Google Search Result Sponsored Ads

keyser666

Seems they have put a little icon next to it now saying it is an ad. Must have been recent as like probably most I use google daily. Must have had some pressure to do that? They have fobbed it off for years.

Wonder how many people still purchase a passport, driving licence, medical card application via them......... even now

Altarf

keyser666 wrote: »

Wonder how many people still purchase a passport, driving licence, medical card application via them......... even now

Lots, probably even more than before, because by marking them as adverts Google have given them their seal of approval.

After all, Google wouldn't allow a bunch of evil scammers to advertise with them just for the money, would they...

Truepat

Altarf wrote: »

After all, Google wouldn't allow a bunch of evil scammers to advertise with them just for the money, would they...

I do not think it is a case of "allow" but more a case of not knowing unless someone reports it. Even if reported they can take it down but any 2-bit operator will be up and running again within a few minutes.

pmduk

The users must take some responsibility for looking after their own affairs.

wealdroam

pmduk wrote: »

The users must take some responsibility for looking after their own affairs.

Indeed they should, and I think I may have mentioned it before, but if more people used Adblock Plus then these adverts would not be seen.

It's free and banishes ads from many many places across the internet, including youtube to name but one.

Altarf

Truepat wrote: »

I do not think it is a case of "allow" but more a case of not knowing unless someone reports it.

So it really is beyond the wit of the world's largest technology company to have in place any sort of automated process that could filter out the keywords that the scammers want to use to throw up their advert.

And because a solution does not exist, they just happen to make lots of money. How lucky for them.

pmduk wrote: »

The users must take some responsibility for looking after their own affairs.

They do. They trust Google not to allow evil scammers to advertise.

gb12345

Altarf wrote: »

They do. They trust Google not to allow evil scammers to advertise.

You seem confused about the meaning of the word "scammer" - the companies concerned are not scamming anyone, they are providing a value added service that people can chose whether to use or not.

The fact that no one in their right mind would actully use the service provide doesn't make it a scam.

Truepat

Altarf wrote: »

So it really is beyond the wit of the world's largest technology company to have in place any sort of automated process that could filter out the keywords that the scammers want to use to throw up their advert.

So which keywords do scammers use that legitimate businesses do not use? That only filters out obvious scams. Get real!

Secondly, as this board is a shining example of, people scream "scam" just because they do not like how they have been treated or whencompanies try to hold them to the T&C they agreed to - many are not scams.

Money-Saving-King

Altarf wrote: »

So it really is beyond the wit of the world's largest technology company to have in place any sort of automated process that could filter out the keywords that the scammers want to use to throw up their advert.

They do have a process.

http://www.leftygbalogh.com/2011/banned-keywords-good-google-true

http://www.leftygbalogh.com/2011/banned-keywords-google-adwords

https://support.google.com/adwordspolicy/answer/1704381?hl=en&ref_topic=1308266

And why the know-it-all sarcasm in your post? You actually seem to know very little about how they operate.

Altarf

gb12345 wrote: »

You seem confused about the meaning of the word "scammer" - the companies concerned are not scamming anyone, they are providing a value added service that people can chose whether to use or not.

The fact that no one in their right mind would actully use the service provide doesn't make it a scam.

A "value added service", but one which "no one in their right mind would actully (sic) use"?

So I presume that they make it absolutely clear on their websites that they have no affiliation with the website that the user actually wanted, and set out in clear terms what their "value added service" actually is.

I think that it is you that is confused.

Truepat wrote: »

So which keywords do scammers use that legitimate businesses do not use? That only filters out obvious scams. Get real!

Umm, let me see -

DVLA - Yes lots of people need to advertise that word
E111 - Even more people need to advertise that
Passport renewal - Again lots.

Isn't it a bit obvious to Google when the number 1 'real' hit is a govenment website, and yet people want to advertise that word.

Truepat wrote: »

Secondly, as this board is a shining example of, people scream "scam" just because they do not like how they have been treated or whencompanies try to hold them to the T&C they agreed to - many are not scams.

Because these websites serve no purpose at all, other than to take money from people that they don't need to pay.

Money-Saving-King wrote: »

And why the know-it-all sarcasm in your post? You actually seem to know very little about how they operate.

As someone who has used Google Adwords for honest purposes, I know precisely how they work, and how they can be misused.

gb12345

Altarf wrote: »

A "value added service", but one which "no one in their right mind would actully (sic) use"?

I'm so sorry that my dodgy A key caused you offence, but at least you were able to feel superior for a few seconds.

Altarf wrote: »

So I presume that they make it absolutely clear on their websites that they have no affiliation with the website that the user actually wanted, and set out in clear terms what their "value added service" actually is.

Why not go and do a bit of research to answer your questions. Google is your friend .

Altarf wrote: »

I think that it is you that is confused.

Nope, I'm not confused, I know that these websites are legal (they make sure they are). If they weren't legal then I'm sure that the Government agencies that they provide value added services for would have made sure they were closed down.