SCAM SITE REPORTS
The nature of the Web has changed in the last year. Companies that sell products use sneaky optimization practices, create “shadow” sites and write negative reviews and comments about their competitor’s products in the hope to steal the competition away and lure them to the actual Web site that sells the site that gets all the made up accolades. The more you search the Web for products, the more you’ll see these kinds of sites. They are practically identical in nature and companies pay a great deal of money to “buy” these ad positions on search engines like Google and Yahoo. In order to have their advertisements seen they pay more money for their competitions’ product and company name, more money than the competitors pay for their trademarked names themselves!
Website’s that Border on Trademark Infringement
This practice has gotten out of control in the sexual enhancer arena, in particular. Many readers ask me about all kinds of products and as I research them on the Web, I’ve become alarmed at what some Werbsellers will stoop to in order to garner Web traffic.
So … Knowing that money is tight in these difficult economic times, and because reader have brought some of this behavior to light, as a service to my readers (and anyone that shops on the Web), I feel it’s my duty to give out a few “protection” pointers when shopping for sexual enhancements on the Web. Show people some examples of bogus or shadow sites, and provide some simple ways to use these fictitious sites to your advantage in order to find the better product you are looking for.
One Random Example
For example, this is a random site (I’ve heard of Orexis because of consumer complaints; I’ve never heard of Zenerx) I’ve pulled of Google to illustrate how a shadow site is intended to work and how to spot what product the site is shilling for:
The URL is http://impotenceguide.info/orexis-review.html
The corny doctor with the clipboard is the first dead giveaway; the 2d is the “comparision” chart. I clicked on “Let Us Know About Male Products You Have Used - Good and Bad” and emailed the Web administrator. Here’s what I posted:
“I've used both products: Orexis and Zenerx and found them to be of no help when it comes to helping erectile dysfunction. These products did not work, especially Zenerx.
There is no substitute for ED pharmaceuticals like Viagra,® Cialis, ® and Levitra® Please compare Zenerx and Orexis with these top-selling ED medications.”
Because this ED “info” site is shilling for Zenerx, I can guarantee you not only will the site not publish my email, I will not even get a reply!
How to Spot Dubious Web Content
These sites are considered “shadow” or “shill” sites, meaning they are usually administered by a company selling a particular competing product. Shadow sites contain fabricated content (whether it be negative reviews of competitor’s product or fake or anonymous forum postings).The best way to spot these sites are if they are associated with sponsored ads (paid ads that are strategically placed on a search engine page (for example, Google) when a competitor’s product is typed in the search field. The obvious culprits are sites that claim to have hundreds of product reviews or product “comparison” charts. Some sites go as far as creating fictitious “awards” for the product that the page is shilling. Also, be on the lookout for sites with “blogs” that regardless of the product you are searching for, you are in some way magically “steered” to the same product that is somehow always mentioned as the “best” of the bunch.
Another dead giveaway is that the templates of each site (color, font, identical wording, etc) is almost always similar or exactly the same. This type of Web presence is illegal and dishonest.
How to Find Honest Product Reviews, Not Fake or “Planted” Ones
Before I list a bunch of the worst offenders, I want to explain how Web shoppers can discern honest user reviews from disguised ones.
The best way for users to find honest reviews and comments about products they’re thinking of purchasing is to read customer reviews on Amazon, eBay or some of the other legitimate auction sites. User comments found on sites like Amazon are verified before they are posted.
How Web Shoppers can Use These Fabricated Sites to Guide them to the Better Product
Companies that sell products that work don’t need to use their own product names to gain brand loyalty (For instance, the three ED medications I mentioned earlier (Viagra,® Cialis, ® and Levitra®) speak for themselves.
Lets take a look at how someone using a search engine like Google can use the keywords that trigger all these “paid-for” sites to find the optimal product.
For an example, I typed “Serogen” into Google’s search bar.
Here’s some of the sponsored ads that came up:
http://www.herbal-sex-secrets.com/
http://www.themanschoice.com
http://www.everestnutrition.com/?SSAID=279755
Each Libidez™ capsule contains 420mg of an incredibly potent all-natural Erection Boosting Blend! This particular blend took over 7 years to perfect.
Libidez™ is comprised of a special blend of Herbs, Mushrooms and Greens.
Sexual Stimulant Blend 180mg
Organic Green Blend 60mg
I’ve also listed a few sites that have come up on the radar as “questionable.” The sites I’ve mentioned have either been reported by customers to consumer spots such as www.ripoffreport.com and www.complaints.com as well as sites with pending lawsuits against them as reported by Internet press release news services.
The following sites are guilty of this fraudulent behavior (most all of them are associated with the product, Orexis, distributed by Urban Nutrition.
I encourage my readers send email to me if you feel you have been misled or believe you have purchased a bogus product from a questionable Webseller.
Here are some other links to consumer complaints and board discussions that involve various male enhancement products (the names of the products are mentioned in the complaints and forum threads):
http://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/0/340/RipOff0340676.htm
http://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/0/129/RipOff0129374.htm#95699
http://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/0/059/RipOff0059819.htm
http://www.complaintsboard.com/complaints/rip-off-c146214.html
http://boards.webmd.com/webx?THD@@.899f24ac!thdchild=.899f24ac/6
http://learntheropes.net/reports/2009/01/the-truth-about-the-original-swedish-ropes-formula/
ABOUT
Although I can’t answer everyone who emails, I’ve responded privately to many of you, and I’ve just posted a recent “feature” letter along with my response here on the site as well as a testimonial for one of the products I endorse. More Q&A’s to come.
Nancy-Ann is a freelance cyber-writer contributing insights on the latest sexual fads, techniques, sex toys, and supplemental enhancements in the States, Canada, and Europe. Here on her popular Web site she publishes a featured letter of the month from one of her many readers. She also has an advice column, in which she answers reader questions and lists some of the latest, hottest adult-oriented products currently available.
Nancy-Ann’s articles have appeared in Oui, Hustler, Club, and Swank, and her writing has been posted on a number of adult Web sites. She created this site so she can have a more personal interaction with her readers.
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The Porn Issue
Dear Tim,
Simply put: Women do not understand the need for porn. Period. Some accept it, but many want to believe they are the center of their partner’s sexual universe, and porn is competition for their man’s attention and lust. We are not wired to be aroused visually. I suspect her not to ever see it your way. She most likely cannot imagine sitting at her computer or lounging on the couch watching strangers sucking and fucking.
Your porn collection could be making her feel that she is not perfect enough for you sexually. Adult starlets can seem threatening, mainly because of how unrealistic and enhanced they are. Girls are getting their pussies surgically reshaped, never mind the standard breast implants, shaving, lingerie, ad infinitum to keep up! Those slutty Barbie’s just kind of piss us off in general.
Looking at porn from time to time is completely normal for a man. Keep your stash better hidden.
Taking into account what I just said, you might try presenting it along this vein. That you have no emotional attachment to the women. Explain that – while viewing -- she always pops into your mind and you re-live some of your best moments together. She is the center of your erotic universe, and perhaps you both could watch together and see if there are new ways to pleasure each other that you have not tried. Be prepared, she may just gross out, or laugh at the hokey acting or close-ups of genitals in motion. There are a number of adult Websites geared for women and couples http://www.forthegirls.com is just one example). I would start there and not show her anything too kinky or deliberately demeaning.
Hope this helps.
N-A