DISQUS

Chris · 2 years ago

Thanks Andy, and I love your lesson at the end.

It only seems like a couple of short months ago that JC's blog was a fun place to learn some tips and have an enjoyable read.

Now it's less about how to make money, than how to make John Chow money-a shame, but an inevitable result of success? I hope not.

I know I've joined Bumpzee, but I must make more of it. Not enough hours in the day. Talking of which, I have to do the ironing and then get the kids from school. Glamorous eh?

Chris · 2 years ago

Thanks Andy, and I love your lesson at the end.

It only seems like a couple of short months ago that JC's blog was a fun place to learn some tips and have an enjoyable read.

Now it's less about how to make money, than how to make John Chow money-a shame, but an inevitable result of success? I hope not.

I know I've joined Bumpzee, but I must make more of it. Not enough hours in the day. Talking of which, I have to do the ironing and then get the kids from school. Glamorous eh?

thepaperbull · 2 years ago

Thanks for the mention Andy.
I'm pleased that you were able to tie in my article with others who shared a similar viewpoint.

thepaperbull · 2 years ago

Thanks for the mention Andy.
I'm pleased that you were able to tie in my article with others who shared a similar viewpoint.

K-IntheHouse · 2 years ago

Nice round up of all the discussions. I have heard about Bumpzee but I think I am going give it a try and you will soon see me in your community. :-)

Chris sold me on the plugin and I haven't turned back.

K-IntheHouse · 2 years ago

Nice round up of all the discussions. I have heard about Bumpzee but I think I am going give it a try and you will soon see me in your community. :-)

Chris sold me on the plugin and I haven't turned back.

Mark Barrera · 2 years ago

I love your promotion of the Dofollow campaign. I am also glad to be a member of the Bumpzee group. Thanks for helping me get my nofollow issue sorted out on my blog also!

Mark Barrera · 2 years ago

I love your promotion of the Dofollow campaign. I am also glad to be a member of the Bumpzee group. Thanks for helping me get my nofollow issue sorted out on my blog also!

WebStractions · 2 years ago

Thanks for the mention Andy.

My worries were technically induced, rather than the "shame of it all" type of thinking. I truly believe that if Google has not caught wind of this, they will soon enough. Matt Cutts was perfectly clear on his feelings about paid links, and those would constitute a paid link.

If other bloggers gain inspiration from this type of campaign and adopt it as their own, then I fear they will someday regret it. And even if that does happen, Mr. Khan will still come out smelling like thorny rose ... for he really does not need Google for traffic.

And I nominate you for the quote of the week:

"I would worry about how the quality of readership is deteriorating as his readership supposedly increases, though I am sure his readership will appreciate the male enhancement text ads."

WebStractions · 2 years ago

Thanks for the mention Andy.

My worries were technically induced, rather than the "shame of it all" type of thinking. I truly believe that if Google has not caught wind of this, they will soon enough. Matt Cutts was perfectly clear on his feelings about paid links, and those would constitute a paid link.

If other bloggers gain inspiration from this type of campaign and adopt it as their own, then I fear they will someday regret it. And even if that does happen, Mr. Khan will still come out smelling like thorny rose ... for he really does not need Google for traffic.

And I nominate you for the quote of the week:

"I would worry about how the quality of readership is deteriorating as his readership supposedly increases, though I am sure his readership will appreciate the male enhancement text ads."

Derek Wong · 2 years ago

Hey Andy thanks for your thoughts. I was actually thinking similar things as John was writing that blog post. I know that he's very successful and all in the blogging world, but I have found that it is fairly distasteful when he so eagerly penny pinches with his readers. I have not gone so far as to take him off of my feed reader although I'm thinking that it might happen sometime because I don't even read a lot of the entries that he writes about anymore.

In any case, I really appreciated how welcoming you were when I joined the Bumpzee DoFollow community, and I have been enjoying your posts ever since. I've most appreciated your honest and insightful opinions. Thanks!

