I’ve received a note a few days ago on how to avoid getting tracked by Google if you’re selling text links. Update your code or use the new TLA plugin. The idea behind it is that Google uses a pretty simple method on monitoring those selling their blogs’ link juice, which I’ve learned from John Chow who’ve learned about it through Jeremy Schoemaker.
If you are running an old TLA plugin, then you need to upgrade to the latest one right away. If you’ve been wondering how Google can tell if you’ve been selling Text Link Ads, it’s actually pretty simple. Shoemoney explained it in his Fun Numbers post. If you want to see all the sites running TLA, do a search for function tla_ads. The number has gone down from the 34,100 that Shoe reported. This doesn’t necessarily mean that publishers are dropping TLA. The latest TLA plugin doesn’t have function tla_ads in the codes so publisher running the new plugin won’t show up on the hit list.
I wish I’ve known about this way before Google used their PageRanking authority. But what the heck – there’s always ScratchBack, right? Ok, I’ll update my TLA codes in a bit. LOL!
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Don’t you find it incredible that Google wants to stop US from making money with the content WE wrote? They make money from us, why can’t we???
I am paranoid about the whole thing, and i think Google is way too smart for this plug-in or code removal. Like John Chow stated himself, it is a “cat and mouse game” and only a matter of time, before they catch you, so might as well not risk it.
I’m not messing with it, im not adding or using TLA. It really does suck, because i could certainly use the money, and i think it dirty and unjust what Google is trying to do, or should i say…..has done.
Big Boooooooo to Google!
@ Douglas and Missy
Can anyone remember Google’s tagline?
I remember it, but I think they’ve forgotten it!
I remove my TLA code right after my blog PR dropping, I wish to see whether my PR will be back for the next update.
I frankly don’t see why Google is so paranoid, the more they fight something publicly the more they raise awareness of the issue. If they were to just change their algorithms slowly without being so transparent then they’d be able to stop the problem.
@James
I think Google’s method of shocking those as Douglas Karr has mentioned, who are just trying to make a little bit of money out of the content that they’ve actually provided is definitely Google’s way of saying that I’m the boss of you and you can’t do anything to go against me.
Alfa:
What was Google’s tagline?
@Missy
It’s “Do no evil.” Hehe.
Yes, it is “Do no evil” but what do they do to us??
It’s pathetic…but still, we all use them…
Another similar program is Etology. I’ve been using this service for a few months now and so far I’m quite happy with the results. I haven’t had a chance to advertise with this system yet, but as a publisher I love the freedom to sell ad space based on my own prices. Check out this review that I wrote for more info.
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