Do Search Engines Have Your Best Interest at Heart?

A question was recently presented to me about how marketers may have had search engines pitch to run online marketing campaigns directly instead of working with an Online Marketing Agency. I haven't had this problem prevalently, but I have learned by other search marketers that this does go on. Turn over your campaign to the engine directly? Are you kidding?

Well I have to say that there may be instances where this happens especially since I know it has been brought to my attention recently. Search Engines, in my opinion, are probably not the best to manage a client's campaign as they are all about the almighty dollar - if they can help a client spend more money with their engine the better off they are and we as marketers we cannot deny that this is taking place.

I would say that a search engine has much more to gain by your advertising with them as they stand to gain increased revenue. But can they ever really "assist" you with your campaign? They can leave you no trust for those who really know how to manage an online campaign. While they can attempt to "educate" clients as to best practices with regard to their campaigns it seems at times that they are educating clients to spend more money with them so the engine can come out ahead. I could be wrong but it seems that way at times.

I encountered an event directly with a prospect of mine who wanted to stick it out with Google because they felt that Google reps were giving them enough information to assist in the management of a campaign. To be honest, based on the way this campaign was developed I can honestly say it was not in their best interest. I have also been on the forefront of reaching out to Google teams for help and have received very vague answers.

In my opinion, it makes sense to work with those who do understand the ins and outs of Search Engine Marketing because more times than not they will have your best interest at heart since they stand to make more if they show you results in the end.

Invest in an Online Marketing Agency or Not

You have JUST started an online business and you are now learning the ropes, what do you do? You are looking for someone to help you increase your visibility online and several people have approached you advising they can help. What do you do?

Research – Due diligence. Make sure you as a business owner have done the necessary research and due diligence related to the person/company you plan to do business with.

Most small business owners will start off doing their own online marketing with little to no experience, and they quite often get sucked into programs that insinuate they can assist with “more” traffic. Be wary, any company that asks you to “order now” or “sign up today” “Get top listings in 24 hours”, is more than likely just trying to take your hard earned dollars without benefit to you.

Take the time to review the website of the online marketing consultant, learn about what they have to offer, and speak to them about the benefit of consulting with them. Will they educate you in Online Marketing? Will they keep you in the dark regarding your Online Strategy? What will they really offer with regard to Online effort?

Most small business owners do not have the capital to work with the top Search Firms in the industry but that does not mean that they cannot do what is right, and research to find out which companies that are willing to educate them so they can not only understand the business but possibly start their own online marketing campaigns with the help of an agency.


Think about it.