Derek Wong · 2 years ago

Hey Andy thanks for your thoughts. I was actually thinking similar things as John was writing that blog post. I know that he's very successful and all in the blogging world, but I have found that it is fairly distasteful when he so eagerly penny pinches with his readers. I have not gone so far as to take him off of my feed reader although I'm thinking that it might happen sometime because I don't even read a lot of the entries that he writes about anymore.

In any case, I really appreciated how welcoming you were when I joined the Bumpzee DoFollow community, and I have been enjoying your posts ever since. I've most appreciated your honest and insightful opinions. Thanks!

Franck Silvestre · 2 years ago

Hi Andy,

A really nice post. I like the way you take strong position. Are you a "samurai blogger"?

Franck Silvestre · 2 years ago

Hi Andy,

A really nice post. I like the way you take strong position. Are you a "samurai blogger"?

Cornwall SEO · 2 years ago

I've taken the plunge and being inspired by Andy and Robb Watts am going commando.

No more Pink Links!

Where do I get my Tshirt?

AndyBeard · 2 years ago

Don't tempt me about creating a Cafe Press site using the logos ;)
In fact don't tempt anyone else.

The good news is there are a whole load of relevant SEO blogs where you can write comments to compensate.

Actually you might need to change your sig to just "cornwall", as Cornwall SEO you already own the whole first page of results.

Cornwall SEO · 2 years ago

I've taken the plunge and being inspired by Andy and Robb Watts am going commando.

No more Pink Links!

Where do I get my Tshirt?

AndyBeard · 2 years ago

Don't tempt me about creating a Cafe Press site using the logos ;)
In fact don't tempt anyone else.

The good news is there are a whole load of relevant SEO blogs where you can write comments to compensate.

Actually you might need to change your sig to just "cornwall", as Cornwall SEO you already own the whole first page of results.

Cornwall · 2 years ago

Good point, although I had though about changing it to "cheap diet pills"

I could do with a nice hoodie, how about a contest? C'mon Andy I know you want to. hehe

Cornwall · 2 years ago

Good point, although I had though about changing it to "cheap diet pills"

I could do with a nice hoodie, how about a contest? C'mon Andy I know you want to. hehe

Graphic Design Edinburgh · 2 years ago

I've followed those articles you quote from with interest.

Everyone makes mistakes. Few moreso than me. That's the best way to learn however so perhaps we'll see a change of heart?

AndyBeard · 2 years ago

I think there is a difference between "change of heart" and "change of spin"
John Chow has laid his own bed, and now he has to sleep in it.

Graphic Design Edinburgh · 2 years ago

I've followed those articles you quote from with interest.

Everyone makes mistakes. Few moreso than me. That's the best way to learn however so perhaps we'll see a change of heart?

AndyBeard · 2 years ago

I think there is a difference between "change of heart" and "change of spin"
John Chow has laid his own bed, and now he has to sleep in it.

Leo Dimilo · 2 years ago

I posted a small blurb about this as well. I don't follow John Chow and am equally disgusted at his gall for doing such a thing. Then again, he doesn't really mince words about what he is truly about and that is making money. I can't understand how he has such a strong readership. I guess that there are a lot of folks that want or wish to be like him.

Leo Dimilo · 2 years ago

I posted a small blurb about this as well. I don't follow John Chow and am equally disgusted at his gall for doing such a thing. Then again, he doesn't really mince words about what he is truly about and that is making money. I can't understand how he has such a strong readership. I guess that there are a lot of folks that want or wish to be like him.

Deb · 2 years ago

I just added 5 of my blogs to the community. Thx for the information.

Deb · 2 years ago

I just added 5 of my blogs to the community. Thx for the information.

Dawud Miracle · 2 years ago

First thing, thanks Andy for all your help and support and for bringing nofollow to my attention. I hope that I've helped promote it in some way.

Now, on to John Chow...I think his tactics are disgusting as well. Doesn't he realize that soon his 'reign' will end. Doesn't he know that the very community that has made him known is turning against him because of his dirty tactics? I guess he's just interested in flaming out. I don't know. But I know it's not going to last much longer.

Paying for links is beyond beyond rediculous. But if you make your bed, you will sleep in it eventually.

