Comments on: Racing to the bottom — SEM Seagulls http://www.churbuck.com/wordpress/2006/10/racing-to-the-bottom-sem-seagulls/ Commentary on media, technology, marketing and clamming strategies Sat, 13 Mar 2010 01:08:58 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Content: Quality vs. Clicks « Magnosticism http://www.churbuck.com/wordpress/2006/10/racing-to-the-bottom-sem-seagulls/comment-page-1/#comment-19232 Content: Quality vs. Clicks « Magnosticism Fri, 20 Oct 2006 13:50:15 +0000 http://www.churbuck.com/wordpress/?p=807#comment-19232 [...] Interesting discussion going on here and here about SEM, link farms and the value of quality content. I’m an old-school news guy, so I’ve always argued for top-shelf editorial as a difference-maker for publishing companies. But in a market fueled by page views and unique visitors, it’s tougher to make that case these days. The “content lite” strategies of SEM “seagulls” (as David Churbuck cleverly calls them) is a chilling reminder of the devaluation of original, quality editorial. [...] [...] Interesting discussion going on here and here about SEM, link farms and the value of quality content. I’m an old-school news guy, so I’ve always argued for top-shelf editorial as a difference-maker for publishing companies. But in a market fueled by page views and unique visitors, it’s tougher to make that case these days. The “content lite” strategies of SEM “seagulls” (as David Churbuck cleverly calls them) is a chilling reminder of the devaluation of original, quality editorial. [...]

]]> By: Paul Kerstein http://www.churbuck.com/wordpress/2006/10/racing-to-the-bottom-sem-seagulls/comment-page-1/#comment-19199 Paul Kerstein Fri, 20 Oct 2006 01:57:37 +0000 http://www.churbuck.com/wordpress/?p=807#comment-19199 My sense is that these new "souped-up link farms" are playing on a behaviorial pattern from the first generation of power-web users, who were conditioned to just type in whatever.com when they were looking for something, and they would find it. Everyone I know used to do that all the time, until Google made search more efficient. It's a combination of behavioral psychology, targeted content and working the current SEO algorythmic weaknesses, where computer engines are not able to discern "quality" content and actual reputable brands. As a revenue model, it's a crafty and somewhat applausable way to work the current systems and online atmosphere, no matter how despicable it may seem. As an editorial brand or an ethical way to make money, it's certainly questionable. Then again, making scads of money often crosses the ethics line. I'm certainly interested in seeing how the Internet evolves and balances the new generation of pure revenue models and those who continue to maintain an atmosphere of editorial and participant integrity. This is an issue that those mad-caps in the Gillmor gang are constantly debating. Is it about the user or the corporate strategy? Who will reign? If I had my drothers and ran a Web site, but was also trying to make some schwam, I'd have to agree that it's about the content. But you damn well better have SEO-savvy writers and editors, and an online sales person who "gets" how online revenue works. My sense is that these new “souped-up link farms” are playing on a behaviorial pattern from the first generation of power-web users, who were conditioned to just type in whatever.com when they were looking for something, and they would find it. Everyone I know used to do that all the time, until Google made search more efficient. It’s a combination of behavioral psychology, targeted content and working the current SEO algorythmic weaknesses, where computer engines are not able to discern “quality” content and actual reputable brands.

As a revenue model, it’s a crafty and somewhat applausable way to work the current systems and online atmosphere, no matter how despicable it may seem. As an editorial brand or an ethical way to make money, it’s certainly questionable. Then again, making scads of money often crosses the ethics line.

I’m certainly interested in seeing how the Internet evolves and balances the new generation of pure revenue models and those who continue to maintain an atmosphere of editorial and participant integrity.

This is an issue that those mad-caps in the Gillmor gang are constantly debating. Is it about the user or the corporate strategy? Who will reign?

If I had my drothers and ran a Web site, but was also trying to make some schwam, I’d have to agree that it’s about the content. But you damn well better have SEO-savvy writers and editors, and an online sales person who “gets” how online revenue works.

]]> By: Rob O'Regan http://www.churbuck.com/wordpress/2006/10/racing-to-the-bottom-sem-seagulls/comment-page-1/#comment-19187 Rob O'Regan Thu, 19 Oct 2006 22:38:57 +0000 http://www.churbuck.com/wordpress/?p=807#comment-19187 that is a good post from McAllister. I hate to agree, but quality content isn't enough to pay the bills. I do think the pendulum will swing back at some point, when readers get so overwhelmed with unfiltered junk that they migrate back to trusted sources. that is a good post from McAllister. I hate to agree, but quality content isn’t enough to pay the bills. I do think the pendulum will swing back at some point, when readers get so overwhelmed with unfiltered junk that they migrate back to trusted sources.

