Google Case A Tough One For ACCC
WHY? That’s the question I ask every time coverage emerges of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission ‘misleading and deceptive conduct’ action against Google for allegedly blurring the lines between paid and organic search. To me the difference between paid and sponsored links is clear, and a vox pop I did in Martin Place, Sydney, earlier this year clearly indicates the public is also aware that there are two distinct ad types on Google. But the ACCC is pressing ahead and in the Federal Court last week expanded its initial concerns about paid ads across the top of the search results page to include those down the side. It also clarified that its action will now be against parent company Google Inc, and not Google Australia. May as well, got nothing to lose – except maybe credibility on a global scale, because it looks like an exceptionally difficult proposition to prove. The ACCC action also focuses on a 2005 paid search campaign in which Trading Post allegedly used a rival’s business name to deceive people into visiting its site. It may have more luck there but has taken on an incredibly powerful adversary that will do whatever it takes to win – or at least ensure the matter is stuck in legal limbo for many years to come. Search Engine Room: October 8, 2007 Latest News
© Copyright 2008, Bluewater Press |
Events
Australia’s original search marketing and optimisation event, Search Engine Room, is returning to Sydney with a fresh theme and approach. Highlights include:
Search Engine Room an Australian-owned event that strives to reflect the market in which it operates while embracing international trends. It’s outward rather than inward looking, taking great care to incorporate consumer and marketing priorities into innovative and provocative programs. The program will be launched the week beginning July 21. Informative, educational, provocative and sometimes controversial, Search Engine Room is the leading event for Australasia's rapidly-growing search industry. It's held annually, attracting widespread industry support, and has a reputation for quality content, excellent event management and staging. The program focus is on respected, well-connected speakers delivering topical, relevant information. Search engine optimisation and marketing is well-covered, while broader industry issues are also addressed through interviews with leading search industry figures. There are case studies and debates, plus panels led by informed journos. Audience interaction is encouraged and Search Engine Room always makes an effort to be forward-looking, tracking the latest search and digital trends. Consumers are also given the once-over, enabling delegates to gain a better understanding of their customers. This format has great appeal and delegates come from around the country. Apart from search marketers, marketing managers, e-commerce managers, online business owners, senior management, digital media executives and agency types predominate. Companies large and small from diverse industries are represented. Some have been in the game for years, others are just starting out. A good way of keeping in touch is to subscribe to Search Engine Room News, which is packed with original content and comes out every five or so weeks. If you have any questions, please call Martin Kelly on 612-9882-1575. Meanwhile, here are some images from the 2007 event.
Bookings are now open for TRAVELtech 2008 - Australia's leading online travel marketing, distribution and tech event. This year's theme is the open-ended Year of Living Dangerously? It can be taken a couple of ways ... the obvious: oil, inflation, interest rates and marketing costs up - challenges ahead. But it's also a question, and the good news is there's increasing evidence the online channel may be the place consumers turn at times like these. Find out more at TRAVELtech 2008. Confirmed speakers are listed below, while the latest program has just been posted - it's packed with industry leaders and topical content.
TRAVELtech, founded in 1999, focusses on the latest online travel marketing and web-based innovations. It has a well-established reputation for delivering relevant, high-quality content and excellent networking - more than 300 delegates attended in 2007. If you have any questions, suggestions or would like to sponsor, please call Martin Kelly on (612) 9882-1575. Please visit the TRAVELtech photo gallery to see some photographs from the 2007 event. |
