However, it would appear that the opt-out process on the Yellow Page's website never sends an e-mail confirming the choice to opt-out. Is this yet another empty gesture from YPG's "eco-initiatives"? If you ever receive a confirmation e-mail, please let us know in the comments.
We also received a report by Dana Ditomaso about Yellow Page Group's deceptive sales tactics and misrepresentation of the listing's effect on Internet site rankings:
"The Yellow Pages reps always tell my clients the same stories but they’re getting more insistent in recent years.
1. We are the only authorized Google AdWords reseller in Canada.
There’s two parts to this. First, it implies that being a Google AdWords reseller is better than a consultant who works with AdWords. That’s absolutely not true. You do not receive better rates by working with a reseller – if anything, it costs more and they provide you with less reporting. Secondly, they are not the only authorized Google AdWords reseller in Canada.
There’s two parts to this. First, it implies that being a Google AdWords reseller is better than a consultant who works with AdWords. That’s absolutely not true. You do not receive better rates by working with a reseller – if anything, it costs more and they provide you with less reporting. Secondly, they are not the only authorized Google AdWords reseller in Canada.
2. Having a listing on the Yellow Pages will improve your rank on Google.
Nope. Check out a Yellow Pages listing. You’ll see that the link to the website is actually something like http://www.yellowpages.ca/gourl/http://www.yourcompany.com – that means that the link actually is a redirect from the Yellow Pages site, not a true link to your site. It may pass along some link value but it’s of low value.
Nope. Check out a Yellow Pages listing. You’ll see that the link to the website is actually something like http://www.yellowpages.ca/gourl/http://www.yourcompany.com – that means that the link actually is a redirect from the Yellow Pages site, not a true link to your site. It may pass along some link value but it’s of low value.
3. The Yellow Pages website gets more traffic than Google!
Absolutely not. I think the below chart (from Alexa, a well-regarded provider of competitive website statistics) will paint the real picture. I’ve included canpages.ca for comparison purposes.
Absolutely not. I think the below chart (from Alexa, a well-regarded provider of competitive website statistics) will paint the real picture. I’ve included canpages.ca for comparison purposes.
4. We have special ways of making your site show up on Google – no one else can do that.
They’re talking about pay-per-click advertising here. I’ll tell you their secret – they’re using the local business options available to any AdWords advertiser. Nothing secret there, just knowing what boxes to click.
They’re talking about pay-per-click advertising here. I’ll tell you their secret – they’re using the local business options available to any AdWords advertiser. Nothing secret there, just knowing what boxes to click.
And worst of all…
5. If you cancel your ad with us, your ranking will go down on Google.
An absolute lie. Ask them for proof – how will this happen? Ask for specific examples. In my experience, I have not seen any detrimental ranking effects when a client has canceled or downgraded their Yellow Pages listing. If anything, they can improve their reach because of the money they saved!
An absolute lie. Ask them for proof – how will this happen? Ask for specific examples. In my experience, I have not seen any detrimental ranking effects when a client has canceled or downgraded their Yellow Pages listing. If anything, they can improve their reach because of the money they saved!
I’ve been discussing these issues with other web developers on Twitter for a couple of weeks and if the folks at Yellow Pages even noticed, they haven’t said anything. If Yellow Pages was as web-savvy as they claim, they would have picked up on the Twitter mentions by now and gotten in touch.
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Our sincere thanks again for all of your support and please continue to spread the word and share your Yellow Page stories and media,Aimee
Bonjour,
ReplyDeleteje me permets de vous écrire en français...
j'ai bien reçu une confirmation de yellow page mais j'ai appris que je n'étais retirée de la liste d'envoi que pour 2 ans seulement...ils sont pas bête..d'ici 2 ans je vais surement avoir oublié de me désabonner...
en espérant que vous lisez en français! ;)