OK,
since I am not in the REnet anymore and I really could care less about it other
than a few juicy bits of gossip I hear from time to time like this company or
that company going under or not paying employees or contractors, I’m going to
let my bitch off the leash on Trulia today. Why, you ask? Well, 1. My inner child really loves to say “I
told you so” and who does not indulge their inner child from time to time with
a well deserved pat on the ass (NAMBLA should love that one)? And, well, 2. Because Eric Bramlett, some
other peeps and even little ol’ me said something
about 6 moths about how Trulia might have some black hat SEO issues with Google
in the future for cloaking partner pages in a deceptive way and holy mother of
fucktacos (I’m trade marking this one- don’t steal it), the gang was proved
right yesterday. People started
noticing Trulia falling out down the Google SERPS.
If you are so horribly offended by the F-word it will cause you to try to "save my soul" in the comments of this post, please do not read past this, do not pass go, do collect extra AR points and go directly to my follow up post that chronicles the Top 5 Breakup Tweets From People I Don't Know After Writing This Post and Join Them in Their Unfriending, Unfollowing, Unsubscribing Glory. Oh, yeah, and please be sure to tell me every conceivable reason you feel the need to break up with me even though I likely do not know you, because you wouldn't want to let me miss out on feeling the loss of the great bond we had but you never notified me of.
What the fuck happened?
Well,
if you got this far into my post, you are probably thinking, “What the fuck
happened, Mary? - explain it to me in a crass, bitchy way so I totally get it.”
Start
with this - Thank you to Brad Carroll of Dakno for telling me about it and
asking me for a quote I somehow forgot to get to him. But hey- here’s a link and
some traffic instead. And below is my comment that is awaiting moderation but I
could completely understand if Brad did not want to publish it as, well, I am
Mary McKnight and I say the darndest things.
My comment, manifesto, autopsy, dear John
letter to Tulia
…awaiting
moderation over at the best real estate blog
company on earth, Dakno (I learned how to be link whore from Kevin Tomlinson,
the sauciest Miami Realtor I know -
(wow, I actually feel dirty now giving link love like that, but I kinda like
it.))
“Hey Brad - sorry for the delay in getting over here - had a glitch in my
Matrix. I think that is just one more failure on Trulia’s part. They have
failed in every way to support the very people that made their network what it
was, Realtors and Brokers, then started directly competing with them in the
SERPS and doing it in a sleazy way. Eric Bramlett is vindicated - he has the
right like the rest of us to say “Trulia, I told you so.”
I love the excuses. When all else fails, blame “hacking.” That is just
awesome. So, Trulia, instead of admit your SEO geek might be a douche bag, you
are going to say one of your blogs was insecure and was hacked? Well, done, do
you even have a PR person because I have a jar of strawberry jam that would like
to apply for the position. It’s a bit fruity but at the end of the day I can
assure it can patch the hack on your blog.
Dear Trulia,
Your awesomeness never ends, please trill me with more of your Internet
escapades.
Hugs, kisses, a sharp needle full of whatever they zap jailed retards in
Texas with,
Mary McKnight, your biggest fan”
Cliff Notes:
In
May 08, Trulia basically said, “hey, Realtors, we think you dumb, like so dumb
it is a fucking miracle you breath in and out without the assistance of an iron
lung so we are going to nofollow all your links to your websites and listings
on our site so we can keep all the link juice and essentially screw you on
Google. Trulia blames bad PR, wow, PR made you act like an asshole? I need to
let my publicist know about this Public Relations to Asshole algorithm. This is an important scientific/business/sociological
discovery.
In
June 08, the illustrious Eric Bramlett Catches Trulia cloaking pages (not
necessarily bad but they did do it like a Jerry’s Kid on Ritalin, most people
suspected Trulia would eventually get some sort of penalty for it.)
