If you're so inclined, set up a monthly reminder to check that same Google query "blake bagshaw advisor" and monitor the results.
What we see time and time again is the launch of these sites that scrape the SEC database, publish profiles, the profiles appear high in search for a short period of time (I give it 2-3 months) and then without meaningful domain authority established, these profiles drop and drop and drop in the Google ranks.
We've seen this happen at Brightscope, Indyfin, AdvisorCheck, among many, many others.
Even financialadvisors.com - I would love that domain, but they've squandered it, proving even a badass domain name doesn't matter if you don't establish the Domain Authority that demonstrates credibility.
With this said, Warmer has good pedigree founders, so maybe they plan to play the long game and can pull it off as an alternative to SmartAsset / WiserAdvisor style model.
Note - This is the same strategy SmartAsset has done successfully (massive Domain Authority) but even there, the profiles they create for advisory firms - just like the Warmer profiles created for advisors, are "stealing" the SEO from advisors to funnel leads into their matching tool.
For example, whether you search for the name of an advisory firm and click on "their" profile on Smart Asset or Blake's profile on Warmer, it's stealing clicks from people googling the names of these advisors or firms and routing those clicks off the firm/advisor profile to help them "find an advisor" in their audience who is paying them to appear in their matching algo.
My pleasure, Joe. 100% stealing SEO. Check out the page below for Ritholtz on SmartAsset, for example.
If you're a consumer and scroll down and see the section labeled "Ritholtz Wealth Management Background" and then just below it - and prior to the next section about Ritholz - you see a form asking your age and sucking you into the SmartAsset form, a typical consumer is - reasonably and logically - going to think they're starting to be matched with a Ritholz advisor. Why else would they be on this page? Because they're researching Ritholz, right?
Classic bait and switch. Yes, if you read the fine print below the form, SmartAsset discloses what it legally needs to disclosure, but c'mon. Really? Is this experience in the Best Interest of the prospect on the page? 😅
If you're so inclined, set up a monthly reminder to check that same Google query "blake bagshaw advisor" and monitor the results.
What we see time and time again is the launch of these sites that scrape the SEC database, publish profiles, the profiles appear high in search for a short period of time (I give it 2-3 months) and then without meaningful domain authority established, these profiles drop and drop and drop in the Google ranks.
We've seen this happen at Brightscope, Indyfin, AdvisorCheck, among many, many others.
Even financialadvisors.com - I would love that domain, but they've squandered it, proving even a badass domain name doesn't matter if you don't establish the Domain Authority that demonstrates credibility.
With this said, Warmer has good pedigree founders, so maybe they plan to play the long game and can pull it off as an alternative to SmartAsset / WiserAdvisor style model.
Note - This is the same strategy SmartAsset has done successfully (massive Domain Authority) but even there, the profiles they create for advisory firms - just like the Warmer profiles created for advisors, are "stealing" the SEO from advisors to funnel leads into their matching tool.
For example, whether you search for the name of an advisory firm and click on "their" profile on Smart Asset or Blake's profile on Warmer, it's stealing clicks from people googling the names of these advisors or firms and routing those clicks off the firm/advisor profile to help them "find an advisor" in their audience who is paying them to appear in their matching algo.
"stealing SEO" is an interesting thought for sure! Thanks for your added insights, Brian!
My pleasure, Joe. 100% stealing SEO. Check out the page below for Ritholtz on SmartAsset, for example.
If you're a consumer and scroll down and see the section labeled "Ritholtz Wealth Management Background" and then just below it - and prior to the next section about Ritholz - you see a form asking your age and sucking you into the SmartAsset form, a typical consumer is - reasonably and logically - going to think they're starting to be matched with a Ritholz advisor. Why else would they be on this page? Because they're researching Ritholz, right?
Classic bait and switch. Yes, if you read the fine print below the form, SmartAsset discloses what it legally needs to disclosure, but c'mon. Really? Is this experience in the Best Interest of the prospect on the page? 😅
https://smartasset.com/financial-advisor/ritholtz-wealth-management-review