You write about how bad squeeze pages are and then want us to go to one? Kind of makes your article sound a little questionable.

controversy eh? somebody better tell Dan Kennedy that direct marketing and long copy is dead, would you mind doing it?

The way that Squeeze Pages (or is it Landing Pages?) are described by Duncan, I would totally agree that they should disappear off the Web – boring long duplicated content without any good graphic inputs and just talking ‘Me, Me, Me’ all the time.

But I am sure there is another way. If a website has been poorly built or is not well optimized, then surely a good Landing Page can produce good results? One can also provide some additional links on the page so that people have other places to look before getting back to the form they fill in.

So all I am saying is: if you build a Squeeze Page in a smart way and not in a dumb way, and if you respect the intelligence of your readers, does it not still have value?

This sure is going to be a hot debate. Highly controversial. There are issues about adwords quality scoring and all, but does this really mean the squeeze page is dead?

When you say content, but as always on the web, it’s all about good content which is geared towards readers first and search engines second.

When your market sees you as credible and reputable, they’ll beat a path to your door and happily sign up for your email list.

I see you still mention people happily signing up for your email list, which makes me wonder what a squeeze page is and more so ater visiting your page it buffles me even more.

What’s a squeeze page someone?

That’s right.I see everyday gazillions of them and many times i don’t understand what offer me.I now that everyone need to build they list and sell more but it’s a offer to grab only my e-mail it’s better to forgot me.

Interesting… when you click on the author’s link for more information you’re taken to a squeeze page on his site.

I had never heard about squeeze pages until now but I wouldn’t have put anything unatractive on my website.
It would ruin all customer confidence that has taken me a long time to build up.
In my game: real estate, confidence is basic.

Very useful comment about squeeze pages. I’ve hardly used them for my site and, because of lack of content, I can see why the search engines are going off them. But – talking about their relationship to Direct Marketing – it shouldn’t be suggested that Direct Marketing is ‘dead’. Far from it! Most of today’s Internet Marketing techniques have been derived from old (and always successful) Direct Marketing methods. What is needed now (and what envariably will become Internet Marketing’s next ‘big thing’) is either a ‘tweak’ to another DM technique, or the resurrection of a previous one – brought up to date, digitized, tested – and released as a ‘new way’ of getting customers – to an unsuspecting marketing world. Question is … WHICH technique will it be… and WHO will find it first..?

I really loose interest while browsing such websites. This is a good step if google has really slapped those sites.

I am glad I am not the only one who think they are bad. To me, they are no better than spam, probably worse, for the waste me time when searching for things on the web.
Good article!

And what happens once you have read this article and click through… You end up at a squeeze page..heh

I found the article interesting until I clicked on his site link and it took me ot his squeeze page. No wonder Google is slapping content like that. It is awful. Miss-spellings, bad grammer, and sour grapes. Not much crediability there.

I agree with some of the points you make about squeeze pages, but I don’t think Google Slapping them will make any difference, as most of the traffic they recieve is via email lists.

That sad fact is that the product at the end of the Sales Letters /Squeeze Pages is utter rubbish.

Duncan:

Why would you sensationalize that these pages are dead, then use one in the authors box “effectively linking to the propaganda/squeeze page” of your own?

Tisk, tisk, tisk….

What’s funny about this article is that the author chews up traditional marketing specifically long form copy on squeeze pages, yet when you follow his link back to his web site what do you find?

Long copy squeeze……. Have a great day!

I had never heard of the term before.

Still trying to wrap my head around what exactly a squeeze page is.

Interesting none the less.

You’re good at sweeping generalizations. I have top ranked google ppc squeeze pages that cost $0.12 cents per click for terms that regularly cost between $0.33 and $0.50.

“Google Slaps Squeeze Pages”
– this is patently false, but keep thinking that if you’re so inclined.

“Squeeze Pages Can Sink Your Main Site”
-again…absolutely untrue. Backlinks determine search results. you wont get hurt by linking to a squeeze page on a relevant topic. If this was true, all of the thousands of ads on internet marketing blogs that send visitors to squeeze pages would hurt the blogs’ rankings. They don’t.