]]> By: Cahill http://www.churbuck.com/wordpress/2006/10/racing-to-the-bottom-sem-seagulls/comment-page-1/#comment-19153 Cahill Thu, 19 Oct 2006 15:07:11 +0000 http://www.churbuck.com/wordpress/?p=807#comment-19153 Right - I forgot to get to that point...the other issue I've seen with my kids is that they definitely will try "www.ballet.com" or "www.ilikehorses.com" - and I've got to redirect them to google and be sure that they are 100% supervised when they're searching. They don't click a link unless I read the description and approve it. When I got home from Indianapolis last week, their machine was blue screened. Turns out Mommy thinks supervising them can be done from the backyard while doing garden chores. I have yet to convince her otherwise, so now the machine is simply locked while I'm not sitting next to it. Rob - right on the money - content is king (again) - I tell customers all the time they've got to give people a reason to come back, and the best way to do that is to provide new and compelling content on a regular basis. Not everyone is capable of writing good content at the drop of a hat though... Right – I forgot to get to that point…the other issue I’ve seen with my kids is that they definitely will try “www.ballet.com” or “www.ilikehorses.com” – and I’ve got to redirect them to google and be sure that they are 100% supervised when they’re searching. They don’t click a link unless I read the description and approve it.

When I got home from Indianapolis last week, their machine was blue screened. Turns out Mommy thinks supervising them can be done from the backyard while doing garden chores. I have yet to convince her otherwise, so now the machine is simply locked while I’m not sitting next to it.

Rob – right on the money – content is king (again) – I tell customers all the time they’ve got to give people a reason to come back, and the best way to do that is to provide new and compelling content on a regular basis. Not everyone is capable of writing good content at the drop of a hat though…

]]> By: site admin http://www.churbuck.com/wordpress/2006/10/racing-to-the-bottom-sem-seagulls/comment-page-1/#comment-19152 site admin Thu, 19 Oct 2006 15:04:47 +0000 http://www.churbuck.com/wordpress/?p=807#comment-19152 Rob, exactly, but have you seen quality, original content associated with SEO/SEM plays? McAllister has a good post on excellencein editorial. http://www.mattmcalister.com/blog/2006/10/17/105/the-strategic-role-of-high-quality-editorial/ Rob, exactly, but have you seen quality, original content associated with SEO/SEM plays? McAllister has a good post on excellencein editorial.
http://www.mattmcalister.com/blog/2006/10/17/105/the-strategic-role-of-high-quality-editorial/

]]> By: Rob O'Regan http://www.churbuck.com/wordpress/2006/10/racing-to-the-bottom-sem-seagulls/comment-page-1/#comment-19147 Rob O'Regan Thu, 19 Oct 2006 14:40:45 +0000 http://www.churbuck.com/wordpress/?p=807#comment-19147 It's all about the content. If these accidental portals have relevant, original content, visitors will stick around. If they're just link farms, they're doomed. Content is King, baby! It’s all about the content. If these accidental portals have relevant, original content, visitors will stick around. If they’re just link farms, they’re doomed. Content is King, baby!

]]> By: site admin http://www.churbuck.com/wordpress/2006/10/racing-to-the-bottom-sem-seagulls/comment-page-1/#comment-19146 site admin Thu, 19 Oct 2006 14:28:58 +0000 http://www.churbuck.com/wordpress/?p=807#comment-19146 Mark, These guys aren't playing the "misspell" game, they are basically conducting risk arbitrage on domain purchases, rolling them up into a network, and leveraging "found" traffic into an SEM/SEO play. the misspell swine are in a different league. Mark,
These guys aren’t playing the “misspell” game, they are basically conducting risk arbitrage on domain purchases, rolling them up into a network, and leveraging “found” traffic into an SEM/SEO play.

the misspell swine are in a different league.

]]> By: Vario Creative Blog » Domain Squatters Targetting Children http://www.churbuck.com/wordpress/2006/10/racing-to-the-bottom-sem-seagulls/comment-page-1/#comment-19145 Vario Creative Blog » Domain Squatters Targetting Children Thu, 19 Oct 2006 14:03:57 +0000 http://www.churbuck.com/wordpress/?p=807#comment-19145 [...] David Churbuck had a great post about domain squatters today, which is definitely a must read…he calls it the “bottom of the online marketing barrel.” [...] [...] David Churbuck had a great post about domain squatters today, which is definitely a must read…he calls it the “bottom of the online marketing barrel.” [...]

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