Is Nokia Guilty of Blog Comment Spamming?

I started thinking it might be someone just building up some kind of online profile for other purposes, but the MO with so many examples suggests a strong connection.
It is most likely a subcontractor working for Nokia, though marketing PR based not SEOs – I frequently catch otherwise legitimate SEO firms comment spamming on my blog for clients.

I’m not sure if these people are really trying to promote (spam) Nokia by Commenting on Blogs but what I do sense is, they are trying to get your trust by placing a link (brand) you know and then spam later with the links of their own.

When I say they are trying to get your trust, it means the IP from where they post comments. Few blogs auto-moderate comments, if these links slips through in (which means their IP being authorized to post comments) they later spam with tons of links and the blog moderates them due to the fact the IP is in authorized list.

If you do manual authorization, you know what you do… I really believe this is motive for the spammers of above.. but I might be wrong. I would never believe Nokia commissioned some spammy marketing agency to do this!

What’s your thought about this Patrick? Do you really think they are trying to promote Nokia or trying/eyeing your trust on them to spam the sites later?

Hey. I’ve got a great new Nokia phone. You can buy one to from shop.nokia.com.

Sorry, I couldn’t resist….

It will be interesting to see how Nokia respond to this Patrick as they are a very credible brand in the online PR and social media space, doing some great work.

It would be unfortunate if it is a case of bad old fashioned Astroturfing, even if it wasn’t planned or commissioned by them. If it a case of sabotage, then that’s really serious stuff….there is no place for this kind of strategy through social media. It’s counterproductive and unethical.

If it is an example of a PR, SEO, social media or full-service agency being a bit over zealous and heavy handed, creating SEO PR to either a) impress Nokia enough to get themselves on the agency roster of b) testing an SEO PR campaign then they have forgotten one of the golden rules of PR/social media engagement – TRANSPARENCY.

Call me an old cynic, but the correct use of punctuation in staceyM2’s post makes me think that this might not written by someone who naturally would say ‘pretty sweet’…. I’d love to be proved wrong though.

StaceyM2…..where are you? Can you clear this up for us?

Yeah, looks like I Spy Search are the ones doing it. They mention Nokia here too:
http://www.ispysearch.com/team.html

I’m sorry if I’m being brash, but this is a major corp. I’d out them like a Bulldog!
Good on you for doing so quite well so far.

Perhaps Nokia will open some high PR blog space for the little mom & pop shops
to post links.

Again, well done catching and sharing this!

Thanks Nick. I appreciate your honesty and don’t want the issue to drag on any further than it has.

Daniel – blog commenting is 100% fine, blog commenting when you do it under a false name isn’t.

That’s where the line is.

It’s not about spamming, it’s about transparency. According to IABC code of ethics, among others, you MUST say who you are when you speak on behalf of a company.

Brilliant post Patrick. I think this is the first time I have seen a UK SEO Agency actual get caught out for Black Hat SEO Techniques and let’s be clear, this is for a major client.

I do have to admire Nick though for responding as opposed to avoiding the situation.

Agreed, transparency is key. It’s better to be honest and upfront as opposed to sneaky comments.

Anyone who owns a blog will normally know IP Addresses are tracked when comments are left, I think you done well Patrick to spot this and think more Blog owners should do the same.

I really need your help.

I have an assignment in reference to finding out information about Nokia in general. I need the best blog sites that are more likely to provide me with the following information; the type of “best practices” or productivity improvement projects that are are actually being installed (e.g ISO 9000); the estimated cost of such projects; and their completion times.

I need this information preferably tomorrow so immediate response are most definitely welcomed (needed in this case, being that I have to submit this on Monday) lol.

Please email me responses as soon as possible once again. Thanks in advance.

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More than likely they used an external SEO consultancy probably one based abroad who did the comment spamming. This is why people should make sure they are dealing with a reputable company and really get to know the techniques that will be employed on their behalf.