Michael Roebuck's Blog

Last week I posted a quick comment about a recent rash of Google Phishing Emails I have been receiving. I stated that everyone at some time or another has probably received a fake PayPal or Credit Card email stating to log into your account immediately or else it will be shut down or something like that. These are from the bad people who want your login information so they can buy stuff with your money. I was a bit confused why someone would want access to your Google Adwords account because anything you link to could be easily tracked down. One of my clients fell victim to this fraud and I'm still confused as to why.

My client had an ad group created for "Ringtones." His settings were adjusted to accept a $25,000 daily limit with each keyword set at $18.00 max CPC. The fraudster then bought dozens of ringtone related keywords. The puzzling part was the actual ad was jibberish and the desitination URL was an invalid domain. In fact, it was available to purchase. The fraudster was either testing something out or just had too much free time on his hands.

Either way, we worked with Google to fix everything, but the only thing the fraudster really did was waste several hours of time.

I'm not going to post screen shots of the ad or what everything looked like as I don't want to give this guy credit, but we did get the clients password changed and everything seems to be running smoothly now.

So... What did we learn? Change your passwords to something not easily guessed or figured out and most of all, never click on a link to log into your account from anyone! Actually go to the website and login. I would like to think that if your account is about to be shut off, the company would put some kind of message on the site once you logged in without having to click on any links within an email.

For your reference, below are copies of 3 different Google Spoof emails that I have received:


-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dear Google Adwords Customer, Your ads have stopped running because we were unable to process your billing information.
To activate your account and start running your ads, enter your billing information.

In order to activate your account and start running your ads, enter your billing information.
Pease sign into your account at http://adwords.google.com/select/login, and update
your billing information.

Once your account is reactivated and your billing information has been processed,
any your ads and campaigns can begin running immediately on Google.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This message was sent from a notification-only email address that does
not accept incoming email. Please do not reply to this message.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Google Adwords Team



Dear Google AdWords Customer,

Your ads have stopped running because we were unable to process your billing information. We will reactivate you account after you update your billing information. In order to reactivate your account, please sign it to your account at http://adwords.google.com/select/login, and update your billing informatio



Dear AdWords Customer,

The ads in this account are not running. All other account activity has been stopped.
Any edits you make here will take effect only if you reactivate the account.
If you would like to reactivate your account, please sign in
to your account at http://adwords.google.com/select/login,
and update your billing information.

Labels: adwords, google, phishing

I just wanted to write a quick post pertaining to a rash of Google Phishing emails I've been receiving lately. Everyone at some time or another has probably received a fake PayPal or Credit Card email stating to log into your account immediately or else it will be shut down or something like that. These are from the bad people who want your login information so they can buy stuff with your money.

Apparently they now want to increase traffic to their websites by writing fake Google Adwords ads from your account. Anyway, whatever the reason, be careful.

Here are copies of 3 different Google Spoof emails that I have received lately:


-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dear Google Adwords Customer, Your ads have stopped running because we were unable to process your billing information.
To activate your account and start running your ads, enter your billing information.

In order to activate your account and start running your ads, enter your billing information.
Pease sign into your account at http://adwords.google.com/select/login, and update
your billing information.

Once your account is reactivated and your billing information has been processed,
any your ads and campaigns can begin running immediately on Google.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This message was sent from a notification-only email address that does
not accept incoming email. Please do not reply to this message.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Google Adwords Team



Dear Google AdWords Customer,

Your ads have stopped running because we were unable to process your billing information. We will reactivate you account after you update your billing information. In order to reactivate your account, please sign it to your account at http://adwords.google.com/select/login, and update your billing informatio



Dear AdWords Customer,

The ads in this account are not running. All other account activity has been stopped.
Any edits you make here will take effect only if you reactivate the account.
If you would like to reactivate your account, please sign in
to your account at http://adwords.google.com/select/login,
and update your billing information.

