1P / Traffic Power Fake SEO Forum [Archive] - Search Engine Watch Forums

seobook

09-30-2004, 06:05 AM

How many fake SEO forums exist on the web?

This SEO forum listed below has a ton of anti Aaron speech going on...how many SEO forums:

only list two sources of seo news (one of which being me)
individually review a bunch of seo websites...as the seo forum categories
say that I cold called them offering services...based on how much time I spend reading books and posting in forums and stuff I don't have time to cold call people. in fact I have even called a bunch of other seos asking if I could refer people to them...and even yesterday refered away a repeat client sell to a friend.
review both of my sites as two of about 14 categories
only have categories of sites that have bashed traffic power AND
give positive reviews of traffic power AND 1P
can you say scam?

web-advertising-info.com/discuss/

<added>
a more extended 1P / Traffic Power SEO Forum Rant (http://www.seobook.com/archives/000537.shtml) on my blog...</added>

NFFC

09-30-2004, 06:20 AM

That site deserves an award, it is the funniest thing I have ever seen.

Nick W

09-30-2004, 06:28 AM

*** This post will be moderated upon posting and unviewable until approved. ***

HAHAHA, i'll just bet it will be ROTFLMFAO :D

Here's what i just tried to post:

You guy(s) have a lot to learn about sabotage, this is the silliest most clearly pre-contrived drivel i've ever seen.

Sheesh, my dogs could do a more convincing job of trashing someone! LoL!

What a joke...

Nick

chris

09-30-2004, 07:03 AM

Ahhhh...a coward hiding behind securewhois I see.

I'd take it as a complement that some people can be so jealous.

Although the nameservers are for hosting from phpwebhosting so you could always complain.

mat

09-30-2004, 07:28 AM

Oh dear oh dear oh dear. Yet, something doesn't add up - I thought transparent windows didn't come in until XP, yet I'm on 2K and I can see right through this to the small collection of small boys beyond.

Surely it can be no coincidence that Traffic Power is an anagram of 'Crap, write off'?

seobook

09-30-2004, 07:34 AM

I am betting that I could probably sue for that because those are straight up lies...and even though the site is registered through proxy that information has to be given if they are using it for illegal purposes...if they were that stupid to where they made it that transparent they had to make other mistakes too.

if anyone wants to sue and has a lawyer I would gladly chip in whatever my part was to sue those guys.

Nick W

09-30-2004, 07:47 AM

The nameservers are not the real host but this is
http://theplanet.com/

Go complain Aaron, get the MF's unplugged. (you make enough threats and noise and they'll most likely take it down)

Nick

Chris Boggs

09-30-2004, 08:47 AM

what a load... the sad thing is some fools will actually believe this drivel. did you see the 3-post conversation at web-advertising-info.com/discuss/viewtopic.php?t=13 ?

something like:

(Tina's friend) "Hey Mike I heard Tina is really cool..."
(Tina's other friend) "Really, I have never heard of Tina, what is she like?"
(TF) "Well Mike, I think she just got into town. But I know she's cool...and easy too!"
(Mike) "Wow I've got to do something with Tina!"

I can't wait until I have to explain to someone that this is all made-up. Do you think the chat will ever enjoy the rankings for various topics that SEW enjoys? I think not...but if so I have my BS meter ready to go...

Thanks for the heads-up, seobook... I needed something funny this morning and I've already seen two real laughers...

Joseph Morin

09-30-2004, 09:42 AM

On one hand that is the funniest thing, absolutely hysterical. On the other hand, to those newbies who accidentally stumble across it and dont know the names (like seobook) it might actually be believable.

Aaron, you're right, something needs to be done.

I, Brian

09-30-2004, 10:35 AM

I just read some of the posts - and I cannot believe that anyone would be so moronic as to put up libellous comment against so many companies in one place.

Anonymous WHOIS it may be - but the host will certainly know who is paying the bills.

Nick W

09-30-2004, 11:06 AM

I suggest you get onto theplanet.com right away...... i would, i'd kick up such a stink they'd wish I'd never been born! :D

Nick

seobook

09-30-2004, 11:12 AM

I will call soon...still gathering facts...Andy just found another couple bogus forums

seo-talk.net
seo-forum.net

Nick W

09-30-2004, 11:32 AM

Clearly the same people but they've not been so stealthy on their hosting. Both nameservers for the 2 sites are the real hosts from what i can see...

What a bunch of jokers, perhaps they think that everybody in the world is stupid? - bizzarre, i mean really, an 11yr old could be more convincing...

Nick

dstew

09-30-2004, 11:43 AM

Isn't it strange that everyone posting has joined in the span of just a few days? :rolleyes:

rth

09-30-2004, 01:19 PM

I just found this site and it looks like it may offer a great deal of help in my SEO education. I checked out the URL's of the suspected fake seo forums. I am convinced. Aaron's book must be great. :) Why else would someone go to such trouble to knock it?

It is obvious that the 3 sites are related and their primary goal is to discredit Aaron's book and prop up a couple of SEOs that they favor. I would investigate legal action.

Roger

seobook

09-30-2004, 01:22 PM

Hi Roger
welcome to the forums :)

it appears that the discrediting is toward SEO sites in general that pointed out stuff about traffic power. since they cold called me and since I was loud about it I am getting my share :rolleyes:

David Wallace

09-30-2004, 01:47 PM

It kind of reminds me of a bunch of little boys sneaking behind the barn to cuss and smoke cigars. I don't think even a newbie would take any of them seriously. This surely is not a very itteligent crowd that is posting there by any means.

Nick W

09-30-2004, 01:58 PM

>>crowd

heh! that's being to kind David, i shouldnt think it's any more than 2 of them...

nick

AndyBeal

09-30-2004, 02:05 PM

Wait....I hear horses....there!....over the hill...its the SEMPO cavalry! Jumping into action to protect the reputation of the SEO industry from false claims and inaccurate information.

No, my mistake. They've decided to form a committee to discuss the fake forums, but not with members, and the committee chair is being self-appointed with a nice stipend. ;)

seobook

09-30-2004, 02:14 PM

with a nice stipend. ;)
at least thats working out well...

NFFC

09-30-2004, 02:30 PM

Looking on the positive side I think those targetted in the charade earn themselves a badge of honour, its a list of some of the playa's in the game for sure. I think the other thing that comes to my mind is that it proves what a clueless bunch those TP/1P people are.

On a more serious note it shows the need to treat forums in general with a little care. Many forums have a primary purpose of reinforcing the owners business model, just because they aren't as in your face or as plain stupid as the TP/1P thing doesn't mean the intent isn't there.

I'm not saying that forum owners shouldn't use their own sites to help promote their business models, just that users should be aware that it may be happening and add the pinch of skeptisicm needed when interacting on an anonymous Internet message board.

seobook

09-30-2004, 02:35 PM

On a more serious note it shows the need to treat forums in general with a little care. Many forums have a primary purpose of reinforcing the owners business model, just because they aren't as in your face or as plain stupid as the TP/1P thing doesn't mean the intent isn't there.
I think that is one of the hardest things for most business owners to do. We probably all are somewhat bad at that...kinda a good reason to work hard to make sure there is a diverse mix of active participation.

bethabernathy

09-30-2004, 02:48 PM

Sam said he'd like to help in any way possible ;).

Dodger

10-01-2004, 04:29 AM

Hmm...I was looking at the SE poll on the web-advertising-info.com site. Wow! AltaVista is the most popular SE according to that poll. Running over 50% with Google waaaaay back there. :eek:

Vote early -- vote often! :D

Seriously. One of the sites is using a member name of "cbp". There is a cbp at WebProWorld, he is a moderator there. Plus he is a DMOZ editor too. I do not think this is him -- but I think if he found out that his nick is being used over there, he may get a little disgruntled.

strategicrankings

10-01-2004, 07:09 AM

its clear that its the same and only person posting and replying to the bashing threads.

Jake

10-01-2004, 09:58 AM

its clear that its the same and only person posting and replying to the bashing threads.

I agree. On the face of it his, or her, statements are libelous and some action should be taken.

However, and I'm not defending TP/1P here, I would err on the side of caution and not accuse the company of being behind the forum. It could just be some misguided individual. Why put yourself at risk without knowing all the facts?

dstew

10-01-2004, 12:33 PM

It could just be some misguided individual. Why put yourself at risk without knowing all the facts?

There's one sure way to find out. Get a list of their members. I'm betting they are 1P employees. I'm not sure you could be successful with a subpoena, but someone could mysteriously "happen" across an "unguarded" member list.

In reality though, I think the better route would be to simply try to get the libelous sites shut down. At this point, I'm guessing that they haven't hurt sales.

Nick W

10-01-2004, 12:39 PM

>>haven't hurt sales

I wouldnt be in the least surpised to find sales have increased....

seobook?

Nick

seobook

10-01-2004, 12:52 PM

>>haven't hurt sales

I wouldnt be in the least surpised to find sales have increased....

seobook?

Nick
sales have been light the last couple days. about 50% of normal...the damages are already occuring :eek:

Nick W

10-01-2004, 12:55 PM

Sorry to hear that dude :mad:

I understand we have sombody on the case, i know they will get it sorted....