Then somewhere in here Trulia also got accused of using hidden text. Now,
the evidence here is about as flimsy as the evidence that supports OJ Simpson
is really just a fluffy bunny with a Daddy issue but I’m still gonna mention
it. I don’t actually believe this was a major problem- it was CSS set to display
none and was used reasonably. But because peeps got pretty pissed, told on
Trulia to Google, Google actually seems to have roughed them up a bit for it
and knocked them out of some SERPS for hidden text use.
The
beginning of the “I told you so, Trulia” saga: Real
Estate Net Gossip: Is Trulia black hatting and Overstock.com scraping listings
from Vflyer? (you really don’t need
to read this post- but scroll to David G of Zillow’s comment that basically
says “following my advice might break “the Internet"” I have a superpower - advice that breaks the
Internet!!! Imagine my relief to realize
my bitchiness is tempered only by my advice. Wait- that deserves a nod to the
BBC’s IT Crowd:
Cloaking is a black hat search engine optimization (SEO) technique in which
the content presented to the search engine spider is different to that
presented to the users’ browser. This is done by delivering content based on
the IP addresses or the User-Agent HTTP header of the user requesting the page.
When a user is identified as a search engine spider, a server-side script
delivers a different version of the web page, one that contains content not
present on the visible page. The purpose of cloaking is to deceive search
engines so they display the page when it would not otherwise be displayed. Read more from wkipedia.
Link Love From Mary McKnight, Hearts and Kisses with a PR 4 on top.
Oh yeah and because I have like a PR4 on this blog and feel like whoring out
the few peeps in the REnet I do LOVE - here
are my picks for REnet companies you should do business with and/or read because
they are good peeps, funny, smart, dashing, debonaire and have good ethics:
Homegain - you can buy leads and get
a well SEOed blog
Dakno - best freakin’ REnet blogging
company on earth and well, Brad’s Dad is way cool.
Zipvo - they are like this big deal.
They do something with video for real estate.
I don’t really know but they are from Andover MA (my hometown near
Boston - so they get props for that) and one their guys let’s you steal the
shirt off their back.
Bloodhound Blog
- because I just think Greg Swann is awesome and if you don’t read him, you are
pretty much an idiot and he is one of the few people I know in the REnet that
does not need to be placed in the Witless Protection Program - (read: the boy
is funny and sardonic (get used to looking shit up in Wikipedia if you intend
to read Greg)).
I am not a conspiracy theorist, but I highly suspect that commenting on my blog may cause AIDS to turn into LemonAIDS, a tsunami to form in the Antarctic and a penguin to fend for its life against on an island with 10 hungry PETA peeps. So, you have that.
Michael,
I had fun with both my tattle tale on Trulia posts. I'm not the biggest fan of them and I think Realtors need to know what they are getting into when they add their content and listings to those mega sites.
Thank you for finding uses for "fucktacos" - I think we need to add it to the urban dictionary. I once read if you can use a word 3 times in a day you own it for life. Let's all embrace the word and make it part of the collective consciousness. However, I do want to point out that I also finally managed to work NAMBLA into a post. That right there has be like worth some sort of huge AR points prize.
Well Mary...you have such a way with Words, maybe start a new group in AR "Mary Unleashed"..Just remember I thought it up.The Gods might prefer "Mary Leashed"
Good News Trulia is not in Canada, so far we do not compete with them.
Google did the right Thing, lets hope Google is Slow to let them back.
Have a Great Day with the Gods...Cheers, off to our Re/Max Conference which starts today in Victoria.
Are you Really Coming...that would be fun :O))
PS: I notice AR does not have Trulia in their Spell Checker :O))
Mary, thanks so much for bringing this to light. We're all working our butts off to rank, and it's important to stay mindful of things that can derail our efforts.
So, I am guessing that that is the official "no" on the getting extra points for working both NAMBLA and fucktaco into a single post. Damn. I really looking forward to points. They taste great with salsa.
Does AR really think they are so high and mighty, they can criticize you for using your 1st ammendment rights? Do you get more points if the <s>douchebag community builder</s> AR rep "appreciates your contributions?"