Labels: adwords, google, phishing

Google will be updating it's display URL policy beginning April 1st. This change marks the beginning of a stricter stance on display URLs. No more re-directs or vanity URL's will be allowed. Google states that this policy will be strictly enforced regardless of past approvals and will apply to all advertisers.

Basically, the new rules state the display URL will need to match the destination URL. Most exceptions that were allowed before will no longer be approved.

Here are a few examples that will not be approved:

www.Google.co.uk - this URL leads to a different site

www.Gogle.com - this URL simply redirects to www.Google.com

www.Gooogle.com - this URL leads to a page showing content identical to www.Google.com
Google will also not allow the use of multiple domains or branding and vanity URLs.

What about Yahoo Tracking URLs?
Google understands that many advertisers utilize tracking URLs within the destination field of their ads. Therefore, if the URL of your landing page matches that of your display URL, your ads will be approved.

For example:
Display URL: www.mydomain.com/widget
Destination URL: http://store.yahoo.com/cgi-bin/clink?yhst1234567+a1B2C3D4E5+widget.html
--> Landing page URL: www.mydomain.com would be acceptable

Display URL: www.mydomain.com/widget
Destination URL: http://store.yahoo.com/cgi-bin/clink?yhst1234567+a1B2C3D4E5+widget.html
--> Landing page URL: http://store.yahoo.com would not be acceptable

Are sub-domains or extra text still acceptable?
Yes, the use of sub-domains and additional text within the display will continue to be acceptable provided the top-level domain matches the URL of your landing page.

For example, display URLs such as the following:
sub.google.com
google.com/extratext
www.google.com/extratext
would all be acceptable for the landing page URL below, as the top-level domain of google.com is matched:
http://sub.google.com/miscellaneous

Finally, note that you don't have to change your ads. Existing ads within your account will not be immediately affected by this change. However, if Google receives complaints regarding specific violations of this policy, they will review and take the appropriate action. (Usually at 5:00pm on a Friday night). I would however, suggest that everyone check their account for potential blatant violations.

For more information regarding the update, look at the Google Blog

Labels: adwords, google, ppc, tracking

YouTube has certainly been in the news regularly lately. I've been reading some posts about the speculation of how much money YouTube will make with the new ad structure (Estimates range from Billions to Millions.) And these articles are usually followed by some sort of Lawsuit. For example, A billion in ad revenues won't mean much if it goes out the door to settle the Viacom lawsuit.

Further reading shows German Jews are contemplating a lawsuit because YouTube shows neo-Nazi videos. I don't think Google will do much about that if Yahoo! didn't do much about the arrest and imprisonment of a few pro-democracy Chinese. Note, "German" Jews. They aren't American and we have the Freedom of Speech rule over here. I'm sure some American Jews will join the suit, but we still have that Freedom of Speech thing. Sorry.

I'm not Jewish and don't mean to be disrespectful, but don't worry Jews, I'm sure you are not alone in your quest for morality right or wrong. I was watching a TV show last night called I-Caught. A show where they show various YouTube videos and such of what's hot or not. Last night I learned that YouTube shows videos of how to make a bomb, flame throwers made from childrens' toys and how to pick locks (Although they did feel obligated not to show which childrens' toy was used in the flame thrower.) They also told me that the Internet has web sites I can go to and see the identities of undercover police. Hmmm. That is certainly newsworthy!

All I need to do now is watch the 6 o'clock news and they will have some expert who will tell me that if I were to make one of those bombs and place it at some very easy to access precise location, something really really bad will happen.

YouTube obviously touches and affects everyone whether you have a computer or not. Maybe in a few years YouTube will be like Gun Control. Here are a few bumper stickers we will be seeing:

When YouTube is Outlawed. Only Outlaws will have YouTube.

YouTube Doesn't kill people. People Do.

