How to beat /domainname/state/city

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How to beat /domainname/state/city

Mark

9:56 am on Feb 28, 2023 (gmt 0)

A web dev buys multiple keyword domain names and each has a .../state/city page for all major cities in USA. Each city page is basically the same SEO spam and a phone # to call. The leads are sold by subscription to someone local.

I run a local business with a legit, no fancy tricks web site. Any suggestions how to beat this apart from doing the same thing on my own site?

Each city page is goofy nonsense that makes no sense when read by a human. It's bad, really bad, but sentences are formatted somewhat correctly and has all the right seo words. Dumb seo bots run the spam to top of results page and push legit businesses to the bottom. Google, bing, brave, they all do it.

Report as spam to search engine? Report as spam to ISP? They just buy another keyword domain and start same drill all over again. Or is it buyer beware and dumb humans shouldn't fall for such nonsense?

Thanks for any help/advice.

not2easy

12:49 pm on Feb 28, 2023 (gmt 0)

Hi Mark and welcome to WebmasterWorld [webmasterworld.com]

I wouldn't waste time or effort reporting it. Such patterns are generally a moving target. There are methods to take a site to the top, but staying there is a different trick. If your site has what people are looking for, you can build stronger local relevance and come out ahead.

tangor

1:29 pm on Feb 28, 2023 (gmt 0)

@Mark ... glad to have a new member!

G, B and the rest are already putting together tools that identify AI created content. Expect UPDATES to the search algos in the near future. As it currently stands AI is being used to generate content spam that is only MARGINALLY better than the spin craft of the past.

Reporting it is a waste of time on your side. The search engines will do things at their own pace when ready. This shiny new toy will eventually lose all luster and its back to nose to the grindstone to get best results!

Mark

6:43 pm on Feb 28, 2023 (gmt 0)

Thanks for the feedback!

I don't think it's a problem for major cities where lots of results are available, but for smaller markets with fewer results the algos think they found something relevant and push to top. Same for larger industries, not a problem for "city-name electrician (plumber, landscaper, etc)". Smaller vertical market I'm in and there ya go.

Frustrating that the algos can't recognize such obvious manipulation. Each city page is 95% the same with different city/county names in the content. I'm sure all pages are script generated since the volume is too much to do manually. Big enough wall of text that potential customers don't bother reading they just call the number if one is available. Sneaky, sneaky!

TessCompton

9:50 am on Sep 14, 2023 (gmt 0)

I get the frustration with spammy SEO tactics. Reporting it to search engines can help, but also focus on your genuine business. Quality content and local SEO can win in the long run!