Try to keep in mind that most online marketers closely test all of their pages, especially their squeeze pages, and track the return on investment they are getting.

So I’ll state what is painfully obvious to me, but appears to be lost on you…
“If squeeze pages were dead, marketers wouldn’t use them”

Another terms of squeeze pages is “landing page”. it is simply a page with a form with minimal content to tease you / invite you to get more information by joining their mailing list.

@Mark Email to Squeeze page I dont think I can agree, most people are trying to grow their list by using these types of pages.

So they do Google adwords, or article marketing, video marketing , etc. Yes and I agree with you , they are rubbish

And Dan Kennedy is ALSO wrong today. 28 page sales pages are DEAD. People want instant gratification to their issues.

Screw Google!
I’m so sick in tired of everybody bowing down to the mighty God of the Internet, known as GOOGLE!
If google speaks, people listen!
If you’re old enough, you’ll remember that line from a TV commercial run by a firm known as E.F.Hutton. Has any body heard from them lately?
As for squeeze pages, I use them and if used correctly they can be a significant asset to your list building efforts. It also helps if you have a product or a service that your visitors want!
What is dead, Duncan, is the day of the FREE eBOOK and the FREE REPORT on some subject we could care less about. The last thing a struggling Internet Marketer needs is another stinkin’ opinion about the HOW TO’s of Internet Marketing!

I have been very successful at generating leads through my opt-in form, because I’m honest with my visitors and give them the things that have a positive impact on their lives!
Try that approach with your squeeze pages. Their not dead, you’re just doing it wrong!

Unless you’re prepared to offer some evidence don’t bother me with this longwinded nonsense.

EVERYONE knows not to duplicate content and to have links from relevant sites.

What is YOUR EVIDENCE and please, in less than 1000 words.

Put up a website and or a product that people want, advertise it and forget the squeeze page. Word of mouth is the best advertising anyway! Facebook, Twitter, blogging. Use it correctly and watch your site views take off!

Are you serious?

This seemed like a credible article and then I clicked through to his… Hold on, isn’t that a squeeze page? AND it had spelling mistakes. Plus their was an error message at the top of the page. If this fool is going to start scare stories about a highly profitable and effective marketing strategy then at the very least don’t take the reader to exactly what he’s trying to dismiss. In my opinion he’s lost all credibility.

@Donaghy If you want evidence, go read google Adwords blog and help site.

If everyone knows not to duplicate content, then why do some readers here not even know what a sqz page is?

Did anyone notice the hypocrosy of this article? Squeeze pages are dead, they’re unattractive, google is penalizing them. Then why is the author of the article using a squeeze page to market his lead software? Click on his website at the bottom of the article and see what comes up. Unreal!

If you do not believe me, here is the word from Google :

http://www.google.com/support/forum/p/AdWords/thread?tid=2d32bac3cce15914&hl=en

http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2010/06/our-new-search-index-caffeine.html = Whats new with Google Search

Why does everybody shiver in their shoes when it comes to the mighty Google?
Google is just trying to figure out a way to get a bigger slice of everybody else’s pie!
Look, I use squeeze pages and have had very good results with them. Squeeze pages aren’t dead Duncan, there being used wrong!
Trying giving your visitor something that will have a positive impact on their life, in exchange for their name and email address.
Hasn’t everybody seen enough FREE REPORTS and FREE eBOOKS!
Give your visitors what they need. A good idea, product or tool that will have a positive impact on their life, and watch your opt-in list G R O W !

This article was a hoot! Did ANYONE bother to click on his link at the end of the article? IT TAKES YOU TO A SQUEEZE PAGE!

What does a squeeze page look like?

I trust the author does a better job of defining his product in his marketing efforts than he did here.

What the hell is a “Squeeze Page”?

It is funny to see the author of this piece saying squeeze pages are dead, and then when one visits the authors page http://www.OnlineLeadFinder.com, which is supposed to be lead software to get around this, what do we get ? Another bad squeeze page with just what the author was railing against, e.g. with mis-spellings abound like “systemsused”, “I’vebecome”, “Pretendingthat”, etc. with the register now to get the lead. No good content here, just a squeeze page – “do as I say, not as I do.” hahaha

Does this page qualify as an example of a squeeze page? I’d love to know.

