Comments on: More odd links on BBC Sport http://www.malcolmcoles.co.uk/blog/more-odd-links-on-the-bbc/ Where to find Malcolm Coles, reviews, and tips on how to do things I couldn't do. Mon, 25 Mar 2013 16:22:31 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.4 By: James B http://www.malcolmcoles.co.uk/blog/more-odd-links-on-the-bbc/#comment-21422 James B Wed, 16 Mar 2011 12:18:54 +0000 http://www.malcolmcoles.co.uk/blog/?p=5523#comment-21422 I have noticed unusual links appearing on the BBC Sport for a long time - recently with Betfair - and previously Fantasy League Limited. I actually have an email from the BBC in 2005 replying to a complaint about a link to the latter. This states that: "when we provide links to other websites it is as a service for the user. The BBC does not receive any payment for this, we merely provide links to sites which are related to the current site and, therefore, may be of interest to the current user. "Nevertheless, I realise that you may hold a different view on the matter. Therefore, please be assured that your comments have been registered and have been added to a daily log that is made available to the relevant production teams and Senior BBC Management." The link was taken down around the same time as I received the reply. I have noticed unusual links appearing on the BBC Sport for a long time - recently with Betfair - and previously Fantasy League Limited. I actually have an email from the BBC in 2005 replying to a complaint about a link to the latter.

This states that: "when we provide links to other websites it is as a service for the user. The BBC does not receive any payment for this, we merely provide links to sites which are related to the current site and, therefore, may be of interest to the current user.

"Nevertheless, I realise that you may hold a different view on the matter. Therefore, please be assured that your comments have been registered and have been added to a daily log that is made available to the relevant production teams and Senior BBC Management."

The link was taken down around the same time as I received the reply.

]]> By: buyer beware http://www.malcolmcoles.co.uk/blog/more-odd-links-on-the-bbc/#comment-21006 buyer beware Wed, 02 Mar 2011 07:44:23 +0000 http://www.malcolmcoles.co.uk/blog/?p=5523#comment-21006 Both seem to have gone from Google News results, just spamming Google News via press release publishers along with many others. Why does Google think press releases are news? Both seem to have gone from Google News results, just spamming Google News via press release publishers along with many others. Why does Google think press releases are news?

]]> By: buyer beware http://www.malcolmcoles.co.uk/blog/more-odd-links-on-the-bbc/#comment-20957 buyer beware Fri, 25 Feb 2011 11:31:07 +0000 http://www.malcolmcoles.co.uk/blog/?p=5523#comment-20957 Discountvouchers dot co dot uk is also badged by Google as a news publisher and appears in results for news searches alongside car rentals. Both websites are owned by asap ventures which publishes a blog here http://www.droug.co.uk/ If Google thinks that discount voucher and car rentals are news publishers then it does not understand the difference between news and SEO. God help the Google generation. Discountvouchers dot co dot uk is also badged by Google as a news publisher and appears in results for news searches alongside car rentals.

Both websites are owned by asap ventures which publishes a blog here

http://www.droug.co.uk/

If Google thinks that discount voucher and car rentals are news publishers then it does not understand the difference between news and SEO. God help the Google generation.

]]> By: Luke http://www.malcolmcoles.co.uk/blog/more-odd-links-on-the-bbc/#comment-20769 Luke Thu, 10 Feb 2011 10:40:32 +0000 http://www.malcolmcoles.co.uk/blog/?p=5523#comment-20769 I noticed Car Rentals pop up a few weeks ago when I was reading the story of a local murder. I used the BBC's feedback form to point out how inappropriate they are as a news source. I don't believe the BBC would sell links, I just think they are being (worringly) naive about the role, useage and power of links. External links have been their weakness for years - they don't know how to handle them and need some advice. I noticed Car Rentals pop up a few weeks ago when I was reading the story of a local murder. I used the BBC's feedback form to point out how inappropriate they are as a news source.

I don't believe the BBC would sell links, I just think they are being (worringly) naive about the role, useage and power of links. External links have been their weakness for years - they don't know how to handle them and need some advice.

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