Insured by YouTube

Ted Kennedy's Car has Killed more People than YouTube

Criminals Prefer Computerless Victims

Keep Honking While I Refresh

I'm actually not Anti-Google or Anti-Youtube. I use both quite often. I'm just pointing out the questions everyone must be thinking. I certainly understand the Jews point of view and I understand Google. My wife always tells me to choose my battles. Therefore, I usually choose to let her deal with it but do I want my kids having access to such anti-semitism and weapons making instructions? Maybe as a parent, I could restrict what my kids do on the Internet. You know, take an active role in raising them. If only the law allowed me to discipline my kids. But that's another post in itself!

Why is YouTube getting all the heat? We have other major crises in this Country. In last night's paper, I read a letter to the editor where this woman's son was the sole survivor in an attack in Afghanistan because the group of soldiers he was with decided to let some sheep herders go who found there location. Apparently the sheep herders alerted the Taliban who then attacked in force. Killing all but one, including a few dozen rescuers. Also, the men knew that letting the sheep herders go would most likely spur a huge attack, but killing them would mean murder charges back in America. Talk about your ethical dilemma's! I say it's war! Get the camera's out and let our troops do there job. Instead, it was suicide.

Too far from home? Not your worry? How about the next time you buy gas at the corner gas station, look around on the counter. How many different kinds of Speed or stimulants are on the counter? How many cans of energy drinks are in the cooler beside the counter? look at where the rolling papers are placed and flavored tobacco? Heck, we have a local gas station that sells steel wool and glass tubes. (That's used for smoking crack.)

Come on people! Look around your own neighborhood and open your eyes. You'd be surprised at what you can see. Maybe it's about time the news crews and lawyers look around a little closer to home. Oh wait, that doesn't make as much money and sell enough newspapers.

So I'll leave you with two final bumper stickers. One should certainly fit your point of view:

Visualize World Peace

Kill 'em all, let God sort it out

Labels: google, youtube

I have written several articles on the need to accept Paypal as a payment method. People want additional methods to pay and Paypal seems to be a great method. And it works! Unless you need something changed on your account. PayPal Account Management is awful.

I have a client who needed the account name changed as the employee listed was no longer with the company. Seemed easy enough. On May 29, 2007 I faxed a copy of the new drivers license and utility bill along with a statement of what we needed changed. This was faxed over and I thought I was done.

Apparently PayPal needed more information and sent an email requesting this. Since all email from Paypal goes in the spam folder, we never received it. I found out after I called to follow up that they also wanted a copy of a bank statement. Fine, I re-faxed all the information to them.

Am I done now? Nope. Apparently PayPal needed more information, but don't plan on getting the email request they send as it gets filtered as Spam. You have to call them and funnel through the automated system to get a live body to check on the status. Apparently they need more information. This time they want a credit card statement, copy of paystub displaying social security number and a letter on company letterhead stating we wanted a name change. Keep in mind, we aren't changing the company name but only wanted to change the name of the employee listed on the account. This was faxed over on June 21, 2007.

Am I done now? Nope. I called PayPal again after a few days wondering what the status was and they tell me they now need a copy of the signature card from the bank. Interestingly enough, this employee also tells me that it's easier to set up a new PayPal account rather than try to change the name. He told me exactly what I needed to do. I find it nice that employees are telling customers how to get over on the system because even the employees know it sucks. I'm determined to get this changed though. And I don't want to loose the history with the existing account.

Funny though, On June 25, 2007 I received an email from PayPal asking for me to answer a survey about my experience with PayPal. The letter reads, "As part of PayPal's commitment to excellence, I want to make sure I met your needs in my response. Would you please take a minute to answer a few questions to let me know how I did?" Well, I told them how my needs were not met. Apparently that was all they wanted because I haven't heard back from them. Apparently "Commitment to Excellence" means something different to me then it does them.