@James this is an Example of one of my squeeze pages http://formlm.sponsordaddy.com/

Now to the truth ( at least how we do it)

Most traffic to the squeeze page is from ads, not from ranking on the SERPs.

Not everything on the other “end” as stated is junk . I usually have a junk email for filling out forms just to be sure.

A squeeze page and a landing page used to be synonymous , somewhere along the way something changed. If you hae ever looked at the strategies of large corporations they “test” many different landing pages that have slight variations all the time, to see which perform better.

Lastly, to all those who are making the squeeze page that gives the landing page a bad name : you know the ones with an unidentifiable product/ service , consist of lengthy “testimonials” , and are a 3- 30 page process …STOP. They don’t work any more ! Invest the time and effort , or a couple of bucks a month if you don’t have the above to get a GOOD squeeze page !

Jami
http://myzipcodeadvertising.com

The Link to http://www.OnlineLeadFinder.com
was not posted by me, but by sitepronews. they took the article from one of my sites and put the link..

HOWEVER , that being said.. that site is NOT a typical squeeze page with a form. Matter of fact there is No form unless you choose to register on a following page.

WAKE UP PEOPLE

The article is in context to GOOGLE ADWORDS

I am not saying Direct Marketing is dead.. You are driving traffic from other sources to your page to grow your list

IF you are using GOOGLE ADWORDS,, then they are dead ..

@ josh , I think Google will have some changes to your ranking soon after the new algorithm change with caffeine reverbeates. Plus you also fail to go into the niche keywords you are using.. Maybe LONG LONG TAIL keywords can do that.. but how much traffic on those?

@Curt, @Bob, #Michael, @Scott, @Jeffery, @Ricky, @ Glasgow

You have missed the point and please explain to me how my site is a typical squeeze page?? Anyway- We are referring to Google Adwords. Gees Guys..

What does it say in the last paragraph

but as always on the web, it’s all about good content which is geared towards readers first and search engines second. When your market sees you as credible and reputable, they’ll beat a path to your door and happily sign up for your email list. And where the market goes, the search engines will follow; but no one’s flocking to squeeze pages.

@Rob wow you caught a few spaces missing between words .. good on you.. tx for the catch. fixed ..
still not a squeeze page.. LOL ..

This is a Landing Page with content DUH

I believe this article is really badly written.

Duncan, please look through the comments and adjust, surely I do not have to point out what is wrong with this mess?

Sitepronews … big slap for letting this article slip through.

@Nick .. why don’t you publish your opinion openly.. IF you don’t like it, please reply why you think its a mess along with your credentials as a web developer…

More References and Education for You Non Believers

Advanced Google AdWords tm – by
Brad Geddes

I am happy to tell you that next week we have Tim Ash Presenting
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Date: Tuesday, July 20th at 8PM eastern
Register here: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/262504291

Tim Ash is the CEO of SiteTuners.com, a landing page optimization
firm that offers conversion consulting, full-service
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improve conversion rates. During his 14 year involvement with the
Internet, Tim has worked with Google, Facebook, Verizon Wireless,
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to develop successful Internet initiatives. Tim is a
highly-regarded presenter and keynote speaker at Search Engine
Strategies, eMetrics, PPC Summit, Affiliate Summit, PubCon,
Affiliate Conference, LeadsCon, and eComXpo. Tim is the founder and
chairperson of ConversionConference.com the first conference
focused on improving online conversions.

Tim will be presenting this valuable webinar on landing page
design. Changes in landing page efficiency can dramatically improve
the profitability of your online marketing programs. This
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Umm…WOW!!

you say that http://www.onlineleadfinder.com/ isn’t a squeeze page because it doesn’t have an optin form on it?

It’s a 2-step squeeze page. Click the register link and you go straight to the optin form.

It IS a squeeze page, and a poorly executed one at that. The Launch Formula Marketing is built on the concept of a squeeze page followed by a one-time offer.

