Companies should understand that their marketing needs to be explained to the front-line staff so they can then get better feedabck on the leads that marketing is generating.

But then it’s because they’re NOT targeting student loans? Is it just me…?

Using a subdomain (much as you would a sub-directory) you can create a duplicate site that is exclusively in one language. You can then track each site separately in Google Analytics and tell Google Webmaster Tools which country each is targeting (if relevant).

Generally, Google does a good job of prioritising the correct subdomain based on the language settings of the user.

Even if SEO was their motivation, the end result is what matters and the final page was a sales pitch. Companies need to remember their website is their voice, the content their message. Blaming SEO, even if that genuinely was the reason (which it doesn’t appear to have been) isn’t a valid excuse for what a company says on their website.

However, trying to be fair, I do often encounter businesses that want to rank for phrases that aren’t appropriate due to lack of content and will adopt various techniques to add keyword-rich text. My approach to this is that if someone wants to rank for a service they don’t offer then they should publish a guide or factual information – “evergreen” content. At the end of the day it’s the organisations responsibility for what ends up on their site so if it isn’t suitable then they shouldn’t allow it to be published.

The whole marketing piece was flawed and irresponsible and it’s good that people complained about it, good that Wonga removed it. Even better, SEO has performed a great service in helping it be found and removed.

I would think it shouldn’t matter what browser you use because Google is independent from them, but I guess the browser influences search results despite Google’s algorithm.

Thanks for the article!