Is it worth reporting Spam sites to Google

[lifediva]

When we send out press releases via PRweb, we get some decent exposure, but the vast majority of the sites that pick up the release (usually without actually linking to us, thank heavens) are spam, MFA sites. I get google alerts for the press release, and I can't believe that Google actually bothers to index these sites on a regular basis (many of them were indexed within 48 hours of my press release).

I've also gotten really good insight into the types of sites displaying Google content ads in our particular niche (off-topic, I know) and why ROI in the content market is a challenge.

Question is, is it worth reporting these ridiculous spam sites to google? What's the best way to do this.

[phpmaven]

Google has made it clear on several occasions that they use these reports to improve the overall quality of their index, not to go after specific websites with a view to punishing them. The chances of them doing a hand job on a site reported in this way seem remote, although I suppose it does happen.

You would be much better served spending time working on improving the ranking of your own site as opposed to worrying about spam (Sites Positioned Above Mine).

[lifediva]

Thanks, I was just curious if Google bothered with blatant sites done using text generators just to make a buck (course, Google's making a buck, too). I guess there are so many, they wouldn't have time to follow up.

I hadn't seen that definition of SPAM before - Sites Positioned Above Mine - gave me a laugh

[bestimtools]

Just in case you have much free time or someone p*ssed you off greatly.

[JPRuss]

If I were an advertiser on the MFA site, and I was paying a lot of $ for low quality clicks and I would likely report it, or remove myself from advertising on that site.

But if I waw just writing a press release to get exposure. I would probably not report it, they say any publicity is good publicity.

[natasha499]

I am thinking of using press releases more... It is an easy way to get articles written about your website in addition usually the article will include a link to your site.

[beu]

Originally Posted by lifediva

When we send out press releases via PRweb, we get some decent exposure, but the vast majority of the sites that pick up the release (usually without actually linking to us, thank heavens) are spam, MFA sites. I get google alerts for the press release, and I can't believe that Google actually bothers to index these sites on a regular basis (many of them were indexed within 48 hours of my press release).

I've also gotten really good insight into the types of sites displaying Google content ads in our particular niche (off-topic, I know) and why ROI in the content market is a challenge.

Question is, is it worth reporting these ridiculous spam sites to google? What's the best way to do this.

Yes! One tip, report spam via Google Webmaster Tools while you are logged in to your account.