Technology, business and change
Doing crap vs Changing the world
I’ve been thinking about this for over a week now and it really obsesses me. Do you sometimes have the feeling your online journey won’t bring anything good to this world? I am not talking about blogging or running a website for a purpose or to give tips and tricks on a specific subject, I’m talking about building websites or blogs on a subject you have absolutely no clue about just to get money through AdSense or whatever affiliate program?
Crapternet (aka Internet filled with crap)
Both my parents went through health issues this year (no worries, it’s all fine now) and one thing you do (at least most people) when having health problems is a Google search. You know, when you build websites just for money, you don’t really think about the end user and what kind of information you are going to put out there: you just pray for a good CPC. But when I learned my parents were using Google to find more information, I immediately felt bad because they didn’t know a 15 years old kid could write health articles and get a decent ranking on Google. Honestly, the more I think about it, the more it pisses me off. Most people don’t realize that by building a website or a blog you can have a direct impact on people’s life. This is particularly true in health or finance niches and unfortunately there are too many people in that business just for the money.
Imagine you have cancer. It is not a very nice thought to have, but that’s the only way to really understand the impact we have as bloggers, internet marketers or whatever you like to call yourself. You will Google about your specific cancer and find some information, but who actually published that information? Is it a 15 year old kid? Is it a doctor? Is it reliable? Was it built just for the money? Is there a full time SEO person working to get that website on top of Google? Imagine the information you just found says that most people die of the type of cancer you have…I think it’s freakin’ important to know if the person who wrote that is a 15 year old crapternet marketer or a doctor. Unfortunately, there are good chances it’s a person like you and me.
Google keyword tool and the crapternet
Most Internet Marketers only think about finding good keywords in Google keyword tool and don’t care about the end user. “Oh, look! ‘Breast cancer’ average CPC is 20$, let’s start a breast cancer blog”. Yeah, let’s pretend you know what you’re talking about. That keyword tool is responsible for a lot and I mean a lot of crappy content in all niches on the web and it’s really sad.
30 years of crapternet domination?
I think about my career all the time and one of the thing that obsesses me (and you know there’s a lot) is “Will I be able to do this for the rest of my life”? I also think about when I will meet new friends in my life and tell them what I do for a living. Something that is important for me and that I hope is important for you as well is to be proud of what I do everyday. I love blogging and Internet Marketing and I wouldn’t have any problems with saying that’s what I do for a living, but Internet Marketing is very vague.
“Oh Internet Marketing sounds good, what kind of website do you promote?”
“Well, I build about a hundred websites every year about whatever hot subject and suck money out of it.”
“Oh, I see, so you must be a guru in a lot of fields!?”
“No, I usually don’t have a clue what I’m talking about: people just end on my websites because I’m on the first page of Google”
Could you?
I’m guilty
Yes I already built crappy websites just for quick cash and AdSense. We are all (mostly) guilty of the quick cash trap, but it always takes an important event in your life to realize the impact you might have on other people’s life.
I’m just sayin’
I’m not saying to anyone to stop their online business, I’m just saying it’s important to think about the impact you might have. You can build a weight loss blog, a cancer blog, a debt relief blog or whatever, but do you bring anything to this world?
Bring back ethic
Unfortunately there is not much ethics left in this Internet Marketing world. Everyone wants a share of the pie no matter what it involves. I say bring back ethic and try to actually do something that will help people around you.
With a long term vision you might win. So, what do you guys think?
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You made me think of it dude. I am about to launch a health blog — splendidnurse.com.. I am not guilty because so far I haven’t published any article yet in the internet that might turn people to risk. Don’t worry, I won’t publish any article that is not proven by professionals (MD).
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you made a very good point bro. Most of bloggers today just want to earn some valuable clicks. I hate it when bloggers tend to act as experts. It sounds pathetic. If this goes on, there will be time that users will no longer turn to internet more likely to blogs for information and that’s the end of our career.
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Ben
What a noble thinking! Did you join the blog action day? I know I missed it but I’ll be damn sure to participate next year. It must have a nice feeling to be able to make a little impact on the society.
Now back to your wonderful thought of the day, though it’s easier said than done, it takes one blogger to lead the way and encourage his/her readers to do the same and I applaud you for doing so. In this regard, you have given me yet another sense of purpose.
Hope everything is well with your family
Yan
Blog for Beginnerss last blog post..Ask My Readers #1
Good post – always important to stop and think about your actions and the consequences of them. the anonymity of the internet allows us to get away with things we wouldn’t do face to face so it becomes more important for us to keep our ethical boundaries firmly in place and not just chase $$$ signs everywhere.
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@Hussein: Good mate, I’m glad I made you think about it! Doesn’t splendidnurse.com sound like a porn site? Just kidding!
@willbill: Yep exactly, there is a concept of “trust” from the end user behind this. If they no longer trust the information that is out there, we my friend have a problem! Thanks for that comment!
@Yan: Thanks mate, I appreciate. Unfortunately I didn’t join the blog action day because I found out about it a little too late. So same as you here, I’m planning to participate next year! Everything is well with my family, thanks!
