Microsoft has said a lot about Smart Tags. And it is Microsoft
who claims this is a "smart" idea.
I'm not a fan of Microsoft products. Still, there are real
benefits to all software developers and PC users in the
uniformity from system to system that Windows provides. But
if Microsoft makes this move, it's a step too far. Here's what
Smart Tags will do.
==> Advertisers will agree to pay a fixed amount for a click on
a keyword. As at GoTo.Com, keyword "ownership" is subject to
a higher bid.
==> Website pages downloaded from any website to any computer
using Windows will be scanned for these keywords.
==> Those found will be highlighted and converted to links
to the advertiser's site.
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I've heard talk of Smart Tags for some time. There has been
an awesome hue and cry of opposition. I was glad Microsoft
responded by deciding against including this "feature" in their
new XP operating system.
Then The Other Shoe Dropped
Something just as "good" as Smart Tags is already here. And
it's ugly. Here's a quote from The San Francisco Chronicle.
"TOPtext is an example of 'contextual advertising,' the latest
attempt by online advertisers to reach the eyes and minds of
Web surfers. TOPtext turns existing words on a Web page into
hyperlinks that redirect a computer user to the advertiser's
site." Read the full article by clicking
here
or here.
KaZaA is using a plug in to IE (Internet Explorer) called TOPtext from
eZula. For details, please see
Is Someone Hijacking YOUR Visitors?
by Bob Smith. For some screen shots
of results, check this out on Bob's site. (It's a must, for once seen, you won't forget it.)
My Most Valuable Assets
My most prized business assets are not things, but visitors.
The path to profits on my site, as on many, is to first generate
a subscriber. Through "STAT News," I'm able to build the
credibility that brings the sale.
By adding a link on "small businesses" on my subscription
sign up page, my most valuable potential asset is being lured
to another site. I lose. Someone else grabs the gain.
On my home page, the added link under the ebook I'm selling
seeks to steal a potential sale. The advertiser pays maybe 15
cents if the link is clicked, and I lose the potential of a $29
sale.
Since the link is redirected, the user can not return to my
site with the Back button. Thus it is unlikely he or she ever
will. This is grim at best, but ...
What Matters Most
While I remain concerned about such theft, I am more
concerned about my credibility. Most surfers are not computer
experts. Most will never recognize these links were added by
software running on their system. They are quite likely to
believe I am recommending this company. That I am in fact
suggesting they leave my site to go to this more important
destination.
What will happen to people's view of me if I "link" to a
company with a publicly recognized bad reputation? Or to someone
I directly oppose? Or to one I totally mistrust? If this isn't
crystal clear, consider a link from your site redirected to a
p o r n site.
The "New" Ebook Revolution
Several of the most popular ebook compilers link to IE for
display. (My ebooks do; this may change soon!) Imagine what
gibberish TOPtext can make of an exquisite ebook page.
The future of ebooks remains uncertain. Sure, they'll be
around. But the format is now up in the air. It's a blow to
a lot of people heavily committed, some with profits not yet
rolling in.
The Insidious Factor
One of the things that makes this such an ugly evolution is
that webmasters may never know it's happening. Further, there's
the obvious impact of slowing download speed, because of the
additional time to add the links. And this matters. But it is
minor compared to what your pages will look like.
Just how does one design a great looking, carefully polished
site that can hold this appearance when randomly highlighted in
yellow?
What Is Microsoft Thinking?
I don't know if Microsoft is in any way a part of this
particular "experiment." But the effects are so much like the
results they expect from Smart Tags, it is difficult to accept
this implementation as a coincidence.
I suspect Microsoft will watch developments with great care.
If they can figure a "better" plan, will they implement it in
Windows? If so, then whatever browser is in use, results will
be the same. And MS will be in a position to control the
advertising. There is inconceivable profit potential
in this.
Legal Possibilities
I have no doubt that this issue will be brought to court.
I've a picture of a Ford site reacting to "truck" highlighted
on their site with a link to a Chevy site.
This part of the tale may prove interesting. I'm fascinated
by the following notion I don't believe has come up before.
If you buy a book, you may deface it in any way you please.
It will be argued that since the downloaded page is on the
visitor's computer, they own it, that the user (or software
selected) can therefore do as they please with it.
To me, the way in which a page is delivered to a visitor is
immaterial. It's my creation. Excepting for limitations in my
coding, I expect my visitor to see it as created.
A Boon To Advertising?
Maybe. It is something entirely different to webmasters
who have spent agonizing hours building site content.
How will this end?
I can't even guess. But if it does not, the Web as we
know it now will be history.