Dawud Miracle · 2 years ago

First thing, thanks Andy for all your help and support and for bringing nofollow to my attention. I hope that I've helped promote it in some way.

Now, on to John Chow...I think his tactics are disgusting as well. Doesn't he realize that soon his 'reign' will end. Doesn't he know that the very community that has made him known is turning against him because of his dirty tactics? I guess he's just interested in flaming out. I don't know. But I know it's not going to last much longer.

Paying for links is beyond beyond rediculous. But if you make your bed, you will sleep in it eventually.

Rob O. · 2 years ago

I think we're going to see a form of karma kicking in swiftly with regard to John Chow's "evil" pay-to-follow scheme. If your blog caters to and encourages ego-driven, self-centered, and opportunistic readers, who'll you have to blame when the members won't peer up from their own navels long enough to sustain the community you've labored to build & promote?

I prefer to subscribe to, encourage, and revel in the cooperative & supportive spirit of the blogosphere that folks like all of you encourage. That's real community.

Rob O. · 2 years ago

I think we're going to see a form of karma kicking in swiftly with regard to John Chow's "evil" pay-to-follow scheme. If your blog caters to and encourages ego-driven, self-centered, and opportunistic readers, who'll you have to blame when the members won't peer up from their own navels long enough to sustain the community you've labored to build & promote?

I prefer to subscribe to, encourage, and revel in the cooperative & supportive spirit of the blogosphere that folks like all of you encourage. That's real community.

Anush · 2 years ago

I think DoFollow is an excellent policy, but I wonder if all this following really shares productive traffic. How many of the DoFollow community members are SEO geeks or graphic designers? It seems to me that this movement will succeed only if you get varied communities on board, but DoFollow seems hard to sell to those that aren't as PageRank-savvy. Also, I wonder how many of the DoFollow members get a significant amount of traffic.

Anush · 2 years ago

I think DoFollow is an excellent policy, but I wonder if all this following really shares productive traffic. How many of the DoFollow community members are SEO geeks or graphic designers? It seems to me that this movement will succeed only if you get varied communities on board, but DoFollow seems hard to sell to those that aren't as PageRank-savvy. Also, I wonder how many of the DoFollow members get a significant amount of traffic.

David Airey :: Creative Design · 2 years ago

Anush,

For me it's less about Page Rank and more about rewarding the people who spend their time leaving a comment on your blog / website.

The movement is already succeeding because link love is being shared and communities are growing through the effort of people like Andy, and that's what it's all about.

David Airey :: Creative Design · 2 years ago

Anush,

For me it's less about Page Rank and more about rewarding the people who spend their time leaving a comment on your blog / website.

The movement is already succeeding because link love is being shared and communities are growing through the effort of people like Andy, and that's what it's all about.

Business Blogger · 2 years ago

I agree that John's tactics are a little tacky. His advertising is far from relevant: male enhancement.

Keep up the good work on your promotion of dofollow!

Business Blogger · 2 years ago

I agree that John's tactics are a little tacky. His advertising is far from relevant: male enhancement.

Keep up the good work on your promotion of dofollow!

Cheap Web Hosting Phil · 2 years ago

Selling subscriptions to turn of nofollow is as low as it gets. With Google's new policy on paid linking that may come back to haunt him anyway.

Cheap Web Hosting Phil · 2 years ago

Selling subscriptions to turn of nofollow is as low as it gets. With Google's new policy on paid linking that may come back to haunt him anyway.

Lorna · 2 years ago

I've never really followed John Chow's blog or any of his activities, but after knowing about paid nofollow in his comments, I'm interested to see what will happen to his site. I'm sure he's very confident in the fact that his blog is valuable enough that he's resorted to charging people for it.

BTW, thanks for doing a brief review on the various nofollow plugins that are out there, very useful and timely for me.

Lorna · 2 years ago

I've never really followed John Chow's blog or any of his activities, but after knowing about paid nofollow in his comments, I'm interested to see what will happen to his site. I'm sure he's very confident in the fact that his blog is valuable enough that he's resorted to charging people for it.

BTW, thanks for doing a brief review on the various nofollow plugins that are out there, very useful and timely for me.

