Effects from Automated Reporting Tools

How can the SE's determine who to penalize?

[Eric_Lander]

It has been discussed many time before, that the use of automated reporting and submission tools can lead to penalization within specific search engines and have an affect within appearance in SERPS.

My question, is this: How can the search engine I am reporting on, using one of these tools, make the corrolation between the IP address of my personal computer and the IP address of the domain in which I am reporting on?

I understand how they can detect the corrolation between user and domain IPs when submitting - but if just reporting, how can an SE decipher what is happening within my reporting tools - and find out what domain I am reporting on? Isn't it true that they can just tell I'm using an application that queries their DBs in an automated approach?

If anyone could elaborate on this, I would appreciate. If I need to explain this a bit better, please just ask me to do so - as I think my coffee has yet to kick in.

Thanks,
~ Eric

[grnidone]

I don't know how to answer your question, but I'll tell you my theory on the subject.

I had heard that some engines will keep records of IP address in the Network solutions database, but I have no idea if that is really true. It could be a rumor. *shrug* It wouldn't surprise me one way or the other.

I think engines only really have a problem with automated reporting tools when they are used aggressively.

So, if a reporting tool *hammers* the engine's server with repeated requests and repeated sumbissions every hour on the hour, it will cause the admin to put a block on the ip being used. I can't say I'd blame them.

If the reporting tool plays 'nice', I can't see any reason an engine would have a problem with it.