How do we get an OFT enquiry into Google??

[wevet]

Google now has such a stranglehold on online search that it is time that the OFT started an investigation into their practices.

I have a number of issues with Goolge the most recent is "low search volume"

I have around 500 search terms which are geographic area specific i.e.
"car transporter hire Brighton" this term averaged around 4 clicks a month and genrally had a good conversion rate.

Now this and all my other similar geographic exact match terms have been suspended because of "low search volume".

It is quite apparent that Google is steadily narrowing down the number of search terms they will allow to be used in adwords so that there will be increased bidding on the more active keywords.

Interestingly, even though terms these have been suspended for low search volume the amount I was billed for these terms £0.23 per click well above the minimum 0.04. So, it is also abundantly clear that Google are charguing whatever THEY wish and the idea of bidding for keywords has completely gone.

Anyone else experienced this?

Anyone else agree that Google should be held to account for abusing their monopoly position?

 

[An Oasis]

Interestingly, even though terms these have been suspended for low search volume the amount I was billed for these terms £0.23 per click well above the minimum 0.04. So, it is also abundantly clear that Google are charguing whatever THEY wish and the idea of bidding for keywords has completely gone.

Google would tell the OFT go take a jump. Hit the long tail it's a piece of cake.

 

[quarterdon]

Everyone who has had search results reduces and tried to take any action against google has failed.

 

[wevet]

Everyone who has had search results reduces and tried to take any action against google has failed.

The received wisdom was that Microsoft was untouchable until they were forced to capitullte in the face of huge EU commission fines.

 

[wevet]

Google would tell the OFT go take a jump. Hit the long tail it's a piece of cake.

issed my point.

It is the long tail terms which are getting only 2-4 clicks a month that Google are suspending. This forced you to go for the common terms which are expensive.

The terms which have suspended are the ones which have produced the highest conversion rates.

 

[quarterdon]

A company unfairly stopping competitors is not the same things as you getting bad search results.

 

[An Oasis]

issed my point.

It is the long tail terms which are getting only 2-4 clicks a month that Google are suspending. This forced you to go for the common terms which are expensive.

I didn't miss your point at all. You just don't understand the advice I gave you. Long tail SEO is a piece of cake, a baby could do it, so why don't you?

 

[An Oasis]

Oh and whilst you are looking for advice your site has this message when a visitor visits.

"Reported Attack Site!

This web site at www.re-leased.com has been reported as an attack site and has been blocked based on your security preferences.

Attack sites try to install programs that steal private information, use your computer to attack others, or damage your system."

Some attack sites intentionally distribute harmful software, but many are compromised without the knowledge or permission of their owners."

Maybe Google really hates you?

 

[wevet]

A company unfairly stopping competitors is not the same things as you getting bad search results.

You are wholly missing the point of a monopoly:
Google has a achieved a near monopoly position and is now restricting its clients to a narrower range of keywords. This has the effect of significantly inflating the cost of advertising.

In my business I hire out car transporters

I am trying to target people wishing to hire a car transporter in Sussex
Google are happy for me to pay for clicks on the generic term "Car transporter" and I get visitors to whom I am totally irrelevant from all over the UK

However: I am trying to contact people who will use terms related to their home area and the area in which I can offer geographic coverage. However, Google will not allow me any option other than use the wasteful for me but cash generating for them generic term.

As I have said: the terms which have now been suspended have been working for months.

Will we now find that "Accountants in Maidstone" cannot use trhat term but are forced to use the very expensive generic word "accountants"?

Using the laughable Google Keyword tool when I enter "car transporter Hire" the next suggestion is "car Hire" which has no relevanmce to me at all.

What is happening is not that I am getting "bad search results" is that Google are forcing me to spend money on generic terms and preventing me and no doubt othe businesses from using precisely targetted keywords. The ironic thing is that Google makes such a great play, falsely, that advertisers can precisely target their campaigns.

 

[OldWelshGuy]

Are you running these local terms locally? or are you running them nationally? Do you have them grouped into local geographic campaigns?

there are many reasons why they might have done what they have done, and it could be (please don't take offfence), that your campaigns are simply not set up to make best use of the algorithm. .

MANY people have tried to sue google for this and failed, the reason being that the courts agree that Google do not have to make details of their algorithms public.

Here is the thing you don't have any right to advertise on Google, and getting the results you are getting doesn't mean that Google are doing anything wrong. For sure you have YOUR theory on why they do it, but that doesn't make it so

As I said, there are a million and one reasons why your phrases might be getting nailed, and normally it is down to poor overall campaign planning and structure.

 

The received wisdom was that Microsoft was untouchable until they were forced to capitullte in the face of huge EU commission fines.

I think you will find microsoft have paid zero to date,probably be years of legal wranggling before it gets resolved.

The legal eagles must be having a field day.

Earl

 

[360interactive]

The legal eagles must be having a field day.

Earl

Absolutely, almost a job for life!

 

[crossdaz]

Anyone else agree that Google should be held to account for abusing their monopoly position?

I was going to ask if you have any of these phrases you are bidding on but seeing as your site has been hacked it is difficult to say?

You are responsible for your own site - better get it fixed before someone sues you?

 

[Billmccallum]

Google don't have a monopoly, they have a big share in the market, but you choose where to spend your advertising budget and have the option of choosing other suppliers.

The fact that you have used Google means that you recognised the quality of the service, now that that service has changed means you have to re-evaluate your position.

 

[estwig]

It's because your doing it wrong, go for the big keywords 'car transport' or whatever. Then set your geo location to 10, 15, 20 (your choice) mile radius of whatever postcode you choose.

Google is not out to get you! You simply have to understand the rules of the game.

 

[chloe_wong]

I had the same experience as you, Google's monopoly was soooooooo hateful.

 

[OldWelshGuy]

It's because your doing it wrong, go for the big keywords 'car transport' or whatever. Then set your geo location to 10, 15, 20 (your choice) mile radius of whatever postcode you choose.

Google is not out to get you! You simply have to understand the rules of the game.

I tried to say that but people hear what they want to hear.

" it isn't instant and easy so Google are evil"

 

[estwig]

" it isn't instant and easy so Google are evil"

Your right, the other one I reckon occurs a lot is....................

My website hasn't made me a millionaire yet, it can't possibly be my fault, so it must be Googles!!

 

[directmarketingadvice]

I tried to say that but people hear what they want to hear.

You know what he should do? He should geo...

Wevet, the problems you're describing aren't things that are should be happening or that should prevent your ads from showing.

The problem with your site could be the reason your ads aren't showing. If Google realises a site has been hacked, they'll stop showing ads that go to that site.

Steve