We have been getting an increasing number of requests to remove adverts in traveljunkies and we’re not alone. These are often emails with businesslike names claiming to be webmasters and using Gmail, AOL or similar general use email addresses.
The most frequently given reason is that Google are penalising companies that advertise referring to Google’s backlink policy and the effect on Search Engine Optimisation.
Whereas this my be a genuine concern for some businesses it isn’t the case for the majority who use respectable and responsible advertising.
If it were, advertising as we know it would soon disappear.
I’m writing this to alert you to the unscrupulous and possibly illegal actions perpetrated by businesses attempting to impact their competitors and by hackers and scammers being disruptive and destructive.
We recently received an email requesting the removal of a free advert for a backpackers in Australia. When we checked with the company they had not sent the email.
At traveljunkies we have been promoting small businesses with free and paid adverts for 12 years and we only accept requests from authorised representatives of genuine businesses, and we check the website of every request to ensure they are who they say they are.
Therefore we do not accept any request to remove an advert unless it comes directly from the company who placed it and only when sent from the company’s email address, or with the explicit approval of the company if the request comes from an agency or affiliate claiming to represent the company.
As we have no way of checking the validity of every request to delete an advert, I’m sure you will understand why we enforce this rule.
And if you place adverts on your website, free or paid, I recommend you do the same when you receive requests to remove them.
Cliff Chapman
traveljunkies
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