Nick

seobook

10-01-2004, 01:13 PM

I think it is awesome how many people have spoke about this on a good handful of sites and how few links point at the sites

Elisabeth

10-01-2004, 01:51 PM

In reality though, I think the better route would be to simply try to get the libelous sites shut down. At this point, I'm guessing that they haven't hurt sales.

i certainly agree with that, however, think about that in reverse - TP can also claim the same about other discussion forums that have allowed discussion of TP's practices in a negative view, without adding a disclaimer about validity or what have you.

and unless google PUBLICLY states the connection between TP and banned sites very clearly, it's walking a thin line.

dstew

10-01-2004, 02:29 PM

Good point, Elisabeth. I'll just add this...almost of what I've seen on TP are claims that have been substantiated. It's unfortunate that it would probably take a court to sort this out. I hate that shady people have the opportunity to damage an industry as a whole under the guise of free speech.

David Wallace

10-01-2004, 02:51 PM

sales have been light the last couple days. about 50% of normal...the damages are already occuring :eek:
You can certainly claim that if you go to court but really, who knows about these fake forums but us? I doubt the general public does. They just go to Google and type in something like "SEO" and whala, there you are (currently #9 - pretty dang good IMO). They wouldn't find those forums.

Therefore the forums really exist to either piss off the SEOs/SEMs that are mentioned there or maybe the forums have even been started by ex-employees trying to get TP in trouble. Rumor has it that there has been a huge exodus of employees over there.

Elisabeth

10-01-2004, 02:53 PM

or, the forums were started knowing the anti-TP sites would link back to them, then they'd get link pop and be able to promote their own services only through the traffic that comes as a result.

seobook

10-01-2004, 06:29 PM

You can certainly claim that if you go to court but really, who knows about these fake forums but us? I doubt the general public does.
I found them on a search engine (while searching for my site name). Stuff like SEO or search egnine optimization is hard to compete for, but domain names are not that hard if you make them the page titles.
pretty dang good IMO
thanks :)

Therefore the forums really exist to either piss off the SEOs/SEMs that are mentioned there or maybe the forums have even been started by ex-employees trying to get TP in trouble. Rumor has it that there has been a huge exodus of employees over there.

in a comment in my blog (from my favorite dog):
Well I talked to http://detailhosting.com and I am filing a police report. So either you come clean or face a nice stint in jail for Defamation.

that page is currently ranking at #3 in Google for 1P and is perhaps part of the reason I was a featured guest topic in the below board forums

Anthony Parsons

10-01-2004, 11:31 PM

Anthony Parsons

10-01-2004, 11:50 PM

I just tried to post on the seo-forum.net site, with a username of: This Is A Spam Forum, and was going to spam the board with everything against them, though funny enough, no one can post without every post being moderated! Gee, I wonder why? 1P Trafficpower W*nkers

PhilC

10-02-2004, 04:39 AM

I don't know if links are allowed in this forum, but here's an article on the subject.

http://www.webworkshop.net/traffic-power.html

PhilC

10-02-2004, 06:11 AM

One or two people have suggested that the forums could be somebody setting TP up, but I don't see how it can be. When unknowing, potential clients find the forums, the beneficiaries are going to be TP/1P and the losers are going to be those who have been maliciously targeted - HighRankings is the worst hit.

The idea of legal action isn't on unless it can be proved that TP/1P is behind the forums, and that may be difficult, or even impossible, to do. I can't see anyone with an axe to grind against TP setting it up like that.

If the forums remain and are built up, they are going to be found by potential clients, TP/1P is going to benefit, and the targeted people are going to suffer defamation. Having them shut down would be ideal, but even that won't be easy. It may be easy enough to persuade one host to dump them, but they can simply move to another host, and so on.

So as well as trying to get the forums shut down, I think that a lot of publicity is in order. People in and around the search engine business should do what they can to publicize the fact that the forums are fake, as are many of the members and many of the posts (innocuous posts by outsiders do get published after being scrutinized). I've started to do my bit with the article in the previous post, but I doubt that I'll stop there.

One thing that can be done by all forum owners is to have something prominent in the forum - something that can't be missed. Perhaps most potential clients look in forums, and if they find a warning about the scam everywhere they go, they will surely keep away from TP/1P, and ignore the nasty stuff in the fake forums.

Dodger

10-02-2004, 02:42 PM

One or two people have suggested that the forums could be somebody setting TP up, but I don't see how it can be. When unknowing, potential clients find the forums, the beneficiaries are going to be TP/1P and the losers are going to be those who have been maliciously targeted - HighRankings is the worst hit.

Actually there is a third possiblity, but I am going to reserve comment on that until more unfolds over at these fake forums.

If the forums remain and are built up, they are going to be found by potential clients, TP/1P is going to benefit, and the targeted people are going to suffer defamation.

The only way they can be built up is from outside links, correct? So far from what I have seen, nobody has provided them with those links.

So as well as trying to get the forums shut down, I think that a lot of publicity is in order. People in and around the search engine business should do what they can to publicize the fact that the forums are fake, as are many of the members and many of the posts (innocuous posts by outsiders do get published after being scrutinized). I've started to do my bit with the article in the previous post, but I doubt that I'll stop there.

One thing that can be done by all forum owners is to have something prominent in the forum - something that can't be missed. Perhaps most potential clients look in forums, and if they find a warning about the scam everywhere they go, they will surely keep away from TP/1P, and ignore the nasty stuff in the fake forums.

This would probably be a best time for SEMPO to jump in and do it's thing.

But whether they do or not, I don't think publicizing the fake forums is the answer. It will only call more attention to them. Best to discuss it right here at SEW and if you have to refer to the fact that these forums exist -- refer them to this thread.

It is like that Michael Moore film -- he had all the best advertising that his budget could not afford in a million years because of all the "bad press". Let's not do the same thing by publicizing this all across the net.

bethabernathy

10-02-2004, 02:50 PM

This would probably be a best time for SEMPO to jump in and do it's thing.

What thing would that be? :eek:

Nick W

10-02-2004, 02:56 PM

Scrare the crap out of them with walls of silence?
Committee them to death?

LoL!

Nick

Dodger

10-02-2004, 03:01 PM

What thing would that be? :eek:

I am sorry Beth, let me restate that.

This would probably be a best time for SEMPO to jump in and do it's thing. :confused: or :eek: or :rolleyes:

PhilC

10-02-2004, 04:36 PM

You may be right not to spread the word, Ronnie, but I can see those forums building quietly up. We are not providing them with links, but they'll get some just the same - probably of their own making - and they don't really need links - just fake posts.

The way I see it is that, if the entire search engine industry says that those forums are fake, then potential clients will act on it by not trusting TP. If nothing is publicised, TP could be happily pointing potential clients (from tele-marketing) at the forums to back up their claims. The seo industry can't reach all potential clients, but we can reach many of them.

bethabernathy

10-02-2004, 04:47 PM

I think it is just one guy. Has a day job with (maybe TP) and his lawyer is located in Las Vegas.

Dodger

10-02-2004, 04:53 PM

If it comes to be -- then yes, I agree that a concerted effort should be made to discredit these sites. But, right now, the more attention you draw to them -- the better you play into their hands.

And notice how I did not say play into TP's hands. There is still no proof that they are actually behind any of this. Not in my mind anyway.

If this were actually TP -- you would think that they would put together a classier looking site than just slopping up some barely legible phpBB crap themes. If they were intent on discrediting anyone, they would have done a better job that what I am seeing.

Also, if TP were behind it, they would have had those links up or some way getting the word out better than just "word of mouth".

Just because TP is being heralded does not mean they are pro-TP -- this could be a diversion by somebody for another agenda. Perhaps somebody that has a beef with both Aaron and Jill and they want the blame to go on TP.

The list of names that they are targeting I am having a problem with also. But I am reserving comment on that as well, until I see more unveiled over there.

WilliamC

10-02-2004, 04:57 PM

Ronnie: I think you forget one thing. Links do not have to be relevant. Just because none of us in this industry will link them, does not mean they can not get tons of links easily.

Link, relevant or not all count. They could still take the top spots in the SERPs with any old links. Then what? People are mislead and services are slandered en masse.

Better that those of you who are adept at writing articles, do so, and get them published everywhere, and gear the main jist of the articles to as many different industries as possible to cover all routes of exposure.

Edit: From recent events, I know just how easy it is to prove that these sites are either TP or not. Follow the money. It is amazing what a little thing it is to have an attorney file a DMCA with their host and then immediately follow it with a subpeona for records. This would cost them around $200-300 to do. Assuming that Jill and Aaron have adequate "lost business" cases, which in my opinion they definately do, that sum is next to nothing at all.

Dodger

10-02-2004, 05:08 PM

Ronnie: I think you forget one thing. Links do not have to be relevant. Just because none of us in this industry will link them, does not mean they can not get tons of links easily.

Link, relevant or not all count. They could still take the top spots in the SERPs with any old links. Then what? People are mislead and services are slandered en masse.

Better that those of you who are adept at writing articles, do so, and get them published everywhere, and gear the main jist of the articles to as many different industries as possible to cover all routes of exposure.

First Will -- my point was two part. Not to call attention to them at all was part of it. Links is a seperate issue and I did not say anything about them having to be relevant.

The only way these people are going to get noticed is if we call attention to them. If we write full blown articles about it, then people become curious and check them out. What better way to promote these sites than negative press, eh? I am not going to do it and I encourage others not do it either. The less you say about it the better.

If the links get bought, bartered or made in some fashion where they get found in the SE's -- then yes, that may be the time to do a counter-campaign of article posting.

bethabernathy

10-02-2004, 05:14 PM

His lawyer is Larry Weinstein (sp?) located in Las Vegas out of office until Wednesday of next week. Got the info. from one of the hosts.

WilliamC

10-02-2004, 05:15 PM

The only way these people are going to get noticed is if we call attention to them. If we write full blown articles about it, then people become curious and check them out. What better way to promote these sites than negative press, eh? I am not going to do it and I encourage others not do it either. The less you say about it the better.

