You competitors can see you're using the ad network!

I understand they are cached.
a php file read of the image would achieve the same results, no?
(in which case it wouldn't even need to be an image file)
There are ways to do this without showing the outside world.
Only difference being that you would not be able to detect where the visitors are from as all file loads would be from the server showing the ads.

You can call it paranoia - I call it caution. The tracking image does make it very easy for all sites participating in the network to get penalized. If you're not at least a little concerned about that, you should be.

 

I don't include the adnetwork on my own sites.

I'm more worried my competitors look through "link:mydomain.com" and seeing my link, a simple view source and they see the digitalpoint domain name!

 

Very well put.

 

No I he has indeed announced it is against the TOS messing with the ad code.

 

If you are so worried and concerned why don't you just take the code off?

Problem solved

 

I don't see why there would be a problem. If changes preserve the functionality, while meeting everyones needs, no-one loses out. Besides, I think you'll find the code is well and truly messed with by almost every WM out there seeking best fit etc.

I'm sure Shawn will say so if he disagrees.

Cheers,

JL

 

If you are worried about being penalized by using the Coop Network then you shouldn't be using it. Pure and Simple.

Removing that piece of code does nothing to reduce the visibility as far as Google is concerned.

 

That's also a redundant point since there's many ads in the co-op advertising the co-op. And even more webmasters who have a sixth link saying 'Advertise here for free' with a referal link to their co-op account.

Just like Goooooogle sticks their name on AdSense, I don;t mind being publicly associated with DP's products and services. It spreads the word and grows the network which is good for us.

If you don;t want to reveal your 'gem' to the competition, then my hunch is you rely too much on this network. It should only be part of your marketing mix so if he/she would find out about you using it you should still be way ahead because of your other means of SEO and Marketing.

 

You're missing the point, google is a another matter.

I'm more worried about the people who nosey into what I do. My competitors, you've already expressed you don't want YOUR competitors finding out. So what's the harm?

 

You asked for this to be back on topic (yours) but then you post#23.

I feel my comments are on topic as John answered your original question as have others commented on that possibility

 

There are many bad things that could happen with the network now not appearing "natural". Search engines, competitors, etc. I think it's the wrong direction, and agree with the thread creator. That being said, it is not my network.

 

Avoiding TFMG's problem could be done by letting only one co-op member advertise the same keyword phrase at the time. Similar to how Overture won't let you write 2 ads for the same phrases. But then a network wide uniqueness (perhaps tied in with the language feature so one advertiser targeting US only won't be witholding a Polish advertiser for using the same KW). If you know what I mean (sounds complicated when I re-read this).

I mean that if Yfs1 would advertise Self Help CDs, no one else could until Yfs1 disbles his ad. This way there should be no fear of what your competition does. With a reasonable ad limit (like the 20 now imposed) there should be no people 'harvesting' all phrases.

Just thinking out loud...

 

The thread creator wasn't even talking about Google. Reread the original question.

As far as natural, it is more natural to have tracking stats with an "Ad Network"

What isn't natural about this?!?

To me hiding everything is what will cause Google to feel it isn't natural.

 

No, it's our network. The people make up the network (as Shawn has said). We all need to agree what direction it takes (in my opinion).

I really don't see the harm in changing the url or indeed having a better stats tracking method.

 

I am sick of these pathetic newbies coming here and posting garbage about the coop. The one that started the thread isn't even a member of the forum, he just joined to post his crap. And then came along another newbie supporting him.

You never see a regular user here complaining about the coop. Why? Because we are experienced webmasters and know how the coop works and what is for. If you think the coop is for getting top rankings then you are just stupid, it is an advertising network, and you crying about your competitors seeing you using it is like if you complained to adsense that your competitors can see that you have the adsense code on your site.

As we have said, no one is forcing you to use the network, if you don't like it take the code off and go away, but stop all the damn bitching and whining

Damn these newbies make me mad...

 

Fryman - that seems to be your answer to everything.
If you don't like it - leave.

We are all well aware that we have the option to remove the co-op code from our sites, we don't need you to tell us that - over and over and over again.

This is an important issue for some (many?) - it is totally possible to achieve the same tracking info without making it quite so blatent what's going on.

This is a discussion forum, what's the crime in discussing this issue and offering up some alternative solutions that address the concerns of some of the members?

I for one would not recommend anyone LEAVE the co-op, we all rely on each other to make this thing work. If members have concerns about the recent changes, it seems this forum is the appropriate place to discuss those concerns.

If you're not concerned about it at all - why are you even participating in this thread?

 

If a change is made to improve the tracking stats or the way they are delivered, I am all for it.

If you are merely asking for changes in order to hide your involvement, then I feel thats a waste of time.

 

Wow, someone so terribly "concerned" about this and with 7 posts...

Proves my point.

 

One of the first things I do when I spy a potential ad network is glance at the source for reference. In fact, between whois.sc, correllation of text links across various caches, and a sites source, you can find out quite a lot.

I don't care too much about my competitors finding out, just so long as they do so via my referrer code. If possible, I do think there should be an option for silent running, that way every one wins.

Cheers,

JL

 

I was one of the first 100 people to sign up to the network actually. However I periodically change my username for the same reason as my "whining".

You're fighting yourself here, YOU don't want YOUR competitors finding out (as I'm sure none of us do). Business is business, you don't reveal any of your marketing techniques to your competitors (do you?).

Based on your admittance to that fact I have a valid point.

Do we want stats? Yes
Do we want a legit ethical network? Yes
Do we want our competitors finding out? No

It's all about damage limitation, yes I'm sure they could work it out if they're clever enough but I don't want to put it under their noses!