Comments on: TopSEOs: Kill The Hypocrisy, It’s Time To Take a Stand

By: The TopSEOs Scam / SEO and Quantum Theory | Barry Adams

The TopSEOs Scam / SEO and Quantum Theory | Barry Adams — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 16:47:53 +0000

[...] of Search: TopSEOs: Kill The Hypocrisy, It’s Time To Take a Stand Advertising itself as an ‘an independent authority on search vendors’, the marketing material [...]

By: Alan Bleiweiss

Alan Bleiweiss — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 01:04:38 +0000

I haven’t written about them in a year, yet three of my expose’ articles still show up in good placement for “TOPseos Complaints”. And if you Google Jeev Trika, the face behind the scheme, my article on him is in the top five results. Here’s another thing we can do. Whenever I’ve seen a company displaying their “award”, when I’ve been inclined to take the time, I’ve contacted the company and every one of them to date has ended up removing the bogus award from their site. Even BCI removed it after I spoke with Bruce Clay and did a follow-up article on his perspective.

And of course, our concerted industry effort, combined with my multi-article approach, and speaking directly with Jeev, did get them to clean up some of their most egregious tactics and issue a formal apology release.

Ultimately they continue on because they make a lot of money. And they’re not just in the SEO industry – they’ve been found running the same scheme in the legal industry.

At the end of it all, I’d love to see Third Door, Incisive and WMW dissociate with them, yet it would take a heck of a lot more outcry than even we achieved last year at the peak of the outcry.

By: Jose Uzcategui

Jose Uzcategui — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 19:34:28 +0000

“Now, with that out of the way, cue the rage.” – Awesome start

Great point of giving them the credentials and credibility by allowing them to have them present at industry events.

If I’m not mistaken, they’re pretty clear that you need to fork out a bunch of money to be considered for rankings. So I’m not sure if this would qualify as regular scam… It seems they’ve been exposed but people keep giving them money.

Having said that, I see very reputable companies, including a past employer that I know is very trustworthy and (during my time there) wouldn’t have paid…. hm.

By: Rich

Rich — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 15:22:03 +0000

It’s interesting to see how TopSeo’s influence outside parties like CEO’s & CFO’s who don’t really understand the web. I have had a few conversations with C-level execs where they search online for an SEO firm and then a PR is picked up that says “SEO FIRM Y” is highly recommended and a Top Firm per TopSeo and they get influenced in a decision to contact them.

I certainly agree that TopSeo’s are a scam and we should take a stand on this as it makes the industry look bad. What about exhibitors such as Text Link Ads? Or Link Worth? Do they get a free pass from exhibiting as the Search Events?

By: Alan Charnock

Alan Charnock — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 10:36:37 +0000

Cheers Rob, just added it to my site.

By: Andrew Goodman

Andrew Goodman — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 02:32:28 +0000

Sorry, but can’t stay out of that last point.

Angie’s List is for the consumer market. They’d be particularly badly placed to handle the minefield of rating and reviewing business services in complex, technical fields. Bad idea.

By: TopSEOS Search Rankings Questioned; Google Search Plus Your World « State Of Search - Online Radio - WebmasterRadio.FM

Tue, 17 Jan 2012 22:09:57 +0000

[...] TopSEOs is taken to task by State of Search blogger Barry Adams in a story entitled TopSEOs: Kill The Hypocrisy, Its Time To Take a Stand. [...]

By: Rob Weatherhead

Rob Weatherhead — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 14:46:34 +0000

I see this one has come back around again!

I dont think we will ever ‘win’ against companies like this whilst there are businesses out there willing to line their pockets. It is wrong that companies such as this are able to run such a service but even worse is the fact small businesses will be convinced to part with their hard earned cash safe in the knowledge they are working with the ‘#1 SEO Company’.

All we can hope is enough people out them and enough companies pull their advertising that they are forced out of the market. The same happened to Verified SEO (see here: http://www.robweatherhead.co.uk/search-engine-optimisation/verified-seo-scam/) but it is easier said than done.

For those wishing to make a stand you could also use my handy badge created back when the verified SEO debate was on going (http://www.robweatherhead.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/topseos1.gif)

By: Greg Flewelling

Greg Flewelling — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 14:27:47 +0000

Thanks for raising the Top SEOs issue. I hope this post helps more than a few people avoid the company.

I would have included, if not highlighted, Webmaster Radio, the podcast partner of State of Search. WMR may be the worst offender, with Top SEOs’ ads running on SEO 101, a show targeted to small business owners and marketing people learning about SEO. Even the State of Search radio show runs Top SEOs ads. What’s an inexperienced listener supposed to think when respected professionals advertise Top SEOs?

In the USA we could try convincing Angie’s List to add an SEO or advertising services category.

By: Barry Adams

Barry Adams — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 12:58:32 +0000

I’m glad that press release is the top article on The Drum – anyone glancing at the comments will be made aware of the drivel that it is. And no, neither ToPSEOs nor the SEO company in question have ‘won’ this round, Andy – the industry has won by making this a more widely known and supported issue. Small steps, but we’ll get there in the end. I remain hopeful.