Funny Video – Sums up the web industry!
Mar 11
General Business Practices, Web Design, Web Industry No Comments
Extortion Two-Point-Woe
Mar 08
General Business Practices, Web & Legal Web & Legal, Yelp No Comments
Over the past two weeks, Yelp has been hit with several class action lawsuits, alleging that it has engaged in False Business Practices. After a review of the complaint, the Crux of the allegations are that Yelp solicited large sums of money from its users in exchange for removing, or otherwise hiding, negative reviews. These alleged kickbacks, dubbed “advertising fees”, spur Yelp employees to make those negative reviews less noticeable. More importantly, the suit alleges that upon a refusal to pay “advertising fees”, negative reviews are made more visible, thereby injuring the online presence of the business.
Taken as true, it would seem as if Yelp is playing the part of the Internet version of the Cost Nostra, soliciting protection money from its customers. Those who refuse to pay risk getting a digital brick through their online store’s window. While taking no side one way or the other without a healthy dose of the facts, I believe that this is potentially a matter of major concern for the Internet viewing public. However, the bigger concern comes from the selective censoring of negative reviews. Currently, millions of people visit sites like Yelp to hear what their fellow citizens think of local businesses offering food, goods, and services. If those businesses can put a muzzle on any comment that they don’t agree with then, really, what is the point? Impartiality has gone out the window, and the site’s visitors might as well forego the process all together…and if sites like Yelp don’t like what I have to say, then I’d be happy to move it to somewhere less noticeable, for a small advertising fee.
Vying for Google’s Love
Mar 05
General Business Practices Google, Topeka Google No Comments
Who doesn’t like to be loved? Truth is, everyone loves to be loved. It’s such a great feeling, right? Whether it’s impressing someone to get a job or showing off to capture the attention of your “crush”, people go to great lengths for love. My mother always told me “don’t change who you are and pretend to be somebody you’re not”. How far should one go for attracting someone’s attention?
Well, not as far as the Mayor of Topeka, Kansas. Recently, Google announced that it will build incredibly fast fiber optic Internet networks in certain areas of the country. To capture Google’s attention, the Mayor elected (with no argument from the city council) to temporarily rename Topeka, Kansas to Google, Kansas. Call me crazy but this it outright ridiculous. Topeka, Kansas is a large American city. It’s a state capital. To change the name to capture Google’s love and attention in hopes to be selected for Google’s broadband effort is outrageous.
In today’s world, no love is stronger than the love from Google, Inc. My fiance may dislike that bold statement but being in the web industry, we’re constantly seeking love from Google to get our client’s websites ranked higher in nature search. That being said, you should never change who you are for someone’s love. It’s not worth it; be the person (or city) that you are and be proud of it. You’re either liked for who you are and what you bring to the table, or you’re not. If not, it’s just not meant to be — continue looking for that better suited friend, partner, employer, etc.
For the full story, Google (verb) [Topeka Google (noun)].
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