If people are stupid enough to try to use them after reading a large number of articles about the scam, then they are at fault and have nobody to blame. Everyone here knows each other in some capacity. So all articles written link to prior ones so people see just how widespread this is. Sorry, but that will not help them in any way.

If the links get bought, bartered or made in some fashion where they get found in the SE's -- then yes, that may be the time to do a counter-campaign of article posting.

Is it not a little too late by then? By then hundreds or thousands of people daily will be going to their sites. The only time you are going to hurt them anytime soon is pre-emptively. Sitting on your butt hoping their fake forums won't help them and won't hurt Jill and Aaron is not going to help either them or all the users who may be caught up in it.

Edit: missed a part of your reply at first.

The only way they can be built up is from outside links, correct? So far from what I have seen, nobody has provided them with those links.

No, you did not say anything about relevance. I did. Your statement seemed to me to indicate that nobody has linked them yet. I was merely pointing out that links can come from anywhere, not just this industry. They are an SEO firm if indeed the forums belong to TP, so they most likely have resources for link aquisition. Creating the forums would be the first step, getting links would be the second.

cbp

10-02-2004, 06:26 PM

For the record

I am not the cbp that is posting at that forum, supporting TP and attacking Jill Whalen and Aaron Wall. I am the cbp that is a moderator at WebProWorld and occasionaly post's at JimWorld's Forums and at Jill's High Ranking's Forums. My views on TP are well documented at WPW, which is probably why someone has taken my usual username.

WilliamC

10-02-2004, 06:41 PM

wouldn't surprise me cbp.

Dodger

10-02-2004, 07:57 PM

If people are stupid enough to try to use them after reading a large number of articles about the scam, then they are at fault and have nobody to blame. Everyone here knows each other in some capacity. So all articles written link to prior ones so people see just how widespread this is. Sorry, but that will not help them in any way.

Maybe we should ask Jill and Aaron what they think about this idea then. If it was my name on that list and was attacked in this manner, I would just ignore it and not make it a bigger deal than it already is.

Chances are this will just blow over. By publicizing it more, then you are just fanning the flames.

I think that you should at least let Jill or Aaron weigh in on how they feel, they are the ones with the most to lose.

PhilC

10-02-2004, 08:44 PM

It's a scam that I feel very strongly about - not on behalf of the people who are being attacked, but on behalf of potential seo clients.

There are two sets of people being targeted - those who are being personally attacked, and potential clients, who may be lured into hiring an seo company that, unknown to them, will run the very big risk of getting their sites banned by Google. My article is for the benefit of the latter, and it is those people who we ought to be warning. A secondary effect of warning them will be to help those who are being attacked, although I'm sure they can look after themselves. We don't need to ask anyone's opinion about it.

WilliamC

10-02-2004, 09:03 PM

Maybe we should ask Jill and Aaron what they think about this idea then.

That is all fine and dandy, they are 2 people being attacked. But what about the thousands of people that TP will nail again? Personally, it is no contest and does not require anyones approval.

seobook

10-02-2004, 09:52 PM

IMHO what makes the web great is that you can set up feedback networks or write about anything that interests you...

even if you are not involved in and / or know little about that subject. <--- I do this all the time. It is the ability to learn whatever you want that makes the web an amazing place.

I think Bob Massa said something along the lines of: it is not normal for people to think of themselves as bad.

Traffic Power / 1P are not in their own minds evil. They may be self centered and provide bad services (as many have stated), but that does not make them evil people. Someone may be spreading lies about others, but perhaps in their own version of reality they feel others have done it to them.

I am sure most of us have done some shoddy stuff or have been wrong about something we have said or done at some point. (in the past of course ;) )

In the same way some SEOs feel like the defenders of the world against search engine spam you will find many SEOs who feel the need to defend people from traffic power.

My site was added to that list probably because I spoke out against their services. Had they not cold called me I probably never would have said anything about them.

I have even stated negative things about some of the people typing in this thread on occassion, as some have said about me. IMHO you can't deal with bad seo services on a firm by firm basis. Prospective client education is the only legit route to go.

Traffic Power has ticked me off enough that they have branded and positioned themselves in my mind as "the example of a bad seo firm." Primarily thier cold call did that. Tons of people have cold called me, but they are the only SEO firm that called me out of the blue trying to sell me services...I believe on my cell phone # no less.

You can't make the consumer not be cheap. If people are willing to put their businesses on the line to random people who cold call them then they either do not have good business sense, need to do some learning, or were destined to fail.

IMHO if as a collective group we actually want to stop bad practices then we should create a free resource (similar to SEMPO) which does not have a circle or lots of marketing hype included in it.

Make the site free to join, offer a ton of good free & current info on the site.
Show the value of quality seo services and how exceptionally cheap services may be damaging to a business model or brand.

Many of the people posting here have enough money to be able to pitch in here and there and create such a resource. The problem is that us being marketers means that someone will always feel the need to lead it...perhaps if everyone wants to take a hunk of fraud out of the SEO market then we would be best off doing some of the stuff they were talking about on cre8asite forums a while ago...or creating an organization like Danny recommended in his reflections on sempo.

Many people posting here actually make more money because they have a strong brand and SEO has such a stigma around it...for them to join and support a group for the good of seo in general it may cost them on multiple fronts. Most marketers probably are not willing to do that.

Jill Whalen

10-02-2004, 11:56 PM

Unfortunately, when you are someone who is in the public eye, and you are not afraid to speak out about what you believe in, you will always be a target for this sort of thing. It goes with the territory. You can shut up and keep quiet and not be attacked, or you can do what you have to do and let the others do what they feel they have to do.

I'm not quite sure I get why some feel it's okay for them to attack me and others, but when others attack the very same people it's somehow bad or different. Gotta say that one is a stumper! Maybe it's a territorial thing? :eek:

WilliamC

10-03-2004, 12:40 AM

It is not territorial. It is the fact that those forums are not posting truths with data to back them up, but flat out lies and slander.

That is just plain wrong.

Jill Whalen

10-03-2004, 12:53 AM

I am laughing too hard to be able to post at the moment...

rustybrick

10-03-2004, 12:59 AM

What are the lies and slanders? I am catching up on this thread?

I know of several TP clients that got banned. Well, I have been taken advantage of in other industries.

WilliamC

10-03-2004, 01:06 AM

Rusty: TP (or someone trying to make it look like them) have started a few fake message boards, with both dedicated forums and threads with some really out there fabrications about some people.

Jill, I don't see why you are laughing, please elaborate :)

rustybrick

10-03-2004, 01:12 AM

Hmm, and I thought I read in TP's FAQs that they do not read or participate in forums.

Traffic-Power.com does not endorse or participate in any online forums that actively promote themselves or their affiliates by using online forums as recruiting grounds for SEO sales leads.

traffic-power-search-engine-placement.com/faq.html#20

WilliamC

10-03-2004, 01:16 AM

It could be someone trying to get them in a whole lot of trouble, but if so they are doing a pretty good job of promoting 1p instead.

Dodger

10-03-2004, 01:20 AM

It could be someone trying to get them in a whole lot of trouble, but if so they are doing a pretty good job of promoting 1p instead.

That is questionable. If I stumbled onto this forum, even if I knew nothing about SEO companies at all, I could see right thru the garbage and know it was trumped up bull.

WilliamC

10-03-2004, 01:24 AM

That is questionable. If I stumbled onto this forum, even if I knew nothing about SEO companies at all, I could see right thru the garbage and know it was trumped up bull.

Well, whether it is or is not for sure remains to be proven. Like I said, follow the money, that will tell all, and it will be conclusive.

bakedjake

10-03-2004, 01:35 AM

seobook

10-03-2004, 05:03 AM

Actually, TP's kinda brilliant here.

Anyone that stumbles upon their forums first will have a good view of them.

They're ballsy, that's for sure. Guerrilla marketing at its best. We should all learn from them.
IMHO it is a bit over the top to be effective.

there are far better ways...partner up with a few buddies and work in swarms, etc.

just creating such rubish to sit on its own...just not effective. they would be far better off adopting a few new names and starting from scratch kinda dipping in and out of legit forums supporting one another and the various new corporate identities...why hold on to / promote something that is so tarnished?

Nick W

10-03-2004, 05:17 AM

I agree, the general concept is kind of okay, but if you execute it like a tantrum throwing 6yr old it gives the game away..

Nick

PhilC

10-03-2004, 05:58 AM

I'm not quite sure I get why some feel it's okay for them to attack me and others, but when others attack the very same people it's somehow bad or different. Gotta say that one is a stumper! Maybe it's a territorial thing? :eek:
It's the difference between truth and lies, Jill, as you know. Personally, I'm not concerned about you. As I said in a previous post, my concern is for people who are looking for seo, who may be lured into hiring a company that will risk their websites without them knowing about it.

It's very difficult to know whether or not an unsuspecting person would see through the scam. It looks obvious to us, but we can't read the stuff through their eyes. Some people may well see through it, but I'm sure that many wouldn't. However, it would be much more obvious to them if they were informed about its nature in advance, which is why I think we should be prominently warning people.

I can't swallow the idea of it being someone with an axe to grind against TP. The idea of someone with an axe to grind against the people who are being attacked, and laying the blame at TP's door is more digestable. The idea that TP themselves are behind it is the favourite for me. Whoever is behind it, TP are the beneficiaries and unsuspecting potential clients are the losers. I say warn them in advance wherever possible.

