I'm using AdWords to build focused traffic for a non-profit I am working with. It works and we're very happy with clickthroughs and conversions.
However there may be a problem with a competitor.
We find, just above our ad, an advertisement for a product which looks highly suspect. False claims, expiring offers that don't expire; the more I look at it, the more this looks like a real con job.
As we are buying similar words, it sort of makes a bad impression in the neighborhood.
Everybody's got their right to advertise, and I would prefer to give them the benefit of the doubt for the moment -- but my client might feel otherwise...
It appears that they are not following AdWords guidelines - or if they are, they are skating on mighty thin ice.
My questions are as follows:
How would one determine if this was a legitimate offer?
Where does one draw the line between promotional, deceptive and fraudulent - and who makes the decision?
If it was found to be an illegitimate come-on scheme, what would I or the client do?
Thanks,
Chew
Go to your client's website and make a purchase (with your client's card of course - he seems to be more worried about surfers' browsing experience).
>>> Where does one draw the line between promotional, deceptive and fraudulent - and who makes the decision?
The end-users. The surfers. Definitely not competitors - because there is a slight conflict of interest here. Imagine how strange it would sound to AdWords people if you say something like -
"Hi, I think one of my competitor is selling a con scheme. I am not sure about it I have a strong feeling they are trying to cheat people. Can you do something about it?"
>>> If it was found to be an illegitimate come-on scheme, what would I or the client do?
Email AdWords support at adwords-support@google.com.
