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John C. Dvorak Slams SEO – says it’s not a valid business

January 5, 2010

We had to have a good laugh at John C. Dvorak’s expense due to his recent article on SEO on PC magazine (yea we’re no following the link there).

Because what you just said is that all SEO consultants are spammers. Actually what you just said is all magazine editors are paid to post positive stuff about companies. It’s morally compatible to what you are stating.

You also stated that our industry is filled with one person consultants, based on that, my firm Yooter InterActive should have just myself there.. and not a dozen Americans that are currently working here.

You also stated that we only work for small time firms, though most of our clients are fortune 500 firms.

I have serious problems with your article, to the point where I am questioning the rest of your articles, if they are as well researched as what you have posted on that article. Then I am highly concerned about the quality and content of what you write.

What makes this even worse is that over the past 5 years, you have linked to one of my personal articles at least a dozen times on various blogs. So I am hoping this is a one off, but common John, you called me a freaking spammer… even though we as a company advise our clients on how to confirm to Google Guidelines.

Written by TheFounder · Filed Under Advertising Agency News 


Comments

  • edw3rd
    so rather than say what you're not, argue for what you are.

    seo is hardly different than telemarketing, direct mail, e-mail, and other forms of low-cost direct response which have been used and abused from inception by spammers, bots and low life organisms not intending to provide honest value. I really don't see how you expect to fall outside that realm.
  • Guest
    As a long time SEO, I can assure you that it is very different than telemarketing. Just because there are crooked cops doesn't mean all cops are crooked.
  • edw3rd
    Sorry but try to catch the point: if the vast majority of cops people meet are crooked, then the reputation of all cops is that they are crooked.

    Volume spend by spammers drives it higher as much as advertiser targeting makes it narrower. Someone has to fill that inventory and scammers do it.

    Dvorak's story was that the "business" of SEO tips and tricks isn't driving value for him, just as those of us searching claim the output we see is low. That doesn't say you all don't drive value for your clients, or that your clients are at the bottom of the food chain, just that the practice is, well, untoward for consumers.

    Deal with it: Facebook ads, Twitter posts, Google search results - consumers aren't being inundated with Ford or Disney or HP ads - they're being chased by Viagra distributors, credit score submission subscriptions and data sites that are happy for even the slightest positive ROI.
  • TheFounder
    Edw3rd,

    John called me a spammer, because of course I fill Lehigh University's website with Viagra distributors and then I turn around and make sure to litter AOL's TMZ, Popeater, and Asylum.com's website with more Viagra links. Then when I am done with that.. I go on to make sure that Zagat's website has a bunch of garbage up there...

    The point I am trying to make is that the issue at hand is this guys interpretation of SEO... SEO is Social Media now... a position where we can theoretically lead advertising campaigns (and we do) over traditional agencies.

    In other words many SEO firms are taking the creative lead.

    Perhaps many in advertising don't like this fact... but ask Pepsi what they think.. as they are shopping their RFP out.

    https://www.tribbleagency.com/?p=6502
  • edw3rd
    LOL - I didn't think there was anyone left in advertising... and, yup, we're all waiting for Pepsi ads on the web, with a click-to-pour button...
  • TheFounder
    Most likely the click to pour button would give you a tracking coupon so Pepsi can measure the ROI.
  • Amy
    I'm not getting your outrage. Were you singled out? I think, as a whole, the industry is littered with palm readers, tea readers, fortune tellers, and the like. A lot of "hocus pocus". (Go out, meet some of your competitors -- not all are on the up-and-up.) Sure, there might be some really good psychics, but for the most part -- it's a way to part a fool and his money. It's filled with people promising they can do whatever -- make rain, and the reality is, a lot of it just ends up gunking up and messing up search engines.
    Explain, in less than 100 words what you do, how you do it, and why you use that methodology.....clear us up. Don't get all huffy and have a hissy fit. Please?
  • TheFounder
    100 words or less? How about 10 words.

    "I help companies comply with Google Guidelines and rank better"

    How's that? 100% ROI for 10% of the budget you gave me ... sort of like how SEO compares to traditional advertising.
  • Amy
    p.s.
    magazine editors are NOT paid to post positive stuff about companies.....they're told to, but most don't listen!
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