Btw, I don't agree that bad publicity is good publicity. That only applies in the entertainment business. When it comes to wanting people to fork out significant money, bad publicity damages sales. I really can't see anyone, after reading reports on how a particular washing machine damages clothes, going out to buy one. We will go to a movie that gets slammed, just to see what the fuss was about, and because it doesn't cost much, but we won't spend money that matters on things that have bad 'press'.

fathom

10-03-2004, 06:03 AM

hmmm... seems to me they are actually getting the whole industry banded together. This has got to be the first thread "everyone agrees on"! :eek:

Fortunately, I doubt the forum will produce the desired effect... when you have "pre-mod" and pretty much only "you" posting... the dedication needed to generate interest is extreme... and TP's desire target non-savvy and to short cut makes this a moot issue.

seobook

10-03-2004, 06:31 AM

As I said in a previous post, my concern is for people who are looking for seo, who may be lured into hiring a company who will risk their websites without them knowing about it.
There are probably a bunch of SEO firms who will do this...they are but just one of many. (I do not think I am one, but who is to say that none of us will ever get penalized?)

It's very difficult to know whether or not an unsuspecting person would see through the scam. It looks obvious to us, but we can't read the stuff through their eyes.
I think that stuff would look transparent to most. Also that site generally pushes the wrong buttons, I mean how often do you see any sales messages that are generally that negative? If you invoke fear in people they are likely to be more hesitant and not interested in purchasing. ...and want to do further research.

Some people may well see through it, but I'm sure that many wouldn't. However, it would be much more obvious to them if they were informed about its nature in advance, which is why I think we should be prominently warning people.
If we really want to prominently warn people then we should make a post about each site name (optimized for each site name) or one general centralized post and then direct proper optimized link text at each. then if people ever search for the names of any of those sites they find a peer review of them first.

hmmm... seems to me they are actually getting the whole industry banded together. This has got to be the first thread "everyone agrees on"! :eek:
would be a good time to create an organization that actually supports the industry then ;)

Mikkel deMib Svendsen

10-03-2004, 06:57 AM

This has got to be the first thread "everyone agrees on"!

I am not sure about that :)

I think we all agree that TP is bad. Thats easy. At least when it comes to the quality of their SEO work. But, I kind of agree with Bakedjake that what they are doing now is brilliant - from a strategy point of view.

Anyone ever read Marketing Warfare by Jack Trout and Al Ries? You should! I believe these guys read it and they learned how to fight a (marketing and positioning) war! They may not win but they sure fight. They attack us (all the "good" SEO's, these forums etc) just where we don't like it: On the right to free speach - even if what is said is not true, slamming or narrow minded.

Yes, I think we can learn something from them. Not about SEO but about marketing warfare.

PhilC

10-03-2004, 07:28 AM

would be a good time to create an organization that actually supports the industry then ;)
You mentioned that idea in an earlier post, but it can't really be done, imo. For instance, there are people, even some in this thread, that I wouldn't sit at the same table with, and it's mutual. So what part of the seo industry would such an organisation support? Would it support spammers or would it draw the line somewhere - and where?

To my way of thinking, TP are extremely unethical in their treatment of clients, and I want to warn people about them. But they are not unethical in their methods as long as the clients understand the risks they are taking, and are given the choice of not taking the risks. Unfortunately, they do it without the clients awareness, and *that's* what makes them bad. Other people consider TP's methods themselves to be intrisically unethical.

So which part of the seo industry would the organisation support? Even within the few people in this thread, there are views that are so opposite that they couldn't come together in the same organisation.

Here's an example. When RustyBrick started his "Seo Round Table", he wanted me to be in it, and I accepted. When a couple of people (maybe one) saw that I was in it, they told him that they would withdraw. He didn't ask me to withdraw, but I volunteered to do so.

Why would my presence cause them to have that attitude? Because of my views. I do seo within the engines' guidelines, but, if staying within the guidelines doesn't succeed, then I am happy to go outside of them, but ONLY with the client's full knowledge, awareness of the risks involved, and agreement.

I call that perfectly ethical, but others don't. Those self-styled ethical people won't sit down with me, even though almost all of my work is within the engines' guidelines. They can't stomache the fact that I'm willing to go outside them if it is necessary, or if asked to.

So which part of the seo industry would the organisation support, and where would line be drawn? If it supports people like me (most SEOs I think), then you'd lose the self-styled ethicals.

Even in this thread, I'm sure we would disagree what it is about TP's work that is "wrong". I say it's that they don't inform the clients of the risks they will take on their behalf, and that's all. Others will say that it's the methods themselves.

Apart from that, people have a bad image of SEMPO, so I don't think an organisation is on cards - but I may be wrong.

Mikkel deMib Svendsen

10-03-2004, 07:59 AM

I do seo within the engines' guidelines, but, if staying within the guidelines doesn't succeed, then I am happy to go outside of them, but ONLY with the client's full knowledge, awareness of the risks involved, and agreement.

Not to change the subject of the thread, but try - just for fun - to change the word "SEO" to "PR" and "Engines" to "Newspapers". Isn't that what all good PR firms essentially do? Do they always do exactly what the newspapers tells them? :)

Anyway, I basically agree with you, PhilC. I certainly do not see this thread as any kind of basis for a trade organisation. Also, the whole idea of building a trade organisation on the hate to one specific vendor is just not my cup of tea.

Mel

10-03-2004, 09:05 AM

Dodger

10-03-2004, 10:31 AM

There are two possibilities, either it is TP/1P or it is someone clever enough to get at them in a reverse manner.

TP/1P have made a very good living by preying on the unsuspecting and uninformed, and by marketing their services ten times as hard as anyone else. They may be unscrupulous but they are not dumb.

I find it kind of hard to swallow that a company as good at marketing themelves as 1P are, would be dumb enough to publish these childish sites.

Exactly. This is one of the points I was trying to make earlier and you make some valid arguments (as well as Aaron) to support this hyphothesis. It is someone else other than TP. Too many things did not add up and still aren't. Anyone jumping to that conclusion (I did at the very beginning) is doing so without all the facts.

On the "or" part: "it is someone clever enough to get at them in a reverse manner". This is a possibility that kind of makes sense, but there has to be more to it than that. We need to ask the questions, what is there to gain from it and who is (are) the beneficiary(s)? I don't think we would want to limit this to just a single individual, there could be more than one involved.

TP was picked because of their already well publicized scumminess and it would garner a lot of attention quickly -- this was their intent all along, IMO. I do not think they were used to get back at them in a reverse manner. They have been under the microscope and will be for a long time, kind of like a fart that follows you around in the supermarket -- you cannot get away from it. :o

fathom

10-03-2004, 10:38 AM

They have been under the microscope and will be for a long time, kind of like a fart that follows you around in the supermarket -- you cannot get away from it. :o

So you're saying, pretend to ignore the smell" and let someone else say "p-u"! :D

Dodger

10-03-2004, 10:47 AM

So you're saying, pretend to ignore the smell" and let someone else say "p-u"! :D

Actually, I am trying to corner the market on clothespins (http://lay-c.com/log/archives2/images/080703/DSCN3064_stink.jpg). :eek:

PhilC

10-03-2004, 03:51 PM

I've been thinking a bit about the idea of it being someone who is out to attack people and lay the blame at TP's door, and I don't see the point.

People may want to set up fake forums to attack other people, but what's the point of faking the responibility for it? Nobody knows who the individuals are, so why try to lay the blame off on someone else in a way that benefits the 'someone else'? Why not just stick to attacking people? It would amount to the same thing - nobody knowing who the individuals are. I don't see any point in adding the fake responsibility.

seobook

10-03-2004, 03:56 PM

Dodger

10-03-2004, 04:14 PM

...plus using Traffic Power as the fall-guy gets quicker noteriety, wider exposure and maximum impact. Makes very logical sense to me.

This is the same type of logic that virus writers use.

In fact, I am thinking that this is the work of some pathetic individual with nothing better to do with his time. Probably some slimeball kid sitting in his bedroom on a Friday or Saturday night and no social life.

PhilC

10-03-2004, 04:23 PM

seobook

10-03-2004, 04:25 PM

Flying under the radar - yes, but the exposure is so negative that it would be no good. It will be interesting to see if the IBLs build up.

Of course the whole thing could just be somebody's sense of humour, but I'm still backing TP ;)
People could use the idea to get exposure on a different front. For example, make shoddy sites and then be the self promotional white knight that saves the world from them.

Nick W

10-03-2004, 04:28 PM

>>self promotional white knight

and the seo community has more than it's share of those LoL!

Nick

rustybrick

10-03-2004, 04:35 PM

Just signs that the industry is maturing. Hosting companies do the same, all the time. Companies often open up new brands after tainting old brands.

Sell X under Brand A
Sell Y under Brand B

Brand C gets hit, start Brand D.

:(

WilliamC

10-03-2004, 04:35 PM

At this point, everyone is only guessing. There are 3 people/companies that can find out at this time. Jill, Aaron, and TP themselves. Any one of you three could get an attorney and follow the cash. That is really the only way we are going to know the truth for sure.

bethabernathy

10-03-2004, 04:45 PM

Can't you just call Larry Weinstein, the host gave me his name as the attorney for the owner of seo-forum.net.

Dodger

10-03-2004, 05:49 PM

Can't you just call Larry Weinstein, the host gave me his name as the attorney for the owner of seo-forum.net.

Would this be that Larry Weinstein (http://www.proskauer.com/lawyers_at_proskauer/atty_data/5161)?

