Forum Moderators: buckworks & skibum

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Mildly offensive ad title

Apparently this is allowed in AdWords

         

HayMeadows

7:21 pm on Dec 22, 2003 (gmt 0)

10+ Year Member



PPC Ad states:

Screwed by "widget" companies?
Find out what the "widget's" don't want
you to know. They use our service!

We are one of the "widget" companies referred to, and are extremely offended by this negative type of advertising campaign.

We've reported this to Google and the offending company, neither will do anything about it. In fact the offending company sent a page to us where Google talks about being cautious of "widgets".

I'm quite shocked this is allowed.

Robino

7:33 pm on Dec 22, 2003 (gmt 0)

WebmasterWorld Senior Member 10+ Year Member



Haven't we already been through this?

We are one of the "widget" companies referred to..

No, no specific companies are mentioned.

I'm in the same field and I don't feel offended at all. So, I guess it's a good thing Google makes the actual decision.

Personally, I think it's a good ad.

If you're so concerned, bid on the same phrases and COMPETE!

jimbeetle

7:46 pm on Dec 22, 2003 (gmt 0)

WebmasterWorld Senior Member 10+ Year Member Top Contributors Of The Month



Hate to say it, but I think it's a great headline. Eye-catching, concise and, sorry to say, the thought embodies what many people happen to think.

I don't see what recourse you expect to have. There are plenty of widget companies out there that have fiddled money for little in return, just as there are many companies in the sprocket, cog and other industries that take advantage of unsuspecting clients.

And the ad doesn't specifically mention your company or any other widget company; it's targeted more at people who have had <ahem>less than satisfying experiences</ahem> with widget comapanies in general. Why not go after somebody elses unsatisfied customers?

Looking at the other ads that pop up this is by far the best of the bunch.

HayMeadows

9:57 pm on Dec 22, 2003 (gmt 0)

10+ Year Member



I don't see what recourse you expect to have.

That's easy, disqualify the ad.

If Google's PPC Ads are an attempt to show relevant trustworthy results, they fail miserably here.

Robino

9:58 pm on Dec 22, 2003 (gmt 0)

WebmasterWorld Senior Member 10+ Year Member



How did they fail?

Edouard_H

10:32 pm on Dec 22, 2003 (gmt 0)

10+ Year Member



COMPETE!

- right on the money. Build a landing page to support competitive claims per editorial guidelines and target the ad for the terms relevant to their type of widgetry.

Robino

11:39 pm on Dec 22, 2003 (gmt 0)

WebmasterWorld Senior Member 10+ Year Member



Widgetry? Man, that takes the cake!

This subject was brought up a few weeks ago. The bottom line is that most people don't find the word screwed offensive. And it's not like kids are going to be searching for SEO related stuff.

If that Ad. is too much for you to handle, you may be in the wrong business field.

HayMeadows didn't think "screwed" was too offensive to use as a title for this thread.

HayMeadows

12:30 am on Dec 23, 2003 (gmt 0)

10+ Year Member



Build a landing page to support competitive claims per editorial guidelines and target the ad for the terms relevant to their type of widgetry.

Great constructive idea Edouard_H, thank you!

HayMeadows

3:07 pm on Dec 23, 2003 (gmt 0)

10+ Year Member



Please note: The Moderators changed the title of this thread from "Screwed" to "Mildly offensive ad title".

Google should take note!