Monday, December 29, 2008

Proflowers “Florist” Searches & Influencing Results

According to Google’s Traffic Estimator, the number of searches for the term “Florist” average around 1,247 to 1,558 a day or about 45,000 searches a month. Hence, ranking in the top 3 spots for this particular search phrase is very important. So important, in fact, that the likelihood of a major order gatherer stepping outside of Google’s rules and guidelines in an effort to manipulate the search results is very real.

Since I’ve observed in the past that Proflowers likes to rank using risky SEO tactics on certain high-level keywords, I thought I would take a little peek at how they are currently ranking for the term “florist.” Over the years I’ve noticed that Proflowers seems not to be too concerned about Google’s warning about manipulating their search algorithm so I’m sure they are not concerned with me talking about it here.

As is common knowledge, ranking in Google’s algorithm is largely based on a complex link-voting system. Those who are aware of how this works will often times get caught up in gathering *too many* link-votes artificially. Google’s position on this is that if you gather link-votes artificially you risk being removed from their index.    

So with that as our back drop, I thought I’d look at the top 40 supporting link-votes to get a better grasp of the situation. My opinion on whether or not the link-vote is real will be label “paid” or “real” in the right column below. Keep in mind that I’m only giving my opinion on the most recent top 40 link-votes for their validity while there are many hundreds in actuality.

Go ahead and click through some of the links and tell me what you think. There seems to be three methods of link-vote buying going on. While not too many of the top 40 are real which I find interesting. 

1

http://www.essentialgardenguide.com/

florist flowers

Paid

2

http://www.backyardgardener.com/rose/index.html

Florists

Paid

3

http://playinginthedirt.ca/?paged=2

florist

Paid

4

http://www.premiumtaste.com/Wine/Covered_Strawberry_Ros.....

?

?

5

http://encarta.msn.com/florists.html

florist

Real

6

http://www.mahalo.com/Online_Florists

ProFlowers

Real

7

http://directory4flower.com/roses.html

online florist

Paid

8

http://www.nichewatch.com/florist.html

www.proflowers.com

Real

9

http://computersandjunk.com/Blog-89.html

florist

?

10

http://www.directory4flower.com/bulbs.html

online florist

Paid

11

http://www.directory4flower.com/gifts.html

online florist

Paid

12

http://www.proinvestortrader.com/?m=200710

florists

Paid

13

http://www.directory4flower.com/wreaths.html

online florist

Paid

14

http://www.redenvelop.com/

Premium Collection

Real

15

http://www.directory4flower.com/orchids.html

online florist

Paid

16

http://www.myaffairs.com/TopSites_Floral.htm

ProFlowers: Your dependable online florist

Real

17

http://www.directory4flower.com/services.html

online florist

Paid

18

http://www.directory4flower.com/tropical.html

online florist

Paid

19

http://www.directory4flower.com/gardening.html

online florist

Paid

20

http://www.directory4flower.com/fresh-cut.html

online florist

Paid

21

http://dagboek.thesserie.com/crazy-about-flowers/

florist

Paid

22

http://www.directory4flower.com/fresh-flowers.html

online florist

Paid

23

http://www.directory4flower.com/dried-flowers.html

online florist

Paid

24

http://www.directory4flower.com/flower-nursery.html

online florist

Paid

25

http://www.proflower.com/

Premium Collection

Real

26

http://hoboken411.com/?p=116&akst_action=share-this

Florists

Paid

27

http://www.directory4flower.com/pressed-flowers.html

online florist

Paid

28

http://www.directory4flower.com/birthday-flower.html

online florist

Paid

29

http://www.directory4flower.com/flower-essences.html

online florist

Paid

30

http://www.directory4flower.com/flowering-plants.html

online florist

Paid

31

http://www.directory4flower.com/christmas-flower.html

online florist

Paid

32

http://www.directory4flower.com/wholesale-flowers.html

online florist

Paid

33

http://www.directory4flower.com/theme-arrangements.html

online florist

Paid

34

http://www.directory4flower.com/flower-garden-tool.html

online florist

Paid

35

http://www.directory4flower.com/father-s-day-flower.html

online florist

Paid

36

http://newsnet.byu.edu/specialsections.cfm

Premium Collection

Real

37

http://www.directory4flower.com/mother-s-day-flower.html

online florist

Paid

38

http://www.directory4flower.com/preservation-services.html

online florist

Paid

39

http://www.directory4flower.com/florist-search-engines.html

online florist

Paid

40

http://pinktwilight.uni.cc/madly-in-love-savor-the-passion/

florist

Paid

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Great investigation, Mark. Although I have one suggestion: put a 'rel="nofollow' next to each one of the links you put here for demonstration purposes. Otherwise, you'll ironically be passing YOUR link juice to ProFlowers!

Just to show how little ProFlowers cares where its links comes from, check out this link (one of many haphazard ones) they bought for Valentine's Flowers.

http://www.treesandthings.com/story/2008/2/13/9324/42970

The word "flowery" is linked to ProFlowers. Problem is, if you read the NSFW first line, this whole articles is an anti-Valentines message that no self-respecting florist would be a part of!

Cathy R said...

Mark -

As you well know, seeing ProFlowers rank well for "florist" is a real stomach churner for local flower shop owners.

The ultimate irony for me is that ProFlowers.com (Provide Commerce) petitioned the State of California's Board of Equalization (sales tax collection department) and was granted an exemption from collecting sales tax like local CA florists.

The BOE amended Regulation 1571, Florists, "to define the term “florist” to include traditional florists who fulfill other florists’ orders and to preserve the current tax treatment of traditional florists. Retailers such as Internet sellers who do not fulfill other florists’ orders are excluded from the revised definition of florists and must report sales and use tax in the same manner as any other retailer."

So locals - who actually stock & handle flowers - get a brick & mortar penalty while 'internet only' flower sellers are not required to collect sales tax on orders delivered out of California.

Thanks for the report on the paid links. You and I both know that no local flower shop could get away with gaming search engines like that.

Mark McFall said...

Thanks for the two comments above. Both are very informative.

Cathy, I was not aware of the tax exemption. If you ever want to send me something to post as a quest post feel free to send it my way. You always have important facts and/or stats that often leave my jaw on the floor.