[Edit: Wrong Weinstein -- see Beth's post below]

bethabernathy

10-03-2004, 06:02 PM

The host talked with the owner of the site on Friday and he referred him to his lawyer, Larry Weinstein. The host is ENTITYHOSTING.COM at 1-858-605-4580, ask for Patrick. He is quite nice. Larry Weinstein is at:

http://www.google.com/search?sa=X&oi=fwp&pb=f&q=702-383-3330

Jill Whalen

10-03-2004, 06:26 PM

Thanks, Beth, I'll forward that info to my attorney.

As to this post from Mikkel:
On the right to free speach - even if what is said is not true, slamming or narrow minded.

Free speech doesn't include making up pretend clients of a company and giving false anti-testimonials from those made up clients.

WilliamC

10-03-2004, 06:40 PM

Free speech doesn't include making up pretend clients of a company and giving false anti-testimonials from those made up clients.

Well said. And extremely true.

Mikkel deMib Svendsen

10-03-2004, 06:55 PM

I agree with you Jill. My comments was more about the effects of the kind of marketing warfare they are engaging in. So far they are leading the combat even though none of us like what they are doing. In fact, I think thats exactly part of the plan.

Off course I could be all wrong. It's all speculations ...

WilliamC

10-03-2004, 06:57 PM

seobook

10-03-2004, 07:53 PM

With all the talk about TP owning these forums, all of a sudden a much larger list of attackees as well as "good companies" have been added. Several of the ones in this list have good comments. My guess would be that they are trying to divert attention from everyone knowing TP owns them.
or that a ton of people have mentioned traffic power. this is rather transparent IMHO.

I did not see anything with these first half dozen off the top of my head:
? Webpromotionguru.com
ï¿½ Beyondroi.com
ï¿½ Keywordranking.com
ï¿½ Submitexpress.com
ï¿½ Top10-ranking.com
ï¿½ Trafficlogic.com
but look at all the connections to Traffic Power / 1P

> 1p.com - new name for traffic power
> Traffic-power.com - traffic power's site

>Freemoneyservices.com - another name for Ihelpyou
>Ihelpyouservices.com - ran a thread about traffic power here:
http://www.ihelpyouservices.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=8731&perpage=10&pagenumber=1

>Search-marketing.info - my site
> Seobook.com - I posted about traffic power here:
http://www.seobook.com/archives/000314.shtml
and traffic power's new 1P name here:
http://www.seobook.com/archives/000514.shtml

> Mark Carey - guy who wrote article about Traffic Power here:
http://www.markcarey.com/googleguy-says/archives/discuss-google-bans-traffic-power-and-its-clients.html

> webpronews / webproworld - published many articles about traffic power like:
http://www.webpronews.com/insiderreports/searchinsider/wpn-49-20040709TrafficPowerHighRankingsorSEONightmare.htm l
http://www.webpronews.com/insiderreports/searchinsider/wpn-49-20040723TrafficPower.html

Mark Carey also wrote this article at webpronews about Traffic Power
http://www.webpronews.com/ebusiness/seo/wpn-4-20040630GoogleBansSEOFirmanditsClients.html

>Experts-exchange.com has traffic power threads:
http://www.experts-exchange.com/Web/Online_Marketing/Q_20380143.html
http://www.experts-exchange.com/Web/Online_Marketing/Q_20890106.html

>Highrankings.com traffic power thread at:
http://www.highrankings.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=7421&st=0&#entry77304

> Pageoneresults.com / Seoconsultants.com traffic power pages:
http://www.seoconsultants.com/traffic-power/
on traffic power's new 1P name
http://www.seoconsultants.com/traffic-power/1p/

>www.hanapinmarketing.com
runs a google adwords ad on traffic power

>JimWorld has one of the more popular traffic power threads
http://www.jimworld.com/apps/webmaster.forums/action::thread/forum::seo-101/thread::4094/start::1/

>ozzu made a post about traffic power
http://www.ozzu.com/ftopic27477.html

>Front Page Webmaster has a thread on traffic power
http://www.frontpagewebmaster.com/m_216534/tm.htm

>Seo-guy.com has a few threads about traffic power
http://www.seo-guy.com/forum/showthread.php?p=17297#post17297
http://www.seo-guy.com/forum/archive/index.php/t-1183.html
etc.

the first post of that first thread about traffic power was by
>Mi-websolutions.com

>Geeksonsteroids.com has a thread about traffic power
http://www.geeksonsteroids.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=5122

>Affiliategurus.com talks about traffic power in their newsletter
http://www.affiliategurus.com/newsletter66.html

>Seoresource.net talks about traffic power in their newsletter
http://www.seoresource.net/newsletter-sept2004B.htm

>Rankforsales.com posted about traffic power in his blog and newsletter
http://www.rankforsales.com/newsletter-08-2004/aug-28-2004-p17.html

bethabernathy

10-03-2004, 08:35 PM

Maybe file a police report related to the defamation, slander with the local police department where the host is related. Then (just guessing) that goes to the lawyer or the prosecutor's office who then gets a court order that forces the host to release the name of the owner of the site. I am not sure, but it might work like that.

Dodger

10-03-2004, 08:54 PM

Since there are no known live links to these sites (3 of them so far), there is therefore no cached pages or archiving. I suggest that somebody downloads those sites or your particular area of concern, possibly with your attorney to witness it. Will be kind of hard to bring up charges (if that is the route you take) without some type of documentation.

If several of us do download copies right now, I think that would hold up in court if we attested to the content that was there in case they dump these sites overnight.

Dang, isn't there some information around anywhere on how to handle this kind of crap? I remember coming across something somewhere, but cannot locate it now.

bethabernathy

10-03-2004, 09:06 PM

The host gets the court order to release the name of the web site owner. The order is based on the police report/investigation, ordering the host to release the name of the website owner as they obstructing of justice in the investigation???????????????????????????

seobook

10-03-2004, 09:15 PM

Dodger

10-03-2004, 09:23 PM

seo-forum has inbound links. Look at this page seo-forum .php/links.php.

Checked out the first site on the list eliasg.com/links/links3.html
The second is execfocus.net/links/links4.html
Only a matter of time before it gets spidered.

They seem to be LinkPartner sites -- here is something to go on. You could contact these site owners and see if they have an email address to go on. I also noticed that Anthony Parsons is listed at LinkPartners also -- he may have had a request come in from these guys.

Elisabeth

10-03-2004, 09:40 PM

trafficlogic is probably on that list because of the common brand confusion between the two companies - I know that TL is always trying to make sure that people know they are NOT the same as Traffic Power.

Mel

10-03-2004, 09:42 PM

Dodger

10-03-2004, 09:45 PM

Hmmm..... the fact that the attorney representing the owners of the sites is located in Las Vegas (as is TP and 1P) together with the fact that there was seeminly a ready listing for the attorney with the hosting company is making me rethink my ideas about ownership. How many of you provide your hosting company with your attorney's contacts as a matter of course?

It could be a fake contact supplied by site owners. Also, I am not sure how Beth got that name -- whether from the initial phone call to the Host or whether the Host called back after talking to the owner.

WilliamC

10-03-2004, 10:50 PM

Since there are no known live links to these sites (3 of them so far), there is therefore no cached pages or archiving.

They are now aquiring links if you look. And look at the anchors as well while you are at it. More slander.

I suggest that somebody downloads those sites or your particular area of concern, possibly with your attorney to witness it. Will be kind of hard to bring up charges (if that is the route you take) without some type of documentation.

If several of us do download copies right now, I think that would hold up in court if we attested to the content that was there in case they dump these sites overnight.

This is very true and should be listened to. If everyone has the same threads saved libeling people and each person is willing to file affadavits that they downloaded and saved their own copies, (screenshots and video are actually better for this), it can be used in court.

bethabernathy

10-03-2004, 11:12 PM

I called the hosting company on Friday. We had a nice but direct call (and a couple very direct emails afterwards). The host said they would get back to me and followed up on their own with the client/owner because, they wanted to avoid "legalities." The host called the client/owner and from what I can see, the owner was not in and perhaps his wife answered the phone and said to call back after the owner got home from work. The host called back later and the owner and said he should get in touch with his lawyer and provided his lawyers name. The host, then tryed (w/o success) to contact the lawyer. The lawyer did call the host back, but by the time the host returned the call, the lawyer was gone until next Wed. The lawyers legal assistant is in the office Monday.

WilliamC

10-03-2004, 11:18 PM

Sounds more like "buying time".

Dodger

10-04-2004, 04:04 AM

This is very true and should be listened to. If everyone has the same threads saved libeling people and each person is willing to file affadavits that they downloaded and saved their own copies, (screenshots and video are actually better for this), it can be used in court.

William, do you have any information or a link to anything on how to handle this legally? As far as what all is really needed, details, etc.

WilliamC

10-04-2004, 06:50 AM

I dont think anything will be needed Ronnie. In case you hadn't noticed, a major cleanup of those sites appears to be taking place. The googlebombs on jill and aaron suck tho.

as far as what is needed legally, I suggest that those affected ask their own lawyers about what exactly is the best way to go about it. I do know images (screencaps) and video are admissable with either the person in court or a notarized affadavit in some courts, you could almost call that a golden nugget of info.

WilliamC

10-04-2004, 07:09 AM

Hmmm this is interesting..

Found at http://www.bop.gov goto Inmate Locator and type in the registration number: 32064-048

If it is the same guy as owns TP, then he apparently has defrauded people before this, who knows tho if it is the same guy :)

The above is publicly accessable data and should not be taken as fact of anything except my own opinion that it may be the same person.

Chris Boggs

10-04-2004, 08:41 AM

this topic certainly earns my vote of five stars...