@Underdoblogger: So true, I didn’t raise the anonymity point but you’re right. I wouldn’t talk shit in front of people, but it’s so easy to do on the Internet…And get paid!!!
“Unfortunately there is not much ethics left in this Internet Marketing world.”
I don’t think that there were ever any ethics to begin with. The minute money was involved, people suddenly lost track of a word called ethics…
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@Ben – LOL it’s not a porn site. HAHA. If you want I’ll make it a porn site. Anyway, you made me also nervous. I am afraid to give wrong infos in splendidnurse
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@Rajaie: You are probably right my friend, easy money is an ethic killer!
@Hussein: hahaha…At least you’ll think twice before posting stuff hehe
Very well thought out, and nothing could be truer.
@Hussein – this should only make your new site that much better
Interesting how well this goes with my latest post, no? lol
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hey!.. you always come up with a unique post. I like the way your thought process works.
This post honestly highlights the scope of the recent blogger – who’s posts are limited to google keywords and getting their adsense work! .. the motive behind blogging has changed, But thanks to you for reminding it once again.
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To play devil’s advocate I will say that is it is not my problem, it is Googles. If I write a document that is full of garbage and Google put’s it atop their list then they made a mistake. Google has engineers being paid hundreds of thousands of dollars a year to provide algorithms that search out and highlight factual quality content. If I make a buck then good for me. Maybe it will force search engines to work harder.
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@Dennis: Thanks and yes I was shocked when I read your last post! hehe
@Rituraj: Thanks a lot, I appreciate your comment!
@Adam: That’s my main concern. Lack of end user in the loop, only money + google. Also, is robbing a bank a good thing as long as you don’t get caught? After all, police should work harder… You see where I’m going.
It is always important to stop and thinking about your actions and the consequences of them. The anonymity of the internet allows us to get away with things we wouldn’t do face to face so it becomes more important for us to keep our ethical boundaries firmly in place and not just chase “the money” signs everywhere.
@Ben
You can’t compare the two they are apples and oranges.. It isn’t against Google’s or anybody’s Terms of Service to create crap websites and you can’t be punished for it while it is against the law to rob a bank.
Adams last blog post..5 Things You Should Do / Not Do.
I know Adam but to put this thing straight: I think it’s important to think about the end user in the loop.
It is up to the user to determine what information is quality information. I mean if you were writing a book report would you take information from a magazine you found in an rack at the grocery store or would you go to an encyclopedia to quote your source.
My wife is an 8th grade teacher and they don’t let students cite references to websites that aren’t approved because we all know the internet is full of opinion and a lot of what you find has no factual backing.
So it comes down to the user being intelligent and using proper research methods to determine what is factual and what isn’t. I can write my opinion all over the net and if somebody takes it as fact that is their choice and not mischievous behavior on my part.
Adams last blog post..5 Things You Should Do / Not Do.
Intrenet Marketers have made tons of money selling crap to newbies. Right from crappy ebooks to crappy internet services and websites. There was no Ethics in this business.
I wish I had made an ebook called ” How to make money online in 3 simple steps” 10 years ago
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@Suzie: Yep, that anonymity thing is very weird on the web and lets you do stuff you normally wouldn’t do.
@Adam: I think we’re having different point of views on that one. I agree with the fact users have to be intelligent enough to determine what’s factual and what’s not, but the average user is searching about something because he doesn’t have a single clue about that subject. determining what is factual when you don’t know a subject can be hard. You know, that’s maybe the way I am, but I like to think about the end user when I’m building something. Anyway…!
@ZK: haha yep! In 10 years people are going to say “I wish I had made X 10 years ago”…Find that and do it now!
I have been quilty too for building and adsense site or two but what can you do.
The internet is money driven thats for sure.
I think if you just use what knowledge you have to produce quailtty stuff then there shouldn’t be a problem
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@Bruno: Of course and you hit it with “knowledge”! There’s nothing wrong with making money with your knowledge…as long as you have it!
@Ben,
But if 8th graders are taught that the internet isn’t always a trustworthy source for information then the general public should understand the same thing.
I will never assume the fault for somebody elses lack of effort.
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My opinion is that money making can kill passion very fast. As most bloggers probably I do have dreams about cash falling out of monitor some day… But I have set very strict rules for myself – to manage my blog in a way that I am fine with and knowledgeable about.
My life is computers, that’s what I can blog about best. Life is not something you swap for money.
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Good stuff Rarst, I am cutting on the crap right now and focusing on what I do best even if that involves losing some of the money I’m making.
You definitely have the right attitude and because you know your stuff you are a reliable source in your niche
Yes there is heaps of it everywhere now days. It makes me think how my new blog is regarded, crap or practical content. I hope it is the practical, but it’s hard to get a traffic or comments to barely 2 weeks old website, which is mine case unfortunately however I am trying only to make happy the end users or I wouldn’t be too happy.
