Is Dell Stealing Your Traffic?

I'm part of potentially big breaking news - really.

I bought a new Dell laptop last Fall and discovered something that disturbs me - and it should disturb you too.

When I type in a URL, sans the www, often I get a Dell search page packed full of Sponsored ads. The URL is correct, but it seems Dell has tweaked something in the browser that would normally seek out the correct URL - www included - or not.

Bottom line: Dell has got to be making millions on Adsense and advertisers are footing the bill. That's OK with me in some situations - but who wants to pay Dell for traffic that would have arrived on its own without paying for a click?

At best, it's a sneaky trick. At worst, yes, I think it's theft because software has been altered to cause this.

Since the whole story is already written elsewhere, get the full scoop at Gadgetizer.

The Perry Marshall Big Bang Theory

I'm going to be honest, OK?

I'm just sick of hearing "Google Adwords" and "Perry Marshall" in the same sentence.

No offense Perry, but really. Is Perry Marshall really the only guy on the planet who knows anything about Adwords?

Fine. I'm jealous. You got me.

Perry has done an amazing job of branding himself as the "go-to" guy on the subject and I think beyond what he has to teach on the subject, a deeper lesson is being offered to those paying attention.

Perry has established an identity in the marketplace. And now that he's established THAT identity, he's expanding - it's subtle, but it's happening.

I think Perry would love knowing I've labeled it . . .

"The Perry Marshall Big Bang Theory"

I was listening to Perry interviewed on a call last night and I learned a couple of new things from him, about him.

First, Perry seems an Adwords proponent on the surface. But I sensed a certain . . . grudge . . . on his part regarding the big guys. It'll be curious to see how that plays out. On the call Perry positioned himself, not as a proponent of Google - but as a proponent for helping people put as little money in Google's rapidly expanding pockets, as is possible.

Interesting.

Second, was Perry talking about the bigger picture of how Google should be used now. Let's face it - the game is getting more competitive and more expensive. You and I just can't afford to be as careless and sloppy as once we could.

Google Adwords - pay per click as a whole - should really be utilized for testing. Sure. There are holes and Google Cash still works in some places, but thinking ahead all of these nooks and crannies are being found, explored and exploited. It's taking more of my brain power to to continue dominating my competition. That's OK - I have good brain, but occassionally I do want to think about something other than Internet marketing (and I'm waiting for that to happen).

Get the paid traffic to test, improve results, then expand to gaining the majority of your traffic from other sources. Don't put the bill of testing on your JV partners or affiliates.

After you've utilized PPC to refine your process for a high level of efficiency, then seek out JV's and get your affiliates going.

Back to the Perry Marshall Big Bang Theory . . .

I've been reflective about what the hell I'm doing in my business for a while. I'm a shotgun guy; not a rifle guy. I throw up A LOT of crap to see what sticks.

In contrast, Perry started with this tight little focus - got known - and now he's expanding. That's given him an audience; it gets him on calls - it gives him a foot in the door.

As the game becomes more competitive, it's an example to learn from. It's good marketing. And it's why when anybody says "Google Adwords" in a crowd of Internet marketers, everyone says "Perry Marshall".

Adwords Black Book

Something new and hot is about to hit the Adwords (pay per click) radar:

It's tentatively title "The Adwords Black Book"

It has a bunch of truly ass kicking tactics in it - stuff that I haven't read anywhere else.

The author is remaining anonymous -

John

Oh - a URL if you want an idea of what it's about http://www.adwordsblackbook.com