No wonder the SEO (Search Engine Optimization) industry has such as bad reputation. I am amazed that there are still so many SEO snake oil salesman out there spamming small businesses. Let me show you one prime example of some of the junk that people calling themselves “internet marketing specialists” and SEO specialists are spamming (sending unsolicited commercial email). They’re still hurting the Search Engine Optimization Industry.
Let me ask you one question, first. Have you ever heard of a “heated pet”? I have to be honest with you: when I think of “heated pet”, this is what I think of:
Today I got what I thought was one of the more “creative” snake oil SEO spam. Until I started reading it. Apparently my website is NOT ranked on the first page for “heated pet”. WTF is a “heated pet”? Seriously, if you are going to send out spam promoting your SEO services then at least you need to use a keyword phrase that someone would actually want to be found for. Here is the email I got today, targeting one of my websites, www.Hartzer.com (which is a website about ‘lab puppies’ and ‘labrador retrievers’, not ‘heated pet’:
—–Original Message—–
From: Jason Miller [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Friday, August 07, 2009 11:45 AM
To: [email protected]
Subject: I visited your website and had a questionHello, my name is Jason Miller and I am an internet marketing specialist. I was looking at websites under the keyword heated pet and came across your website http://www.hartzer.com. I see that you’re not ranked on the first page of Google for a heated pet search.
I’m not sure if you’re aware of why you’re ranked this low but more importantly how easily correctable this is.
There’s no reason you can’t have a top three ranking for the keyword heated pet based on your site structure and content. You have a very nice site.
You need significantly more one way anchor text backlinks. If you’re interested I can help you with this…
I’m talking about getting you ranked for ALL your keywords. Adding new backlinks on a steady and consistent basis from high PR quality websites is what produces the rankings you are looking for http://www.hartzer.com.
The right kind of links are very critical in getting top ranking….and I can hand deliver these quality links to you.
My partners and I own 1000’s websites and offer private linking to hundreds of website owners just like yourself.
I didn’t send this email out to very many people but I am currently reaching out to a list of your ‘keyword competitors’ as well. But I do favor your website because I can see your website monetizing the targeted website traffic the keyword heated pet can deliver.
I have your contact information and phone number. Is it ok if I give you a call?
I have a very simple way to prove that what I do works and it’s risk free for you to try. Nothing beats seeing the results with your own eyes
Is it ok if I give you a call? I would love to pursue this further over the phone with you or should I go somewhere else?
Sincerely,
Jason Miller
(480) 445-9297
www.linkstiger.comP.S – If the tables were turned and somebody I didn’t know came to me with a proposition, even one that was appealing, I would be hesitant because I would be wondering – what’s the catch? What does this guy know that I don’t.
But then I would think he does know something that I don’t know. He does have thousands of high PR websites, he does have hundreds of thousands of pages indexed and ranking in Google Yahoo and MSN. Sites that can deliver the quality anchor text backlinks. I would also think that I need to get my website in the top rankings. And he is offering to turn key top rankings for me…on all my keywords including heated pet. Even keywords I’m not currently competing for. Keywords that produce traffic that’s potentially worth tens of thousands, hundreds of thousands, millions of dollars. A perfect example of how a spammer like this is hurting the Search Engine Optimization Industry.
I emailed you because It’s a win -win for both of us. Think of it this way – Who wouldn’t be interested in buying money at a discount? Because that’s what I’ll be able to do offer you…Money at a discount.
Is it Ok to give you a call? Or you can can call me anytime at the number above?
This spam email is from “LinksTiger.com”, someone calling himself “Jason Miller”. But, surprisingly enough, the domain owner of Links Tiger doesn’t hide behind private registration:
Whois Record
domain: linkstiger.com
created: 16-Sep-2008
last-changed: 16-Sep-2008
registration-expiration: 16-Sep-2009nserver: ns57.1and1.com 74.208.2.9
nserver: ns58.1and1.com 74.208.3.8status: CLIENT-TRANSFER-PROHIBITED
registrant-firstname: Jason
registrant-lastname: Henderson
registrant-organization: LinksTiger
registrant-street1: 7610 Thomas Rd
registrant-pcode: 85033
registrant-state: AZ
registrant-city: Phoenix
registrant-ccode: US
registrant-phone: +60.28502115
registrant-email:
By the way, you might find it funny that 7610 Thomas Road in Phoenix Arizona is a Carl’s Jr restaurant:
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The only way that the Search Engine Optimization industry is going to start to get our reputation back is if we start educating local businesses about what’s acceptable and what’s not acceptable when promoting a business online. Better yet, try putting an SEO RFP together, there is an SEO Request for Proposal template right here.