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Hi Ben,
Great post! I will be including this post in my Saturday Rap this weekend. It really is something people need to consider more when building a website.
Also, I found you on Yan’s blog and recently did an interview with him. The link is in the commentluv below.
I submitted the article to Blog Engage. I was wondering if you and your readers could help vote it up there. I am sure Yan would appreciate it!
Thanks,
Jeremy
Jeremy Days last blog post..Interview with Yan: Author of Thou Shall Blog
Oh, I forgot the link for Blog Engage. It is:
http://www.blogengage.com/out.php?title=interview-with-yan-author-of-thou-shall-blog
Jeremy Days last blog post..Interview with Yan: Author of Thou Shall Blog
This is the EXACT reason for the Google slap heard ’round the world…and I’m not referring to paid links and PR.
I’m referring to when Google killed THOUSANDS of “nothing but crap” adsense sites all at once, and just as many “marketers” lost 3/4 or more of their income literally overnight.
BRAVO! Real marketers screamed. It is quite possible to make “money sites” without filling the net will more pure garbage.
Perhaps we should all read my latest post one more time
Dennis Edells last blog post..Is Your Online Reputation Solid? I hope so, It’s All You Have.
@Convert: Building traffic and reputation does take time. It can also take some times to find your place in the blogosphere, but by working hard it usually pays off!
@JeremyDay: That’s a good interview you did and I voted for it on blogengage
The correct URL though to vote it up is this one: http://www.blogengage.com/story.php?title=interview-with-yan-author-of-thou-shall-blog
Oh, and I’m glad you like the blog and will be more than happy to be part of your link love
@Dennis: Stop spamming with your last post in here dude! Just kidding, it is a very nice addition to this post
Yeah, I remember that day some marketers lost everything! Well good for them, it just reminds us that MFA websites aren’t the way to go.
One possible solution to crapternet is making use of the about pages to provide some level of credential vetting, whether it be via a mini-CV, or a linkedin badge, or something. (hmmm, I should do this myself)
Now, in the medical blogging arena its tough, as due to HIPAA, hospital policy, coworker headaches, liability, and other things… med folks prefer anonymity. Very few, outside of retired folks, or institution sponsored and scrubbed blogs have the freedom to do so. (and scrubbed med blogs, while not crapternet reflect the tone of the institution, not so much the medical professional blogger, and the loss of authenticity makes them borderline imho)
In 1998, in a meeting with a VC for our latest medical product, they really drove home vetting of the physician testimonials… not paid product placement, but legit paper trails. The VC ideally wanted something researched at NIH to really drive home the credibility aspect. Of course the dotcom world crashed before we got very far publication wise, but the knowledge we gained during that time was invaluable.
And I think that in the domain of the marketer who is outside his/her domain of expertise, something similar could apply. Outside vetting… strike up a dialog with a guru in the field, get them to comment on your blog, even if its partly negative. Retired professionals are often highly opinionated, many have time, and if invited, who knows…. and it the opinion is negative, use that to either A, crank up marketing with engagement perhaps even with other med professionals, or B, resolve that said effort is going down the wrong path.
Granted the above approach is time consuming, and it really only applies to a long term sustainable business model… not grab the latest google trend and run adsense like mad for a few months or less. For jump and go, I think about the only thing to do, is error on the side of caution, esp in the medical domain.
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@Suzie Orman – jeez, you could at least have the decency to “spin” my comment a bit if you are going to steal it! not cool!
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If this is a moral dilemma people, they can actually try to construct good content when they build their medical related pages with high CPC in mind. This is what Mahalo for instance is doing. And this is more a long term strategy anyway because if the content is actually decent it might get edu links etc., and then it can acquire self-reinforcing authority. More expensive to make sites this way…more benefits down the road though.
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This is an interesting post. Thanks for sharing ! Hope to see your new posts soon.
Ya know, this is a pretty thoughtful blog overall. I liked it as SEO Horror, and just overall I can see why you’ve built up a loyal community. It’s taking time and exploring interesting subjects that makes you worthwhile. Good work.
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I think you bring up an interesting point. In a way, I don’t have a problem with people putting up some of these websites, as long as they’ve done some kind of research before they put the information up. If they’re putting up bad information, that’s worse than good information they know nothing about.
However, I guess we also have to say “buyer beware”, of sorts. I’m diabetic, so I know that, if I’m looking up information on Google, if the American Diabetes site or another medical site I know comes up, I know who the authority information is coming from. Yeah, I know it’s not always that easy, but we, and the public, always have to be cautious in evaluating what we’re looking at.
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I like your point. I never thought of it as exactly as you have though. I just always knew that writing content for websites that NEED accurate information wasn’t for me. I’m no expert in a lot of fields. I do write about what I know.
I have even been hesitant to hire Copywriters, because they sometimes produce “crap” too. This is the Internet, freely get Information and most importantly the information should be accurate, and help the masses have more knowledge!
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Ouchhh. I feel guilty about that. It's true Ben, as we write our articles we need to be careful of the source. If it is from reliable person or not. We must also consider the welfare of our readers.