Those who see a “terrible problem” with keyword advertising on certain phrases may be biased towards their own case. There is such a thing as fair use. And as my above example shows… free speech!

As someone who must know everything there is to know about AdWords, I try these things from time to time. Some get offended and some even send lawyer’s notes.

Anyway John, I hope you took it as a compliment. If you prefer it if I didn’t run ads in “your name space,” just let me know. I’m not wedded to them.

Although… I do cover the tactic at length in my e-book. Since March 2002 I’ve been advising advertisers to try advertising on celebrity names (eg. a figure skating retailer could advertise on “Sasha Cohen” for .05 or .10 — since it’s an often-costly auction, that’s important), just to see what kind of results it might generate for them.

Great Blog — Keep up the good work!

We are seeing a huge problem over in Europe with companies (well Ebay actually) spamming the CPC markets (e.g. biding on search terms such as “Iraq” & “because” – what’s happeneing to standards!!)

With so much work being conducted at getting the Algo space right, seems anything goes in the commerical sector – real shame (and where does this leave us in tomorrows world… with futher explotation of the DB of Intentions?)

We are relying on respected Journo’s like your good-self to start taking these companies to task (e.g. trust, data, privacy, ownership)….but make sure you get enough interviews for the book done first

looks like http://www.traffick.com are bidding on your name on Ad Words.

Did you give them permission? Moreover unless you are infact your own registered trademark, can you stop them? (well at least if you want too.)

I dont know where Overture’s editotial policy sits on this either?

http://www.watercooler.homestead.com

Atul