CyberQuest Disavows Porn Blogs
 

A series of blogs used in a cross-linking strategy to boost the Google page ranking of three porn sites run by adult site operator CyberQuest was the unauthorized creation of an affiliate, the company said Wednesday.

CyberQuest owner Fade Saab told Wired News that he had, until Wednesday, been unaware of the blogging strategy. He also said that the effort -- in which dozens of cross-linked Blogspot blogs were set up to directly promote three CyberQuest porn sites -- was in fact the brainchild of a Vancouver, British Columbia, affiliate partner.

Saab said he has demanded that the affiliate immediately remove any links to the CyberQuest porn sites, as well as any images from those sites. He also said CyberQuest will likely attempt to reclaim any profits the affiliate gained from the use of the blogging strategy.

"I wouldn't allow it," Saab said. "This kind of thing isn't helpful to our business. It makes us look bad."

To some observers, the strategy came across as a sleazy attempt to market the CyberQuest porn sites. On the other hand, those observers noted that they appreciated that the strategy was a clever mix of technology and marketing.

To Saab, however, the CyberQuest affiliate put his company's reputation on the line.

"We try to run a clean business," Saab said, "even though we're not in the cleanest of businesses."

Meanwhile, Google, which owns Blogger, the tool that runs Blogspot, has also taken action and is disabling as many of the blogs created by the CyberQuest affiliate as it can find.

"The blogs ... were taken down because they violated Blogger's terms of service," said Google spokeswoman Eileen Rodriguez.

Those terms of service say that Blogspot members must agree not to post content that, among other things, is "obscene." And Google also maintains in the terms of service that it has the right to shut down a member's account at any time and for any reason.

don't believe everything you read, Fade posted on his own board what really happened

Whats his board called?

For the record, here are some corrections:

Wired: He also said CyberQuest will likely attempt to reclaim any profits the affiliate gained from the use of the blogging strategy

Fact: I told the reporter after I investigate the matter further and speak with the affiliate, we might consider witholding funds if the webmaster shows no cooperation or was in serious violation of our terms and conditions. I have spoken to the affiliate and a full payment has been issued for all his earnings.

Wired: I wouldn't allow it," Saab said. "This kind of thing isn't helpful to our business. It makes us look bad.

Fact: I told the reporter I was not too familiar with blogs and I would not allow if it was overdone or was being done illegally, easily accessible to minors, violating our terms and conditions, ect and since Blogs were fairly new I needed to look into them more before we updated our terms and conditions. I also told him that we would not allow methods of marketing that would make us look bad, blogs or not.

Wired: Those terms of service say that Blogspot members must agree not to post content that, among other things, is "obscene." And Google also maintains in the terms of service that it has the right to shut down a member's account at any time and for any reason

Fact: According to the reporter, many people are using blogs to promote adult sites but not on such a widespread basis and alot more 'low key'. The bottom line is that this affiliate simply went overboard with his usage of blogs and was shut down BY GOOGLE/BLOGSPOT because of that.

I don't really feel right about cross posting . . . you can hit me on ICQ 16 07 54 97 and I will give it to you if you want - or look at ^his^ sig, and it shall lead you ;)

hmmm, but then what is obscene?

lol..that's the question being debated in the courts as well..

my first marriage

thinkreel is the board.

The wired writer wasn't exactly objective

ah never mind, I see fade corrected the writings in here already

Now did Google say the content was obscene or was that the opinion of the Wired writer peeking through? Maybe the affiliate blogger violated the TOS by spamming.

" Google declined to comment for this story. "

"Meanwhile, Google, which owns Blogger, the tool that runs Blogspot, has also taken action and is disabling as many of the blogs created by the CyberQuest affiliate as it can find. "

"The blogs ... were taken down because they violated Blogger's terms of service," said Google spokeswoman Eileen Rodriguez.

"Those terms of service say that Blogspot members must agree not to post content that, among other things, is "obscene." And Google also maintains in the terms of service that it has the right to shut down a member's account at any time and for any reason."

yeah but the sentence: "The blogs ... were taken down because they violated Blogger's terms of service," said Google spokeswoman Eileen Rodriguez. is an edited quote from that woman. the paragraph below it is the writer's determination of what was the broken term.

not saying that's not it. but the violation could have easily been this:

"The Service makes use of the Internet to send and receive certain messages; therefore, Member's conduct is subject to Internet regulations, policies and procedures. Member will not use the Service for chain letters, junk mail, spamming or any use of distribution lists to any person who has not given specific permission to be included in such a process."

blogger TOS

Yeah it could be anything really..they can shut you down for whatever reason I guess. I wouldn't be surprised is they're trying to appear squeaky clean with their pending IPO coming soon..

that's why they make those damned terms so vague. :glugglug

Referrer spamming... NICE!

But isn't there a rumor that Google will stop using Referrer Ranking?

Exactly..what's considered 'obscene' is so open to interpretation and it's worded that way for a reason..