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Seo

The Dirty Little Secrets of Search

How J.C. Penney gamed Google and became the top result for searches on everything from “area rugs” to “skinny jeans.”

David Segal New York Times Feb 2011 Permalink

Business

A Bully Finds a Pulpit on the Web

DecorMyEyes is a online eyewear store with an unusual business plan; the owner harasses and intimidates customers who complain in order to get negative reviews posted across the web, in turn making his website more visible to Google searchers.

David Segal New York Times Nov 2010 Permalink

Tech Media

My Summer on the Content Farm

The perpetually underpaid author takes a moonlighting job with Demand Media, publisher of search-engine optimized articles with titles like “Hair Styles for Women Over 50 With Glasses”, absurdity ensues.

Jessanne Collins The Awl Nov 2010 10min Permalink