuff, I hear you say and yes it is but this is a brand new site. Go check the Google cache for January.

So how we doing so far?
Well they have a website that was badly designed, has no meta description is blocked by robots.txt has some appauling facts, terrible copy and is general bullshit. As well as the usual ethical link building crud which is code for we buy really shit links. Generally not doing to well but wait they have an ace up their sleeve they offer Reselling.

Stage 3 – Offer to resell your service

I can’t possibly explain why you would resell of these people so have resorted to using their own graphic.

Hotlinked without permission guess we shall see how long it takes them to work it our, but is copyright of completeinternetmarketing unless they stole it.
All clear now? well perhaps we should ask them, why employ them?

You get to hire a 150 people team at no fixed cost. You can leverage this to expand your business and billings. Then we provide white labeled full service portfolio which you can brand and resell. This might augment your service offerings to your clients.
We have a long experience in the trade. So have been there (all along) and done that.
We are professional and ethical with account management, reporting and keeping the end customer happy.
The cost of the campaign comes down as we will give you lower cost solutions than your local market.
Our teams are always up to date and we have a dedicated R&D facility. This will help you to keep the client campaigns in sync with the latest in the market.
You get access to some very talented people who are certified in the area of online marketing ( Google, Yahoo)

Strangely they never mention what certificates those are in, lets be generous and assume adwords…

Now in case you are still struggling with hiring them they have a FAQ with 5 questions, oh wait there is only 3 questions ah this explains a lot. They appear to be unable to count!

Summing up – Why you upset Tim?

Ok so why have I picked on this poor company they are no worse then the millions of other indian sales companies? Well two reasons one I was in the mood to pick on someone but also the email I received was one of two the other came from Aashna he doesn’t work for Complete Internet Marketing but rather a much more drab webgcmshoppingnetwork.com a yet to be set up site anyway he sent the exact same email at the exact same time well lets just say that was unfortunate….

Oh for those looking to contact this amazing company I suggest you direct enquires to Garry Silva his Email is garry.dsilva@gmail.com if I was a cruel person I would include a link to a map to his address.

Turns out I am cruel :p

Remember Spamming someone with an ounce of knowledge is going to get you negative publicity….
Play nice.

Late last week I was told of a secret cell of dark Blackhat SEOs operating in the city of Leeds. These cunning and potentially evil blackhats were pretending to be white hat SEOs by day and only at night in their secret lair do they reveal there true nature.

I decided to take it upon myself to investigate this cabal and here is my tale of ranking terror.

My initial investigation told me of an innocent white hat gathering called “Northern SEM” this I was led to believe was nothing more then a front for these fiends praying on young innocent search marketers. I decided I would join this gathering in disguise as a “SEO” and if I could keep my mouth shut I maybe be able to gain the Evil doers trust…

The evening arrived and I stepped into Mr Foleys a pub at the centre of the geek community in Leeds hoping no one would give away my cunning disguise (wearing a math joke t-shirt…) I proceeded to engage in the conversation. It quickly became apparent that the Cabal had its eyes on two SEOMoz Acolytes and as they regurigitated the rights of Rand they were seemingly unaware of the danger they were in! The first Acolyte who went by the name of Sara Godwin (remember not her real name) was being piled with beverages designed to entice her to the dark side along with her rats and with Stew Turnker who arrived late also being not far behind. I realised these two young impressionable people could be the next victims of the blackhats so had to act quickly.

I decided the leader of this group must be the one the large brute was were referring to as “yeshun” and quickly approached her with news I to was a blackhat and ranked for Viagra too…

Quickly I was whisked to their secret lair, relieved I had saved two innocent lives I now feared for my sanity and my rankings what if Matt Cutts found out! There was nothing for it I would have to play along as I underwent a strange induction to their cabal the horrors of which I shall not speak except to say it involved Yoghurt make me say no more. The key I had gained their trust and they revealed their master plan…

World SEO Domination…

I realised I needed proof of what I had seen and so secretly took these exclusive shots of inside the secret lair… Sadly no shots of “Yeshun” came out but I can now reveal the identities of the two other members of this group.

Look carefully for the signs to help you identify Blackhats they are subtle and ones such as the devil eyes can only be seen through the use of a camera… Also note the map indicating the state of their world conquest and how they plan to divide the spoils.

Our talk went into the night but I was growing tired and I fear they may have rumbled me, not even my disguise could protect me any longer….

So dear reader I made a run for it, to bring you this news the Blackhats they are among us!!!

Northern SEM

The above was a work of mostly fiction… Northern SEM however is a monthly meetup for people interested in search and geekery or just beer. If your in the area pop by to Mr Foleys in leeds on the first Friday of every month. Big thanks to Dom, Carolyn and no I won’t upload the other photo on a public blog for your mum to see Heather.

On the 3rd and 4th of October to be precise!