Shea · 2 years ago

Hasn't Google seriously penalized John Chow? I think they've buried his site several pages deep. I don't follow his blog either, but he's certainly attracted the attention of others. It makes me curious enough to look.

Shea · 2 years ago

Hasn't Google seriously penalized John Chow? I think they've buried his site several pages deep. I don't follow his blog either, but he's certainly attracted the attention of others. It makes me curious enough to look.

Alex Choo · 2 years ago

Andy,

I seriously inspired by the folks who advocate no nofollow in comments.

In fact, I've started a new movement to ensure that paid reviews are clearly disclosed as such.

http://www.thisisapaidreview.com contains the 'manisfesto' :)

AndyBeard · 2 years ago

Alex that isn't a unique concept, PPP came out with disclosurepolicy.org a long time ago.

Sure it is a different graphic, but the PPP guys also helped bloggers with the wording of their disclosure policy.

PPP also have special badges that appear using javascript on paid reviews.

In some ways I disagree with PPP on this because their badges don't appear in the content, and a disclosure policy link is suggested for use in the sidebar, not in the content.

I advocate full disclosure in the content, using words, and also wrote both a Wordpress plugin and Feedburner Feedflare to help accomplish this.

Alex Choo · 2 years ago

Andy,

I seriously inspired by the folks who advocate no nofollow in comments.

In fact, I've started a new movement to ensure that paid reviews are clearly disclosed as such.

http://www.thisisapaidreview.com contains the 'manisfesto' :)

AndyBeard · 2 years ago

Alex that isn't a unique concept, PPP came out with disclosurepolicy.org a long time ago.

Sure it is a different graphic, but the PPP guys also helped bloggers with the wording of their disclosure policy.

PPP also have special badges that appear using javascript on paid reviews.

In some ways I disagree with PPP on this because their badges don't appear in the content, and a disclosure policy link is suggested for use in the sidebar, not in the content.

I advocate full disclosure in the content, using words, and also wrote both a Wordpress plugin and Feedburner Feedflare to help accomplish this.

CGlines · 2 years ago

Nice read. I personally hate the fact that just about every site you visit nowadays, whether it be a blog or otherwise is whoring itself out to the paid linking scheme.

I also thought your quick lesson subsection was pretty damn funny.

CGlines · 2 years ago

Nice read. I personally hate the fact that just about every site you visit nowadays, whether it be a blog or otherwise is whoring itself out to the paid linking scheme.

I also thought your quick lesson subsection was pretty damn funny.

bLuefRogX · 2 years ago

Its a nice concept, but it also leads to increased ’spam’ with comments like ‘Good Job’ or ‘Nice blog’ that are not actually relevant to the post, but are just there because the poster saw a ‘DoFollow’ badge on the blog and wanted a backlink.

I suppose you could call this a double edged sword, it’d definitely get your more comments, but also increase your moderation work.

bLuefRogX · 2 years ago

Its a nice concept, but it also leads to increased ’spam’ with comments like ‘Good Job’ or ‘Nice blog’ that are not actually relevant to the post, but are just there because the poster saw a ‘DoFollow’ badge on the blog and wanted a backlink.

I suppose you could call this a double edged sword, it’d definitely get your more comments, but also increase your moderation work.

bluefrogx · 2 years ago

Sorry for double posting, but I've just enabled do-follow on my blog :D Your evangelism has paid off...

bluefrogx · 2 years ago

Sorry for double posting, but I've just enabled do-follow on my blog :D Your evangelism has paid off...

Paul Archer · 1 year ago

I know this post is pretty old dude, so I hope you don't mind I comment on it?

I think your in a catch 22 situation here, but I think
you'll get more good then you will bad out of it. Even though yes, you would have to moderate allot of the bull, your still well off.

By they way, I like what your doing - Keep up the good work!

Paul

Paul Archer · 1 year ago

I know this post is pretty old dude, so I hope you don't mind I comment on it?

I think your in a catch 22 situation here, but I think
you'll get more good then you will bad out of it. Even though yes, you would have to moderate allot of the bull, your still well off.

By they way, I like what your doing - Keep up the good work!

Paul