Anyway, Today, July 2, 2007 I call again wanting to know the status and the PayPal guy tells me they sent me an email today wanting more information. I can't wait to see what they want now. Unfortunately, I can't tell you because the guys computer is running slow and he can't pull up the information. I give him my email address and he assures me he'll send it within a couple minutes. He actually follows through with his word and I get an email several minutes later. Apparently, now they want a copy of the Social Security Card as well as a paystub. What, the paystub displaying the Social Security Number isn't enough?? Here's what they wrote:

"Please submit a clear copy of your Social Security card and a recent pay stub displaying your SSN and the address matching your PayPal Account. Please ensure that your Social Security number is clearly displayed on the documents you send.

In order for us to complete the verification process, please print this email and complete the fields of the Social Security Affidavit below. Once completed, please fax or mail the information to:...."

You have got to be kidding! So, I call them one more time. After sitting on hold for 32 minutes, I ask to speak to the verification department and as usual get told they don't accept phone calls. I then request a supervisor. I get a supervisor who I tell my story to and he assures me that he can see that they have all the documentation and I don't need to fax anything over. He will contact the verification department and explain what I told him. He then says to wait a couple days and the name should be changed. I won't hold my breath because I want to live long enough for this change to go through. As I hang up the phone, the PayPal supervisor tells me to have a nice 4th. Is he being sarcastic or just trying to be nice? Who cares, just get my account fixed!

My next step is to start some tests with Google Checkout. Perhaps Google Checkout will generate similar positive results and I can suggest all my clients stop using PayPal and switch to Google. This is ridiculous.

Labels: checkout, google, paypal

My good friend and co-worker, Karl Ribas was recently interviewed by Joe Balestrino with Mr. SEO. I'm a bit behind in my podcasts and finally got to hear his interview this morning. It was a great discussion about PPC advertising. As with every great discussion, I feel my two cents worth will only make them better. So, as you listen to this great podcast, here is my 2 cents worth....

1 Cent: My first cent involves the ability to run A/B tests with Google Adwords. Joe briefly stated the ability was there but I feel that topic needs more time. The ability to run an A/B test will help virtually every aspect of PPC advertising, from landing page design to ad copy. When asked what to avoid in ad copy, Karl mentioned each business was different. Well, how can you tell what works for your business if you don't run A/B tests? Google make the ability to test so easy, that not to test, is a crime. Changing one word in your ad can make a big conversion difference. (Karl mentioned Rob Snell; Our friend and Yahoo Store conversion expert) By running against a control, you can guage just how much of a difference you'll get.

By testing different landing pages within same viewable ad, you can test various aspects of your landing page copy. Yahoo trackable links make testing not only your ads but the landing pages easy as pie!

By the way, Yahoo Search Marketing also allows for ad copy A/B testing as well.

In short, the ability to do A/B testing is easy to do and a necessity. Call me (or Karl) if you get stuck or need any help.

2 Cent: My second cent involves Karl's comment about his use of Yahoo Search if he wanted to buy something and Google search if he was researching. I think he's wrong. Some people might say that different people search using different engines and different styles, but since he doesn't follow my style, he's wrong. (Joke)

I search differently. If I'm looking to buy something, I use Google Adwords because those people are paying for the ad and therefore want to sell something. If I'm researching, I use the organic results and Alta Vista. I like to read reviews on Amazon or other sites where people review. Organic results are chock full of independent reviews on why something is good or bad.

For example, Kelly sold me on the Cingular Blackjack phone. Before I buy, I want to see other reviews so I search Google for "Cingular Blackjack" and read the organic results showing me various opinions and reviews that have been published. When I'm ready to buy, I click on the paid links. Alta Vista provides good organic results as well.

OK. There you have it. My 2 cents worth on Karl's interview with Mr. SEO. Please be sure to listen to the Podcast and all Joe's podcasts as they are very educational and informative for the seasoned SEO person as well as the do it yourselfer. It's full of legitimate information and not fluff about what the speakers did over the weekend. Karl's blog is great as well! Check them both out:

Karl Ribas Blog

Mr. SEO

Labels: balestrino, google, karl, ppc, ribas, seo, yahoo