Myself and Dom “The Hodge” Hodgson are planning on inviting you to the first HackNorth, we have managed to convince the guys at AQL to lend us an amazing building for a weekend and we along with a team of volunteers will be on hand supplying food, drink and generally preventing total anarchy. For those unfamiliar with a hack day they are a 24 hour code/design marathon you turn up, team up and build something for the betterment of mankind or to make drinking beer that bit more fun your choice! Prices will be awarded in a range of categories by the judging panel of our “experts”.

Why run HackNorth?

Dom and I have been planning to run a hack event for sometime and while both of us have organised marshalled events (Bar camps, rock concerts, conferences) this will be the first time either of us has taken on a 24 hour event with such a large number of people it will no doubt stress us both out, potentially ruin our friendship all so you guys can have the best time possible. Oh did I mention it’s a free event

HackNorth Registration?

so get yourself over to the site and sign up to the mailing list to be notified of when tickets become available.

You can also follow myself, Dom and HackNorth on twitter should you feel so inclined.

Well now I have the solution I have developed an Age regression therapy, a simple clean method of returning you to the age you should be.

No Chemicals, No Pills, No fuss

For just a few dollars I will show you how you can take 10 no 20 year of your current age don’t believe me here is the proof…

Still not convinced here are just some of the things people have said about this amazing therapy results…

you look the same as you were at school Old School Friend

you look like a 12 year old that has just had his favourite toy confiscated. Al Carlton – Self Made Minds

The secrets of my amazing transformation are yours for just $200 yes $200!

ok so maybe not, this is after all not an april fools though you are welcome to donate as little or as much as you want to the Dyslexia Research Trust via my Just giving page.

For those who have not heard I went through with the chop yesterday, flu ridden I might add (so to the really nice hairdresser both apologises for not talking much and congrats on your award! and sorry for next week when my flu hits you) I just want to thank everyone including Caius, Karyn, Sean, Chris, Gary, Simon, Gaj, Melanie, Scott, Joanna, Al, James, Jack (you need a blog mate ) and to all the people without websites or who provided support and ridicule thank you all on the day £230 was raised but the page is still open if you want to donate.

The final thanks go to the two people who caused it to happen, you know who you are and bah boo sucks to you!

oh and I almost forgot -> The best conference organisers in the world <- yes Hodge thank you to and I can’t wait for the results of Bar Camp Bournemouth for revenge

The donation page is up till september so please feel free to donate now!

Update: Thanks Dave!
Update 2: Dom went and had his head shaved! Not only that but in true web spirit it was a crowdsourced Haircut

The kind soul that is DaveN was kind enough to point to a flaw in my plan, if you are going to put a search for “that bloke in a white coat” be bright enough to actually make sure you rank for it and not well Dave still we live and learn.

The standard of talks has been fantastic so far, from Chainsaw wielding usability guys through to Patrick, and Dave. Tom from Distilled did one of the best jobs in explaining the basics of reputation management in a long time even if he did perhaps assume we all have a google engineer on speed dial.

I will start getting links together for both my stuff and links to everyone else probably tomorrow while waiting for Al Carlton to recover from his hangover!

I also worry conference organisers, I can turn up and just give a slightly boring and complex presentation with questions and answer sessions, these are normally popular but over run as I tend to want to engage and answer questions mid presentation.

The alternate is I go the whole way total mad presenter, Think Visibility is on Saturday (there is still time to sponsor and get a ticket) guess which way I’m going?

Dom – erm probably not

Tim – I shall bring my own should I shall assume they won’t have a safety guard either?

Dom – urgh um (why?)

Tim – it’s a visual demonstration of a successful linkbait campaign on link juice some food colouring, caustic soda, magnsium filings and a small amount of water

Dom – ….and you were on first? so you were gonna cover my floor in colouring
and audience?

Tim – not the floor thats what I wanted the sheet for! Fear not I will be wearing a white coat and safety goggles no health and safety issues at all.

Dom – …this must be what a heart attack feels like

So Saturday Leeds 9am Old Broadcasting House the risk of death has been decreased substantially the chance of you having a fantastic day with some of the great speakers and guests is still just as high, if your in Leeds Friday/Saturday night come find us as we sombrely discuss SEO and affiliate marketing.

Her Majesties Privacy document

The British Monarchy web site, with the exception of the subscription system, does not store or capture personal information, but merely logs the user’s IP address, which is automatically recognised by the web server.

We do not use cookies for collecting user information, and will not collect any information about you except that required for system administration of our web server.

http://www.royal.gov.uk/Contactus/Aboutthissite.aspx

While the above is technically true it is let down by


< script src='../TemplateAssets/GoogleAnalytics1.js' language='javascript' type='text/javascript'>< /script>


Queens SEO

Patrick from blogstorm who also was wandering through the Queens source code noticed the amusing use of meta tags.