In general, most Realtors are pretty dumb. Sometimes it takes a few fucks and a NAMBLA (North American Man/Boy Love Association for those too lazy to google it) mention to make a point. It cracks me up that with all the supporting evidence, and some of the celeb-bloggers discussing it, it supposedly loses credibility for being sensationalized - yeah, like that hasn't been done before.
The topic, tone, language, and amazing acronym reference, are all what's needed to help spread the word about the evil (read: bullshit) Trulia empire. If you had just sprinkled this with rainbows and unicorns, my guess is, it would have just sat here, unnoticed, and all the dumb little Realtors would have continued their daily chores of adding content to Trulia, blogging about the weather, and striving to earn tremendous points on AR (to prove they're clearly the most qualified in their area).
The way I see it is you've given your loyal followers a reason to bail on Trulia - which is CLEARLY the correct decision (again...fucktaco you Trulia) - and now maybe they'll find the time to actually get off their asses and actually go talk to REAL people instead of spending time trying to be popular in the REnet world.
Well said Mary. I've had a pretty rocky relationship with Trulia and their business model. And I love the way you put these. I just don't have the guts to reblog them.
Everyone is entitled to their opinion. And I NEVER EVER use anything but my real name - I am proud to say my thoughts. I am happy with my thoughts and I said what I mean in a way that would be shocking because I wanted to do it that way much in the way I went after Seth Godin. I think quite a few people know who Joe is - if he wants to tell you who he is - he will, but I cannot take credit for his comments. I don't need to be defended by others. And I certianly don't need to make up people to defend myself. I'll say what I think as ME and ME ALONE. As far as the TOS, never even looked at it - sorry. Won't do it again and AR is free to TOS me off anytime. People that don't like me don't have to read me here or anywhere else.
I am not a changed person, I just am a person that now gets to say what she wants because the REnet is not where I make my money anymore. I personally have found the "changed" comments so amusing as I see them from people I don't know so how on earth could they or you assume you "know" me enough to recognize a change? It is and has been personally funny to me that for all the years I have been in the REnet - nobody ever found any of my other writings on the web unrelated to RE - this is how I write for just about every other thing out there and as far as credibility goes... much like beauty - it is in the eye of the beholder - I don't need it from everyone and nor would I want it from everyone.
I know you and I know you have changed. Just as soon as my femur bone heals I want to buy you lunch and see if you can help me understand where you're going (or coming from) with all of this. While sensationlism sells, I can speak from experience, it with not help you to develop long term business relationships. Please know you're welcome to give me a call anytime. My number hasn't changed and I'm still here :)
P.S. Do know I'm not trying to gang up on you or anything like that. I'm just trying to understand.
Before I read all of these juicy comments (thanks mary, I can't take one more "stats" post)---
I have to say, love her or hate her, or hate how she says it, the b*tch says it. Though some may find Mary's style disgusting, I find it refreshing. If I find another well-mannered, politically correct post so watered-down, I will fore go my nightly ambien and read that post instead.
Mary say it sista. Potty mouth and all. We are all adults here and truth is, anyone could find something about every post offensive.
If Mary's sensationalism offends than, well, ok! I do have to say that AR may need a few f*cktacos thrown around to entertain us all.
Let's get back to the point of the post. Trulia has RAPED the real estate industry and Mary's right.
I think "SAUCY" is just fab enough not to be boring and scandalous enough to be noticed!
OFF TOPIC: I think that Obama can wear whatever the hell he pleases in the Oval office. And for those who dare tell The President of the United States of America what he can AND shouldn't do IN HIS office, is ludicrous.
I can understand AR's TOS. No problem with that AT all.
I learned something from a very wise and top-producing Miami real estate agent: let people be who they are, or want to be.
AR: If you don't like Mary, ban her.
Readers: If you don't like how Mary says what she says, don't read her.
But for all of you to come in here and "comment" on how she should or should not communicate her message is:
1. a waste of YOUR time
2. wrong.