Anyhoo...I find it interesting that the "publicly accessible data" above leads to a name that does sound familiar. However, perhaps I was not searching correctly, how do you know he was in for fraud and not something else? I am curious...

WilliamC

10-04-2004, 08:45 AM

start at the las vegas review and keep going

mugshot

10-04-2004, 09:58 AM

Well someone is getting paid at least...:)

PhilC

10-04-2004, 01:39 PM

All the forums have got IBLs, and they are all being spidered by Google. They don't need links from outsiders to get them up the rankings.

Janeth

10-04-2004, 01:43 PM

Well my site got thrown into the list on the fake forums. I even got a couple of fake post on one of the forums. But what great company I seem to be in. lol

I guess I will just sit back and watch. If all the phone calls and attorneys can´t get them to remove the site I doubt one more will be able to do anything.

Most people that post on forums seem to post on lots of forums. I do not think they will be able to do any real harm as most people already know about them.

I, Brian

10-04-2004, 02:03 PM

Well my site got thrown into the list on the fake forums. I even got a couple of fake post on one of the forums. But what great company I seem to be in. lol It's quite an honour list, really. Well done! :)

I guess I will just sit back and watch. If all the phone calls and attorneys can´t get them to remove the site I doubt one more will be able to do anything. I would doubt after such a degree of what appears to be wholesale libel, that it is merely the removal of the site that attorney's are involved with.

And Free Speech or not, people are legally accountable for any unfounded accusations they make in public.

Overall, it is quite an incredible act of irresponsibility to put those forums up in the first place, no matter who is actually behind it all.

Janeth

10-04-2004, 02:23 PM

Overall, it is quite an incredible act of irresponsibility to put those forums up in the first place, no matter who is actually behind it all.

Hi Brain,

I agree and with all the moves they could have made I have a hard time beliveing this was the one they made. They are suppose to be a big company but are acting more like kids on the playground.

WilliamC

10-04-2004, 02:27 PM

rustybrick

10-04-2004, 02:44 PM

This is almost comical. Sorry to say so.

I, Brian

10-04-2004, 03:35 PM

Hey Brian, I notice that TP copied a thread of yours from phils board. web-advertising-info.com/discuss/viewtopic.php?t=22

the entire first post is stolen from your post in the thread they linked to in that thread.
Hm...now that is disappointing. I figure web-advertising-info.com aren't going to allow Jill to post the personal apology I sent her, for raising that issue in the first place.

Perhaps I should also chase up the forums for copyright violation? :D

Hi Brain,

I think it must be due to the moon, or something, but recently a lot of people have started addressing me as "brain" rather than "brian". Perhaps I should walk around stiffly, cheerfully exclaiming, "Gee, Mr Tracy..." :D

Nice to see you around again Janeth. Did you receive my e-mail the other day, btw?

KegWorks Rich

10-04-2004, 05:08 PM

You guessed it, someone from 1P!

They started giving this longwinded speach to me about the importance of SEO. No kidding? the higher up you are on a result page the more traffic you get? WOW, revolutionary thinking! Online as an industry is growing? Well now I have to do something about my site.

I asked the guy what their URL was and he told me, I went to it as he was talking to me, saw the Las Vegas address and was immediately suspicious. I told him to forward me a email describing what they did and give me a call back tomorrow.

He told me that the person who started the company about 4 1/2 years ago used to work at Alta Vista and then spun off to start this company.

So I plan to string him along, you guys have any questions you would like me to ask?

Dodger

10-04-2004, 05:23 PM

So I plan to string him along, you guys have any questions you would like me to ask?

Yeah, ask them why the 1 in 1P looks like a faded T. :eek:

Janeth

10-04-2004, 05:42 PM

Tell him you ran across that forum and ask if they own it. :D

Jill Whalen

10-04-2004, 05:54 PM

Ask them if they got any sites banned today.

rustybrick

10-04-2004, 05:57 PM

Tell them Jill and Aaron sends regards.

I, Brian

10-04-2004, 06:05 PM

Tell them not to do a search for public discussions on the issue!!

WilliamC

10-04-2004, 06:33 PM

Yeh, ask him if Matthew has fled the country.

seobook

10-04-2004, 06:38 PM

I would say that you found some bogus threads from competitors on seo forums that were bashing them and then ask:

1.) why the competitors are lying about them
2.) if they had any positive feedback posted on any of THEIR sites.

based on their phone call to me obviously their services suck, but string them along. try to get them to admit they own those forums.

SEO Jeff

10-04-2004, 07:12 PM

Sorry to bring up an older post but I just joined here and have some comments about this list. I'm sure most of you know who I am - wyrickj from SEO Guy forums and SEO Chat forums.

That Mi-websolutions.com site is my site and Aaron kinda got me going on why they have my site listed. I have wrote articles on how they get there clients sites banned and posted true info that they may not have liked over at SEO Chat forums and SEO Guy forums. So that maybe the reason. I really want to bring down these scam forums badly.

With all the talk about TP owning these forums, all of a sudden a much larger list of attackees as well as "good companies" have been added. Several of the ones in this list have good comments. My guess would be that they are trying to divert attention from everyone knowing TP owns them.

» 1p.com
» Affiliategurus.com
» Beyondroi.com
» Experts-exchange.com
» Freemoneyservices.com
» Frontpagewebmaster.com
» Geeksonsteroids.com
» Hanapinmarketing.com
» Highrankings.com
» Ihelpyouservices.com
» Jimworld.com
» Keywordranking.com
» Markcarey.com
» Mi-websolutions.com
» Ozzu.com
» Pageoneresults.com
» Rankforsales.com
» Search-marketing.info
» Seobook.com
» Seoconsultants.com
» Seo-guy.com
» Seoresource.net
» Submitexpress.com
» Top10-ranking.com
» Trafficlogic.com
» Traffic-power.com
» Webpromotionguru.com
» Webpronews.com
» Webproworld.com

WilliamC

10-05-2004, 06:39 AM

Nick W

10-05-2004, 06:51 AM

And if they are smart enough to remove it quickly, here's a screamshot ;-)

http://www.stylesheet.org/seotalk.jpg

Nick

Janeth

10-05-2004, 09:43 AM

You just can´t get any better then that

Chris Boggs

10-05-2004, 09:43 AM

Has anyone considered calling them to see if they would "form a partnership" with them to appear favorably within their chat? I am curious if they would do this since they seems to have "all the bases covered" when it comes to current recommendations. They purport to have the right answer for every aspect of SEO and SEM it would seem, along with having diligently listed "the bad guys."

It would be neat if someone had the time to try and contact them in the guise of a "potential partner."

Of course they are probably reading this...which is OK because then they will have no choice but to spend more time trying to figure out who is legit and who is Sempo-Tahoe ;)

Chris Boggs

10-05-2004, 09:45 AM

just have one of the Sempo-Tahoe reps "bark." Wouldn't that be awesome if they listed it :D

strategicrankings

10-05-2004, 11:12 AM

Is it a warning from them for having listed some other reputable seo forums in their faked forum list without any post yet?

Maybe they are waiting for these reputable forums to warn about their suspicious practice before they retaliate.

It seems like they listed the other reputable seo forums just to intimidate.

We just have to wait n see.

smfg

10-05-2004, 12:00 PM

I cannot believe that I just got a call from a company representative of 1p.com. These idiots don't even know enough to leave the people lives that they have already messed up alone.

Traffic Power has made my last 3+ months a living hell.

When I first got banned they lied to me then they lied again and finally they lied some more.

My initial experience when I first got banned can be viewed here
http://answers.google.com/answers/threadview?id=365207

3+ months later I am not even close to having the search engine positioning I had pre-TP.

These people are the scum of the search engine community.

I am surprised that no one has started a class action lawsuit against these vermin!

Melissa Springer

fathom

10-05-2004, 12:27 PM

I provide you info at SEOChat - since you add the identical post there! ;)

Dodger

10-05-2004, 01:34 PM

If you all look quickly enugh before they have a chance to remove it, you can see that the news feed they have on the seo-talk.net website, in the right column, has an article in the #1 spot that details their scam sites. :D

Kewl!

They were using the Search Engine Guide (http://www.searchengineguide.com/) feed. Must have seen your post William, they switched over to the Search Engine Journal (http://www.searchenginejournal.com/) feed.

Any way of getting them to post a blurb with the title SEO-Talk Forum Sucks in the title? :D

seobook

10-05-2004, 01:37 PM

Kewl!

They were using the Search Engine Guide (http://www.searchengineguide.com/) feed. Must have seen your post William, they switched over to the Search Engine Journal (http://www.searchenginejournal.com/) feed.

Any way of getting them to post a blurb with the title SEO-Talk Forum Sucks in the title? :D
I occassionally post at the Search Engine Journal. perhaps I will ask Loren if it is ok :)

it is really sad that they are so bad that they are forced to rotate news feeds ...

PhilC

10-05-2004, 01:38 PM

Yep - it's gone. Perhaps if I offer the article to Search Engine Journal we might get it there again :)

seobook

10-05-2004, 01:39 PM

Yep - it's gone. Perhaps if I offer the article to Search Engine Journal we might get it there again :)
if you PM me the URL in question I can send it to Loren?

lorenbaker

10-05-2004, 02:04 PM

Please send me the article Aaron, if it's worthy I'll post it (or give you the ok to do so) and then maybe they'll get the idea.

Funny thing about RSS is anyone can pick you up. I do doubt that they are a bandwidth drain for me though :)

Saw this SEW post in my referrals today! I do get a chance between coffee breaks to check up on the forums here and there and must say that SEW forums is like the Pro-Bowl of SEO forums, with SEW being the Honolulu of SE oriented sites.