< meta name="keyword" content="Queen" />

The single keyword per tag is down to the ASP content management system they are using, actually it seems to do several odd things but at least no SQL errors (unlike the assumed developers site)

Talking of which I did think the web development company (I assume that’s the connection) leaving in their URL was a nice touch

< html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xmlns:Abseil="http://www.coraider.co.uk">


Staying on the SEO front, no h1 or 2 tags, and the h3 tags are nicely keyword rich with headings such as “Quick Links” and “Latest Videos” at least most images had an alt tag though no title tags on either images or links.

Royal duplicate content – yes I’m sure you are not surprised that the site itself is an indexed mess, most articles have at least 3 versions (ignoring the welsh and Gaelic language versions) with no order or priority in terms of indexing so some articles the text only version is showing, others the full content. The URL structure is also confused with some pages appearing as

www.royal.gov.uk/output/Page5140.asp

while others are:

www.royal.gov.uk/OutPut/Page6369.asp

Camel casing on a non unix server is not a disaster but if you have a url structure stick with one, but fear not because the new site has done away with these and now use categorised urls…

Only they are not indexed and the old ones, you guessed it 404s

Anything else? I really only spent a few minutes, to be fair the site is no where near as bad as most government websites but still a total fail. When making high profile launches your site will be picked at but sometimes it pays to actually check for the little things.

Update: Even the telegraph is having a dig six points for Search engine optimisation for the queen let’s hope Queen Elizabeth trusted website team corrects some of their faults.

One final thing and its not SEO or privacy based, why when I look at the site do I think it looks like an old Nuke site?

Caught on the 27th December when viewing a feedburner feed in Google Reader that appeared in the “Top Recommendations” boxes

Legal bit – yes I know Google hasn’t spread the malware, the feedburner feed probably contained an image which in turn was on a domain which was on a shared host using the IP 220.196.59.23 which in turned had some malware on one or more domains on the host but still it was Google that said google.co.uk would harm my computer not me!

Update: My friend David Harry (who has just done one of the most comprehensive Information retrieval posts ever) sent me some more amusing additional slippups including:

• http://google.com/safebrowsing/diagnostic?site=google.com
• http://google.com/safebrowsing/diagnostic?site=news.com.au
• http://google.com/safebrowsing/diagnostic?site=ebay.com

For a few more checkout How to check if a site is serving malware or um not as the case maybe.

Warning I used a custom font so slideshare has done it’s best to convert but hasn’t quite managed it

Other Notes

Do not Spam, keeping track of categories and tags is pretty important, people actually spend their lives recategorising misplaced stumbles.

Related posts are not always the best idea for the bottom of the page, this is a general tip that real estate at the bottom of the post between the post and comments is a great location to focus their attention on your best posts. To often related posts do not provide any meaningful results.

What would Seth do plugin is interesting if used with referral data (or indeed something like Waynes’ socialize me) to provide a means to give stumblers a call to action. However avoid linking directly to the review page, if they want to leave a review or thumb up they can use the toolbar and this will be more useful in the long run.

Stats are ambiguous at best, with StumbleUpon precaching pages, JavaScript stats being unreliable at times any way your stats will be haywire. Also like most social media your bounce rate will not make much sense. If you have an analytics package that will segment stats from a source you will see just how much confusion Stumble causes.

Thumb up content you like, seems obvious but if you like content thumb it up, if you don’t like it think carefully about thumbing it down. Of course if it’s rubbish then thumb down.

Never use the sendto… or have buttons linking directly to reviews, get them to vote via tool bar.

Try not to stumble your own site or someone else’s site continuously you are not doing yourself any favours, likewise if the same person constantly stumbles your site first every time it maybe worth asking them not to. Very politely.

How do I know if my content is good for StumbleUpon you can always test it via a sponsored stumble , these are adverts that are shown to non Pro Member stumblers they can be thumbed up or down as normal but the effect of these thumbing up and down are not felt till after the ads number of stumbles has come to the end. The nice thing about sponsored stumbles is you get pretty good figures as to how many stumblers liked dislike your content. While normally in stats you want a lot of data even 100 visit sample is enough to get an idea of how well the content will do. For the pro blogger who is really aiming at linkbait you can try changing on page conditions using the Google web optimizer to create multivate test though for accurate results you will need more then 100 visits. Also it would take some clever coding to associate the thumb up as your goal but it is possible.

Negative Stumbles, afraid it does happen we discussed some of the dubious tactics to upset a competitors stumble site.

If you are interested I have some articles on Does Social Begging Work?, Second chance for Stumblers, Stumble graveyard and StumbleUpon Maths some of these posts are old but still valuable I think. Don’t forget my profile is tnash.stumbleupon.com but really I want people to join StumbleUpon and have fun, its not a tool its just an addiction…