[10400] in Public-Access_Computer_Systems_Forum
Re: Anatomy of a Netscam?
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (Kate Bozich)
Thu Jul 11 20:10:13 1996
Date: Thu, 11 Jul 1996 17:36:09 -0500 (CDT)
From: Kate Bozich <kbozich@thunder.ocis.temple.edu>
In-Reply-To: <Pine.SOL.3.91.960708103532.21916C-100000@cliff>
To: Multiple recipients of list PACS-L <PACS-L@UHUPVM1.UH.EDU>
Reply-To: Public-Access Computer Systems Forum <PACS-L@UHUPVM1.UH.EDU>
----------------------------Original message----------------------------
How does one buy a word? Can they do that?
Katherine Bozich
Temple University
Dean of Students Office
Student Media and Publications
215.204.7188 fax 215.204.1663
kbozich@thunder.temple.edu
On Wed, 10 Jul 1996, Julie Mangin wrote:
> ----------------------------Original message----------------------------
>
> "Anatomy of a Netscam: Why Your Internet Search May Not Be as Honest as
> You Think." Washington Post, July 7, 1996, Outlook Section, page C5. By
> David Corn.
>
> This article reports that Iron Mountain Global Information Systems has
> purchased the words "elections," "Republican," "Democratic," and several
> other words on the Yahoo site. What it means is that whenever you search
> one of these words, your retrieval list will include a banner ad that
> says, "Top Ten Political Sites." Here is a quote from the article:
>
>
> "What is a bit sleazy is that this "top 10" listing is not based on any
> qualitative or quantitative measure. It is not the 10 most popular
> political sites with cybersurfers. Nor is it an expert's judgment of the
> 10 best political sites. It is, in actuality, a listing of 10 political
> sites that are willing to pay IMGIS to be included on the list. IMGIS
> charges $3,000 a month for the display space at the top of the Top 10
> page; spots further down go for less. And on Yahoo! -- the most popular
> search engine -- the initial banner that directs a consumer to the Top 10
> site is not even labeled as an advertisement. The bottom-line: IMGIS is
> buying up key words in order to push Internet traffic to its clients'
> sites."
>
> %*%*%*%*%*%*%*%*%*%*%*%*%*%*%*%*%*%*%*%*%*%*%*%*%*%*%*%*%*%*%*%*%*%*%*
> Julie Mangin Depository Library No. 0092
> Librarian Internet: jmangin@nal.usda.gov
> Acquisitions & Serials Branch, Room 002
> USDA, National Agricultural Library Telephone: (301)504-6321
> Beltsville MD 20705-2351
>