Best,
Loren

WilliamC

10-05-2004, 02:06 PM

if you PM me the URL in question I can send it to Loren?

the url to the article he had in search engine guide was webworkshop.net/traffic-power.html

seobook

10-05-2004, 02:09 PM

Please send me the article Aaron, if it's worthy I'll post it (or give you the ok to do so) and then maybe they'll get the idea.
PM sent (and link was in the thread too now)

welcome to the forums Loren :)

WilliamC

10-06-2004, 02:50 AM

Well this topic sure died fast :P

fathom

10-06-2004, 03:16 AM

seobook

10-06-2004, 11:03 AM

Interesting enough - if this is TP... they are adding to their own nightmare. Focusing more, and more public and human resources on the competition means less and less focus on existing clients... that's worse for business as your clientele because more and more "once only".... and a harder sell.

I think they practice the hard sell stuff enough that I think they think it is likely the only thing they need to be any good at.

Dodger

10-06-2004, 10:16 PM

Interesting enough - if this is TP... they are adding to their own nightmare. Focusing more, and more public and human resources on the competition means less and less focus on existing clients... that's worse for business as your clientele because more and more "once only".... and a harder sell.

Another good reason to show that it is not Traffic Power behind it at all.

Whoever dreamed these forums up, are using TP as a scapegoat. There is another motive behind them.

seobook

10-06-2004, 10:18 PM

Another good reason to show that it is not Traffic Power behind it at all.

Whoever dreamed these forums up, are using TP as a scapegoat. There is another motive behind them.
I am not sure if you have been cold called by traffic power, but I have. If it were not traffic power do you think they would sit and say nothing about it? I would not put all my chips on the table yet Dodger. I may have been wrong in assuming it was them, but I am fairly certain I was not.

time shall show the truth, but I am not changing my bet just yet.

Dodger

10-06-2004, 10:26 PM

I am not sure if you have been cold called by traffic power, but I have. If it were not traffic power do you think they would sit and say nothing about it? I would not put all my chips on the table yet Dodger. I may have been wrong in assuming it was them, but I am fairly certain I was not.

time shall show the truth, but I am not changing my bet just yet.

I am only betting 75% of my pot on it Aaron. :D

As for TP not saying anything about it ... they should have said something at least denouncing the forums, given the talk about it already in this forum and elsewhere. This would be the natural thing to do, I would think.

But how do they go about doing that exactly? They could come into this forum and say so publicly -- but if you were them, would you do it? They would get torn to shreds baby...hehehe.

They are damned if they do, and damned if they don't, eh?

seobook

10-06-2004, 10:34 PM

I am only betting 75% of my pot on it Aaron. :D

As for TP not saying anything about it ... they should have said something at least denouncing the forums, given the talk about it already in this forum and elsewhere. This would be the natural thing to do, I would think.

But how do they go about doing that exactly? They could come into this forum and say so publicly -- but if you were them, would you do it? They would get torn to shreds baby...hehehe.

They are damned if they do, and damned if they don't, eh?
The traffic power that cold called me is not affraid to chat back and forth with people. the traffic power that cold called me is not affraid to voice their opinions. the guy who refered to traffic power as us and signed my blog linking it into the traffic power site from this page:
http://www.seobook.com/archives/000514.shtml
is not affraid of confrontation.

the exact verbiage used was
"It's funny how scared of us you are. Anybody who does research on a company by reading forums is an idiot, and we don't want their business. By the way, SEO Consultants, what's your D&B rating?
Frank" <--- Frank linked into the traffic power site and I delinked it to avoid potential spam penalties.

and that was before the fake forums came out. recently he has been posting under the name frank, but has stated that he is just a referer, but I don't buy it.

WilliamC

10-06-2004, 11:10 PM

I hate to admit this, I really do. But over the past few days some information has come my way, and I have to now agree with Ronnie the Dodger. I no longer think it was TP.

Jill Whalen

10-06-2004, 11:18 PM

Do tell, William. (PM or email me if you don't want to make it public.)

seobook

10-06-2004, 11:45 PM

some information has come my way
same here (or maybe not). but that phrase means nothing if it is left empty like that.

I got a secret is kinda a bogus game IMHO

dstew

10-07-2004, 10:54 AM

Do we really need secret decoder rings to play now? I don't think so. It really doesn't matter to me either way. My thoughts are, if it is them, they are scum. If it isn't them, they are stil scum for what they've done to their clients, and therefore the industry.

If it isn't them, why would they say anything? They are getting the publicity that they would've if they had created the sites. Remember, any publicity is good publicity in most cases. I think at some point, it's better to simply state how you feel; about something and leave it at that. Otherwise, we're feeding their ego. :mad:

PhilC

10-07-2004, 11:03 AM

Bad publicity is often good publicity, but not in cases like this. When people's websites matter to them, they are not going to trust a company that has a lot of bad publicity. Here's an excerpt from an seo enquiry I received today:-

... and actually i was thinking about signing up with 1p.com but after reading your article i am thinking twice about it.
Bad publicity does work.

WilliamC

10-07-2004, 11:56 AM

It really doesn't matter to me either way. My thoughts are, if it is them, they are scum. If it isn't them, they are stil scum for what they've done to their clients, and therefore the industry.

Agreed 100%. I am not changing my opinion of traffic power in the least. I merely said that my opinion has changed about those forums themselves. Will I share what info I got that made me change my mind? No, I will not. So, take it as my opinion only that has changed and leave it at that.

Jill Whalen

10-07-2004, 12:15 PM

Who are you protecting, William?

seobook

10-07-2004, 12:20 PM

Who are you protecting, William?
I think certain invididuals are heavily interested in using this situation to raise thier own image. The specifics don't matter so long as we keep speculating.

WilliamC

10-07-2004, 12:22 PM

Who are you protecting, William?

A friend who specifically asked me not to bring him into this.

WilliamC

10-07-2004, 12:23 PM

I think certain invididuals are heavily interested in using this situation to raise thier own image. The specifics don't matter so long as we keep speculating.

I agree with your statement 100%. In fact there is one of us who is setting themselves up as the white knight in shining armour so they can come out smelling like a rose.

seobook

10-07-2004, 12:28 PM

I agree with your statement 100%. In fact there is one of us who is setting themselves up as the white knight in shining armour.
I pointed out what I found and my opinion on the subject. I was not participating in the "I got a secret" game.

I certainly am no white knight, I found 1 of the 4 forums. Other people found the other 3 (and some of them were found within hours of when I found that first one). Also Beth and various other people such as NFFC have been extremely helpful thusfar. At this point interjecting further speculation or playing I got a secret is a bit self serving IMHO.

WilliamC

10-07-2004, 12:35 PM

I pointed out what I found and my opinion on the subject. I was not participating in the "I got a secret" game.

I certainly am no white knight, I found 1 of the 4 forums. Other people found the other 3 (and some of them were found within hours of when I found that first one). Also Beth and various other people such as NFFC have been extremely helpful thusfar. At this point interjecting further speculation or playing I got a secret is a bit self serving IMHO.

I as definately not speaking of you mate.

And nobody is playing "I got a secret" at all. I merely said my opinion has changed based on info I got. You can take it or leave it, I really do not care one way or the other. My opinion does not need to be explained, justified, or proven to you or anyone else.

Jill Whalen

10-07-2004, 01:03 PM

bethabernathy

10-07-2004, 01:10 PM

Jill did you see this:

http://www.seobook.com/archives/000514.shtml

??

fathom

10-07-2004, 01:14 PM

Personally, I could care less who it is. I just need to know who to sue.

So I guess I'll just keep digging. If anyone has any info that they can actually share, that can be proved as real, and stand up in court, please pm or email it to me.

Thanks!

I assume you are joking Jill. You would need to prove a negative impact on your business which I bet top dollar that this is merely a bruise ego thing.

The bulk of peers know these exist and comments are NOT past, existing, or potential clients thus changes nothing, and the bulk of past, existing, or potential clients don't... so same thing.

Jill Whalen

10-07-2004, 01:15 PM

Beth, what are you referring to that they changed their name to 1p? If so, yes, that's somewhat "old" news (in Internet time at least!).

Jill Whalen

10-07-2004, 01:18 PM

I assume you are joking Jill. You would need to prove a negative impact on your business which I bet top dollar that this is merely a bruise ego thing.

The bulk of peers know these exist and comments are NOT past, existing, or potential clients thus changes nothing, and the bulk of past, existing, or potential clients don't... so same thing.

Peers aren't my potential clients, fathom.

It would be pretty easy to prove damages. And the great thing about all this is that I would be awarded triple damages as well as attorney's fees.

Just have to know who to serve the law suit to and we're ready to go.

WilliamC

10-07-2004, 01:24 PM

Beth, what are you referring to that they changed their name to 1p? If so, yes, that's somewhat "old" news (in Internet time at least!).

I think she meant the ongoing discussion at the bottom of the page. Where TP accuses aaron of being edward.

seobook

10-07-2004, 01:28 PM

I think she meant the ongoing discussion at the bottom of the page. Where TP accuses aaron of being edward.

Frankie,NFFC, Beth, NickW...all made amazing contributions down there. that is the single funniest web page I have even been a part of making.

bethabernathy

10-07-2004, 01:37 PM

I know of the name to change to 1P. I called La Mesa police dept. where the host is located. This can only be pursued on a civil level. So, this is what you may be able to do: sue the domain name and have the complaint served onto the owner's lawyer i.e. Larry Weinstein.

