"Related Searches"

1. 68

   Sue Adamsposted 12 years ago

   We lost the keyword feature but now a list of HP chosen keywords appears as "Related Searches"  in the side bar & at the bottom of Hubs. I believe that these so called "related searches" are actually links to Adsense & HP ads. I daren't click on them on my own pages to see. Is it not misleading to send readers to advertising as related searches?
   Just wondering...
   3 mins later...
   I clicked on one of those sidebar links in someone else's Hub and got to a whole page full of links to other more or less related websites.
   
   So it appears that HP is not only an articles farm, but also a link farm.
   Hmmm!?

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   1. 84

      Simone Smithposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      We're still experimenting with different tweaks with ads, Sue! I'm sorry if you don't like this configuration- I'm not in on the project, but as I undertand, this is a work in progress and our goal is to ultimately increase earnings for all Hubbers (just as our goal re: the QAP tweaks and changes is to help Hubbers ultimately get more traffic).
      
      TL:DR: We don't plan on settling with anything that isn't in your best interest re: long term earnings / traffic.

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2. 65

   psycheskinnerposted 12 years ago

   There has already been a thread on this. I agree that it looks sleazy and deceptive. Hubstaff position is that it is standard practice.  It also seems we (hubbers) get no earnings from people who go to that page.
   
   So.  I'm not impressed.

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   1. 52

      janderson99posted 12 years agoin reply to this

      I recall that Google got taken to task for not clearly identifying ads as ads.
      The "Related Searches" are adsense ads.
      It is the response of the readers that worries me - they don't like to be hoodwinked!

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3. 68

   Sue Adamsposted 12 years ago

   @psycheskinner
   Are you sure we don't get a share of that income psycheskinner? That wouldn't be fair since we supply the content.

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4. 65

   psycheskinnerposted 12 years ago

   The last thread went back and forth a bit, but I think it established that ads on that page pay out to Hubpages only.

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   1. 75

      wildernessposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      That's what I got from it, too.  I don't recall ever seeing a straight up "yes" or "no", but that was the impression I got - HP does not share that income.

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   2. 76

      sabrebIadeposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Well if that's the case I would like an opt out option so I can get rid of them.
      If they are not making me any money I dont want them on my Hub.
      Why not just use AdSense's buttons?
      They look kinda like that.

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5. 68

   Sue Adamsposted 12 years ago

   The previous thread:
   http://hubpages.com/forum/topic/110481
   has only 4 entries and nothing is said about us not getting a share of that income.
   Unless you have another thread in mind?
   It would be good to know from staff whether the "Related Search" income is shared or not.
   Are you there Simone?

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6. 65

   psycheskinnerposted 12 years ago

   There is another other thread.  It went for 3-4 pages. At one point one of the hubstaff said there was no way they could show other affiliate IDs on the related search ad page.

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7. 68

   Sue Adamsposted 12 years ago

   Thank you Simone, but you haven't answered the question:
   Do we get a share of the income from "related search" adds?

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8. 65

   psycheskinnerposted 12 years ago

   How does it add to hubber's income when it turns a visitor into money that goes 100% to hubpages? (Srill no really clear confirmation of that... because?).  And possibly annoys the visitor at the same time?
   
   I think hubber distaste for this approach is for pretty straightforward reasons.

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9. 68

   Sue Adamsposted 12 years ago

   I repeat a question asked 3 weeks ago:
   
   Do authors get their 60% share from "related search" ads?
   
   A simple yes or no will do Simone.

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   1. 70

      SmartAndFunposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Simone only answers once per thread, or so it appears from looking at other threads. You'll have to start a new thread, I think.

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10. 76

    sabrebIadeposted 12 years ago

    Or you could just keep bumping this one until someone notices....LOL

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11. 68

    Sue Adamsposted 12 years ago

    OK then, I'll start a new thread.

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12. 65

    psycheskinnerposted 12 years ago

    We are onto our 4th or 5th thread in this subject.  I suspect that answer will be a long time coming.

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13. 68

    Sue Adamsposted 12 years ago

    Well, let us be hopeful. Here is the new thread:
    
    Related Search Ads
    
     

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