Yes, I get these obnoxious requests too. I tell them I will evaluate their site based on our collection development criteria and make a decision on linking after that. Usually, I don't even bother going to the site... I just file the email in the virtual circular file. :) ------------------ Donna Winter, Automation Services Librarian Livonia Civic Center Library 32777 Five Mile Road Livonia, MI 48154 ph: 734-466-2675 ----- Christian Dunham <christian@carolibrary.org> wrote:
Greetings All,
Yet again I have received another email from a person who wants me to review their company's website and add it to our library's website. I get these frequently enough that it concerns me they are targeting all of you as well-they are link-baits, a scam.
Their website they want you to post onto yours are usually review sites for some service. The latest request was for a site that reviewed online tax services, while other ones usually deal with college preparation or finances in some manner or form. I have received dozens in the last few years. All of them come from a real person (not a bot) who usually has no business or contact information attached to their signature, and they almost always are using a personal email address like Gmail or Yahoo. The person contacting you will often tell you the other places that have used their website, and often word their emails congenially like a used car salesman. They are persistent too: they will message you repeatedly until they receive a reply back.
Their sites look legitimate enough, but their real goal is to have people click to external sites so their own website generates revenue. Basically, you are giving them an opportunity to make money everytime a patron clicks on one of their site's links. I suggest you shamelessly steal the links their sites link to and host them on your own site, if you are inclined to do so.
Example:
I was asked to link to a Tax Review Site: http://www.reviews.com/online-tax-software/ -- If you click on the first option, TurboTax, it will take you to a page of paltry reviews. If you hover your mouse over the orange button: "Get Started" you'll notice the site it adhoc's to for revenue: LinkTrackR, known software site for advertising companies: http://ww3.linktrackr.com/ -- While it will take your patrons to Turbotax.com it does so after it generates a little bit of revenue for the original host site.
Personally, I don't like to see my organization's website play fiddle so deceitful parties can make easy money. This particular example was easy to spot, but other ones aren't. If it seems too friendly and helpful, and it's free, hang on..
Cheerio,
Christian Dunham
christian@carolibrary.org
989-673-4329 ext. 106