Can you ask your lawyer about this Jill??? -Beth

PhilC

10-07-2004, 02:02 PM

.... and have the complaint served onto the owner's lawyer i.e. Larry Weinstein.

Can you ask your lawyer about this Jill??? -Beth
Larry Weinstein? You're still assuming that TP are responsible for the fake forums.

bethabernathy

10-07-2004, 02:05 PM

PhilC

10-07-2004, 02:11 PM

Sorry, my mistake - bad memory. I thought you were saying that Larry Weinstein is TP's lawyer.

fathom

10-07-2004, 03:17 PM

Peers aren't my potential clients, fathom.

It would be pretty easy to prove damages. And the great thing about all this is that I would be awarded triple damages as well as attorney's fees.

Just have to know who to serve the law suit to and we're ready to go.

Wasn't implying that peers are potential clients - merely suggesting that "we" are knowledgeable about the situation - and the bulk of potential clients are not.

I'll add the forum itself (owner) regardless are how we externally view the current posters, the owners are not the posters. The owner merely added the forum for public comments.

Tying the forum to a specific owner is easy - tying comments to an business entity is a bit more difficult. If ISP records head back to corporate offices - that only makes half a case... proving these actions are endorsed by the management of any entity - well you're in pretty grey areas now... and Joe Who from Smallville, Texas that makes affiliate commission from someone else -- means a buck .95 in damages (unless they have personal liability insurance).

Jill Whalen

10-07-2004, 04:08 PM

There are all sorts of legal avenues for pursuing this, but no sense tipping my hand on public forums! ;)

fathom

10-07-2004, 05:01 PM

There are all sorts of legal avenues for pursuing this, but no sense tipping my hand on public forums! ;)

Agree there... I get more clients from a guy that screwed me, and because I leave his testimonial (and toll free number) on my site... people call. His incredible story of how unethical, distrustful, and general discrediting is so hard to believe - I get the last word.

... and forward them a growing dialogue of BS and in his own communiqués.

I'm quite happy to let him spend his toll free minutes whatever way he wishes! ;)

Jill Whalen

10-08-2004, 01:08 AM

:D

Well, there is certainly something to be said about crazy people dissing you... :eek:

Dodger

10-08-2004, 01:57 AM

Frankie,NFFC, Beth, NickW...all made amazing contributions down there. that is the single funniest web page I have even been a part of making.

I don't know. I think the funniest thing I heard that was connected to you was your remark on the SEO Radio Show when you said, "My goals are to lose 20 pounds and rank number one for weight loss in two months. Both are hard to do!". I about spewed milk all over my monitor when I heard it. :D

Dodger

10-08-2004, 02:01 AM

That is not what I am assuming. I contacted the hosting company and they gave me the name and number of the website's lawyer, Larry Weinstein. If Larry Weinstein is also TP's lawyer, well then that is quite interesting. Do you have more on this PhilC?

Larry Weinstein came for the comments area in Aaron's blog. I think Frankie posted it. You may want to ask him.

I tried finding information on whether or not he is their actual lawyer, but could not find any. The blog entry is the only place that I have found so far.

seobook

10-08-2004, 02:03 AM

I don't know. I think the funniest thing I heard that was connected to you was your remark on the SEO Radio Show when you said, "My goals are to lose 20 pounds and rank number one for weight loss in two months. Both are hard to do!". I about spewed milk all over my monitor when I heard it. :D
<padded room>
I can lose weight really fast...and have lost some, but not as much as I would like. Google's algorithm takes more investment in time or money than I have been willing to put in so far for that particular term. plus I do not deserve to rank well for it until I am spending more time at the gym. (went a few times this week so far). I think I am supposed to be on the radio again tommorrow. :eek: I will not talk about weight or peanut butter though (if I can help it) </padded room>

<added>Beth was the one who spoke of Larry on my blog Dodger</added>

Dodger

10-08-2004, 02:15 AM

I just went back and looked. Yep, wasn't Frankie -- but another name altogether. So we are back to who Larry Weinstein is in actuality then?

PhilC

10-08-2004, 02:49 AM

I haven't gone back through the thread, but wasn't the name mentioned here a few pages ago?

Dodger

10-08-2004, 04:31 AM

Yes, by Beth. That is the name she got from one of the hosting companies over the phone.

There is also a sammyb who mentioned it at Aaron's blog. According to Aaron (by what he just said) this was Beth who made that blog entry. At least that is what I think he just said (sammyb and beth are the same person). I did not make the connection until just now.

So, I am wondering who this guy really is. All we know is that he is a lawyer in Las Vegas. There is also another Larry Weinstein who is an attorney in New York too. But this is not the same Weinstein. I think (not sure) that Beth has made contact with a clerk or something like that with a Las Vegas office.

Either way, he is just a lawyer in Las Vegas. There is no evidence that he is a lawyer for TP/1P that I have seen. Unless somebody knows something different.

PhilC

10-08-2004, 06:52 AM

It's not like me to be in agreement with Dodger, but there's more to this than meets the eye, and I've come to the conclusion that TP may not be behind 2 of the forums, and may not even be behind any of them. I'm not yet convinced either way, but my digging has uncovered sufficient doubt that I've changed the wording of my article so that it doesn't actually say that TP is responsible for them.

Chris Boggs

10-08-2004, 08:02 AM

I don't know. I think the funniest thing I heard that was connected to you was your remark on the SEO Radio Show when you said, "My goals are to lose 20 pounds and rank number one for weight loss in two months. Both are hard to do!". I about spewed milk all over my monitor when I heard it. :D

This certainly is a very entertaining topic. Unfortunately I have not participated long enough to understand some of the background/inside jokes/shots to the ribs going on in here :p

I have two questions that I can contribute:

Dodger: please ID the "SEO Radio Show"

Jill how is the number 1 for "weight loss" part of your goal going??

Also, I am curious as to how any particular one of us could be positioning themselves as a white knight in this situation when most of us are already there. Simply knowing that 1P = Traffic Power = History of website de-listings is plenty for all of us to go-on, IMO.

Jill Whalen

10-08-2004, 09:04 AM

Jill how is the number 1 for "weight loss" part of your goal going??

Huh? That was Aaron, not me. (I've never been on a diet in my life! :o )

Chris Boggs

10-08-2004, 09:32 AM

Actually I would not be so rude to ask about someone's diet, I was talking about the ranking achievement for the term "weight loss" :D

Sorry I for some reason thought the quote was attributed to you...

Aaron? (is that Seobook?)

PhilC

10-08-2004, 11:06 AM

LOL!!! You didn't ask Jill about her diet, but I can understand how she read it that way if sh'ed forgotten how it originated - or she might have been pulling your leg ;)

bethabernathy

10-08-2004, 01:35 PM

1st - Where can I buy one of Jill's teeshirts that she is wearing at ihelpyou? That is too funny!!

2nd - The hosting company for seo-forum is ENTITYHOSTING.COM. I called entityhosting.com and said a few things to them related to slander, defamation, subpoenas, police, etc. They contacted their client/seo-forum at what seemed to be a home phone number. Their client/seo-forum told them to deal with his lawyer, Larry Weinstein.

entityhosting.com called me back and said rather than getting the police involved or pursuing lawsuits, I should call seo-forums attorney, Larry Weinstein. entityhosting.com also gave me Larry Weinsteins phone number.
702-383-3330.

3rd - I did a little dialing and found that there is a Frankie that works for 1p in sales in their new Charleston, Nevada office.

4th - My dog is sammyb and he runs a poopular website. He has learned how to type and drive. So I can't really control his internet access and antics. :eek:

dstew

10-08-2004, 03:55 PM

I just had a thought. I wonder what would happen if we all started calling for Larry. He has to bill his hours out, right? I wonder how much time we would rack up by all taking a turn calling Larry, you know, just to chat ;-)

WilliamC

10-08-2004, 04:53 PM

Jill Whalen

10-08-2004, 05:03 PM

LOL!!! You didn't ask Jill about her diet, but I can understand how she read it that way if sh'ed forgotten how it originated - or she might have been pulling your leg ;)

Now, I'm even more confused. I've never optimized a site for weight loss. I don't work on general weight loss sites. Never have.

Something, somewhere, must have gotten really lost in translation!

PhilC

10-08-2004, 05:07 PM

You didn't. It was a comment made by Aaron on a radio show about himself - it's not far back in the thread. Chris made a mistake when he asked you that question.

fathom

10-08-2004, 05:09 PM

Now, I'm even more confused. I've never optimized a site for weight loss. I don't work on general weight loss sites. Never have.

Something, somewhere, must have gotten really lost in translation!

In the true spirit of SEO - no one really knows for sure... "anything to an absolute certainty"! :D :confused: :rolleyes: :eek:

<added>except for Phil!</added>

bethabernathy

10-08-2004, 05:12 PM

I tried to find the radio show earlier. Is it on the web?

Dodger

10-08-2004, 05:32 PM

The SEO Radio Archive list is here http://www.seoradio.com/show-archives/

Aaron's Interview: Blogging and other techniques (http://www.seoradio.com/20040615-blogging-and-other-seo-techniques.html)
Dan Thies Interview: Search Engine Keyword Research (http://www.seoradio.com/20040601-search-engine-keyword-research.html)
Garrett French Interview: Search Engine News (http://www.seoradio.com/20040511-search-engine-news.html)
Barry Schwartz Interview: SEO Forums and Tools (http://www.seoradio.com/20040713-seo-forums-and-tools.html)
John Battelle Interview: The Future of Search (http://www.seoradio.com/20040824-the-future-of-search.html)

Those are just a few of them that are archived.