Just Say No to Text Link Ads

I just finished reading Chris Anderson’s The Long Tail. I highly recommend the read. The repercussions of Internet marketing have implications past advertising itself. While the book could have been condensed into about 50 pages, it’s a good read nonetheless. While reading this book, it got me thinking about a nerd ethical dilemma I’ve been mulling over for the past few months.

I’ve felt dirty about text link ads for quite some time now. We at HackCollege get a regular influx of requests for text link ads. (When I say text link ads, I’m referring to solicited simple links to another website using a specific phrase. It’s a way of gaming Google. HackCollege has a decent Google PageRank so a link from us is worth money.)

Are Text Link Ads Harmless?

I had been talking with Chris to some extent about the ethics behind such a practice. While many buddies on Twitter pointed out that it’s a circle of mutually beneficial business (i.e. “everyone wins”), I still got a sick feeling in my stomach every time another request hit the HackCollege inbox.

The dirty feelings associated with text link ad requests fueled a procrastination. Usually I’m not one to pass up a simple, money-making opportunity.

Anderson Puts It Best

Towards the end of The Long Tail, Anderson beautifully explains the significance of something I take for granted, the hyperlink. He writes,

When you think about it, the hyperlink is the ultimate act of generosity online. When somebody links to another site, what they’re doing is telling their readers to go elsewhere. They’re saying: “At this point, dear reader, I recommend that if you want more, you leave my site and go to this other site. I believe that site will be worth your time. I believe that you’ll be glad you went. I believe that you’ll be so glad you went that you’ll come back, and when you come back you’ll thank me for having wisely suggested that link.

After reading that paragraph, my stomach sickness found its cause. Text link ads are not genuine. They are not us being “generous,” but us just trying to make a few bucks. Text link ads are a quick buck. With most quick bucks, there is something deeper going on.

But What About the John Chow’s?

Now, there are guys like John Chow that have made money by gaming a young system. They make crazy amounts of money (or at least claim they do). I’m guessing that as search engines become more and more mature, the the lucrative Google bombing these types of guys do will be much less effective.

Is this just my young self taking the high road? Yes. While it’s the mission of HackCollege to eventually pay back all of the student loans of everyone involved, I’m not in the money game right now. I don’t have to worry about money much right now (as I’m still in school) and hopefully will never have to make the money vs. morals decision.

I hope this post serves convinces anyone on the edge about succumbing to text link ads.

What do you think about text link ads? Leave a comment!