Squeeze pages aren’t dead and they wont ever be dead. Marketers use them because they focus the visitors attention on completing ONE desired action by limiting all other options.

Are they a little bit annoying? Only if the visitor doesn’t want whatever the squeeze page is offering in exchange for the email address. If that is the case, then the ad that drove the person to the page in the first place is probably misleading and needs to be changed in order to frame the visitor better. More links on a page = more chances that the visitor will leave the page without taking the desired action = more chances that the advertiser has wasted their money. As long as they give marketers higher ROI’s than standard pages, squeeze pages will continue to be found on the web.

I disagree Josh

Look at a typical squeeze page. Limited content and a form only.

Google HATES that. Read what they say on the Google Adwords Forum.

Building Credibility, Having a Good Call to Action, and Links to take you deeper into your site (rather than away from it )

For somthing different!
No! Squeeze pages are not gone or will Google effect How they get ranked,

It’s all 2.0 marketing and it’s impossible to block or even controll the level of them comming out!

Google Would be waisting their time in making that effort. matter of fact SP have increased and so has charging a monthly fee to earn a monthly income.

I’l tell you What Craigslist Email scrapping is Dead! Repeat it’s dying and we all know that anyone charging $$ to scrape from these places is a bottom feeder.

Use SEO, Use Real internet marketing, Do the analytics,
Help your local businesses
Thats what on the move is local online business promotion!
o.k. back to work

Mr Web – Please provide your evidence

You can read further information on my blog / and collected from Google site

Why Google Adwords Will SLAP you for Squeeze pages

http://www.duncanwierman.com/blog/page/2/

Evidence from Goolge

http://www.google.com/support/forum/p/AdWords/thread?tid=2d32bac3cce15914&hl=en

http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2010/06/our-new-search-index-caffeine.html

Great information! I’ve been looking for something like this for a while now. Thanks!

Interesting discussion, but page indexing is never the goal of a landing page anyway …

You keep saying that google says it will SLAP you for squeeze pages..

where exactly does it say that?

I think Google is against “thin” affiliates. If you read their guidelines they seem to be very clear on that. So if you as the searcher are searching for Tae-bo for example, they don’t want the searcher to see the Tae-Bo site and then 6 clones of it because they will essentially appear the same to the searcher and that’s a bad search experience and next time they might not come back to Google.

Lead generation is definitely one of the goals of landing pages that Google describes….

“Slap” is only a marketing term I used. Yes, you are correct, they don’t want thin affiliates, nor duplicate sites .

Lead Generation can be also achieved with call to actions, and other on page technology.

Thank you. Correct!
The point of this article was using Google Adwords # 1 and then Search Engine Rankings.

Sure, use squeeze pages to email lists, or after you have already educated them on an article or blog site

Guys, eventhough I do not appreciate the way Duncan wrote his article, I must say he is right about Adwords not liking webstes that lead to squeeze pages, landing pages or any sort of page with an opt-in.

I am a real victim of their procedure. My quality went from 10/10 to 1/10 form one day to the other.

Now let see some intersting things about PPC. 1. People are not clicking that much on paid announcements 2. Keyword rates have gone to the sky 3. Adwords is leaving small to none space for people wanting to make a living out of e-marketing

Bottomline, PPC has changed and it is not attractive now.

With the new reality of Adwords I can’t think of anyhting else but that old phrase:

The King is dead… long live the King

Now we should say:

PPC is dead… long live SEO

I find it ironic that someone who sells a software that scrapes community sites like Craigslists for peoples e-mail addresses is saying that squeeze pages are unappealing to readers… yes, and spamming random peoples e-mail addresses who you harvested off a community site is?

I fail to see what one has to do with the other.

Squeeze pages versus Craigslist ?
You are talking apples and oranges.

Btw..
The software is NOT about scraping Craiglist!

The software is about finding leads in general over multiple lead sources and if you look at the software in its entirety, Craiglist is just a small part.

Matter of fact, the software also gets physical addresses, telephone numbers, contact information, etc..