[Air-l] Protection against unethical practices in search engine optimization?

[Carmen Mardiros]

Hello everyone,

I'm new to this list and joined upon recommendation. I work in search engine optimisation and would be interested to know your opinions on the following question:

Why is this industry not properly regulated like email marketing? Is it because it is too specific and doesn't concern the mass consumers? The ones at risk of falling prey to unethical companies are businesses and the only place where you might consider complaining to are BBBs or similar organisations.

For example, a business hires a SEO (search engine optimization) company for a 3 months contract. The company performs optimization so that it has complete control over it. This means it can turn the results off with a click if the business has any intention of getting out of the contract at the end of 3 months. This is in my book highly unethical. There is a severe lack of information in this area to educate business owners and help them make a wise decision.

The internet is being marketed as a "level-playing field" where the small guys can compete with the big boys but it is precisely these small companies who are at their most vulnerable. An unhappy experience with an unethical SEO provider can mean short to medium term financial difficulties.


Thank you for your time,

Kind regards,
Carmen