If she implodes or becomes the next Madonna or Matt Drudge, OR Ann Coulter---who gives a f*cktaco?" Worry about yourself and how YOU want to be perceived--don't worry about Mary, she doesn't need your worry (I'm guessing).
Commenting on her style is a waste of your time.
I would love if AR would include the word "ftaco" in the array of it's captcha words. Hysterical.
Mary is my friend. She has been my friend for many years, I care about her, her present, her past and her future. My comments are between Mary and I. I read Mary's blog because she has taught me so much. I hope to allow her to continue teaching this old Cat new tricks.
As far as Trulia goes, anyone paying attention knows Trulia has been walking a fine line for a very long time. It was just a matter of time before it blew up on the web.
Hey! How are you feeling? I hope better! I really wasn't at all thinking about you when writing those comments. At this point, TLW, you are TLW--you can say what you want!
People tend to go down the same old boring road and gang up on people. Really, if AR has a problem with Mary (which they can if they like) ban her. To see "you not being a good girl" and "you now suck" comments is boring and very George Bush-era.
I'm getting better. Just taking one day at a time and trying to keep a smile on my face. Thank you for asking. I have a long road ahead of me as far as rehab goes, but that just gives me time to blog :)
I did think you were referring to me so thanks for clarifying. And you're right I am TLW and I can say what I want. Right now I am reaching out to her because I care. I always have...I always will. She and I go back a long ways and are very much alike. Scary thought huh? :)
Okay...I gotta go...Take care my friend. And I leave you with one really excellent thought: Never underestimate the power of a comment from someone who really cares :)
Yes, you have definitely straddled it flawlessly. Thank you for the support and actually hearing the point. And I think anyone who tells anyone else what to wear in their own home is pretty rediculous.
TLW,
I can see your points and I consider you my friend and thank you for your friendship. However, I have not changed as a person, I have changed my online personality ad writing style to be match what the book and my business is now - I am doing what my publicist wants me to do, getting the attention and business I need and since I don't make my money in the REnet anymore, I like to stir the pot from time to time over here and be completely amused by the comments. Nobody needs or has to read me anymore- I am not relevent to the REnet anymore and I made that clear when I started posting on Sacrilicious. The stuff I do now is really more mainstream and off the wall. It's like Cracked.com dipped in Seth Godin, wrapped in Ann Coulter. People who want that will read it and get it- people that don't won't. I'm pretty indifferent to how people feel about me or my posts - I care a lot more about my family and my business and this kinda crazy stuff is what is makig both of those do very well.
LOL. This is so funny I cannot contain myslef. Please continue to debate my credibility and win. Also, please call my publicist to announce this win, her name is Imal Wagner. She will love and more importantly look forward to this very victory. Dear Lord, I need to come back to AR more often and see the results of my work.
Just wanted to let everyone know that most of the search results pages that went mysteriously missing on Google are now back.....We didn't change anything on our site so it seems to have been a technical issue and not a penalty as some have speculated......
Yeah, I love people who come in and delete theri comment so they don't seem like such an a**. I think if you can't stand by your words you have no business saying them in the first place. But, I just consider those types of people pansies.
Wow. Edgy as hell! And I'm not just talking about the utilization of explicatives, anybody can do that. This is damn smart and witty to boot. And look at TLW, all diplomatic and shit. Gotta love her:)
As far as Trulia, it never really did it for me. Hell, I'm by no means a SEO expert, so what happened with all that is lost on me... but there's only so much time in the day that I will devote to Social Networking of any kind, and I already probably spend too much. I made a meager attempt to take part there, but that lasted about as long as a midget trying to wrestle a lamb chop from Janet Reno.
For future consideration, I take my popcorn buttered.
Helping Realtors learn to successfully write and promote their real estate blog. Online success is not magic, it's knowledge and most of time, it’s free. My focus is to give Realtors the tools and knowledge to affordably succeed online through search engine optimization, search engine marketing, blogging and proper RSS implementation.
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;)
;)
Does commenting on your blog make me a target for the moderators? LOL. Quite the rant, albeit apparently supported.