Popular internet marketer alleges Google employee stole his keywords.
Making money from Google (NASDAQ: GOOG) advertising traffic is a million dollar business to some people. Consider “ShoeMoney”, famous for his $130,000 Google Adsense check.
Like many other internet marketers, ShoeMoney has invested lots of money into perfecting his online advertising strategy, including the keywords he bids on. But in a lawsuit reported on TechCrunch, ShoeMoney alleges a Google employee may have stolen his keyword strategy and bypassed systems to bid on the ShoeMoney trademark.
Whether or not the allegations turn out to be true, this will be a case worth watching. I’ve always wondered how this hasn’t been brought up in the past. Are Google employees allowed to bid on Adwords? Even the employees that are in the Adwords division? They could easily copy advertisers that are doing well and making money.
On one hand, you want employees to know the product. On the other, you don’t want to create a conflict. It’s kind of like an employee bidding on domain auctions at his own company. Or an affiliate marketing company copying its clients strategies to make money for the house.
I can also imagine employees that work on the search algorithms selling secrets to internet marketers. Or perhaps leaving Google to start a search engine optimization firm. Who wouldn’t hire an SEO who’s last job was at Google? Heck, a current Google employee could create his or her own web site and use inside knowledge to get better search rankings and Adsense revenue.
I’m not sure how this will turn out, but I doubt this is the last shoe to fall.
Steve M says
Looks like the Iraqis aren’t the only ones throwing shoes. 😉
Chris says
If there is one thing ShoeMoney does, it is that he works from facts. He analyzes, tests, analyzes, tests, and analyzes even more.
He must have a dump-truck full of data and logs to back up his accusations. He’s not one to chase after innuendo.
I wish him luck in his inquiry.
jp says
Good luck ShoeMoney! If this is all true, which seems reasonable that it is, then this guy deserves what he has coming.
Domain Superstar says
Thanks for pointing this article out. I am a fan of ShoeMoney and will be interested to see how this turns out.
ohio civil engineer says
ShoeMoney is normally pretty passive so there must have been something going on. Best of luck, Shoe.
ebay & epn sucks too says
someone please add ebay to the lawsuit and to the ones who promote, allow and provide insider advantages to their own inhouse scammers — for both their auctions and, since last year, their affiliate program — EPN ebay partnership network
the irony is shoemoney is the one who convinced ebay to take their aff program inhouse — he’s gamed the system for so long now he’s getting gamed. not losing too much sleep over that part of it.
in fact, you can bet ALL the ad promo/affiliate marketing programs and ad systems have tilted things to insider and insider-black-hat advantages.
as corrupt as the wall street scumbags.