BMW Germany and Scattered Thoughts

The Times has an interesting article on what can happen when SEO goes too far. Although BMW.de has been exonerated, the story has caught on like wildfire. The problem was that BMW (or whoever was working on their search engine rankings) had crowded a 'doorway page' with the German equivalent of "used cars" - "gebrauchtwagen", I'm told.

Now 'doorway pages' are a lazy way of increasing rankings in the first place, and many agencies have used them simply as an extra service to charge for. But it's interesting that Google has taken umbrage at this being done by such a large brand.

At least BMW are trying, albeit by unethical means. Too many Irish sites these days just aren't appearing for what the terms that they should. It's pretty simple to get started - some good page Titles, text on your homepage, and go looking for links from suppliers, partners, customers, etc. There are too many Irish sites who seem to be living in a pre-Internet world where search engines is an encyclopaedia of locomotives. Or something.

According to ENN, Ireland has yet again been slated for its low take-up on broadband, while Ireland's broadband companies have been slated for their poor customer service. All this slating could roof the country, no? Then we could forget about the weather, focus on the real issues.

Which is, why are broadband companies so slow in getting back to you? I won't name the company I dealt with (they'd be a good client, and in any case probably have a bigger legal warchestt than we do), but it took about 4 months for them to respond to an email I sent. When will companies? It's certainly taken ****** (name omitted) enough time! Oh wait, I still haven't received an email from them and it's been...ooh...7 years?

Now on to football. The big event of the weekend. We are playing Sunderland. Away. Now, whatever your feelings on the McCarthy - Roy Keane spat, poor old Mick's got it tough oop north. They're pretty much relegated, and his job could be on the line. Meanwhile old Keano's just got his first goal in a Celtic shirt, and Celtic are ten points ahead. Now Spurs' grip on reality away from home is tenuous to put it mildly, but I think we're a good bet for tomorrow. What do you think, Robbie?

Comments

[Karl]

Don't agree with your view on doorway pages, they've worked well for us. But you do have to be careful with the search engines and them!

[Shamie]

How'd you get on at the Liverpool game? Like the new blog, by the wya. s

[Joseph K]

When we gonna see the famous email marketing article? ;)

[JP]

Saw the ENN article re BMW, you got the lead on them there. Hope you're not doing that with any clients!

[Jools]

Hey, this was mentioned in the ENN digest, good anticipation! BTW, hard luck with the Sunderland game, but Spurs were very poor!