Pssst – Hey buddy ...wanna buy a Keyword?
Warning: before buying browser related keywords, be sure to read this.

About once a week we're receiving the same question regarding browser-related "Internet Keywords". In every case we are asked if we think it's a good idea to purchase them "while they are cheap".

First of all we must clarify the difference between search engine keywords and browser-related keywords. Keywords, in regards to search engines, are words and phrases that you type into a search engine's search field to produce a search engine generated search result. Browser-related keywords are words or phrases that one might type into the URL location (Address) line of a browser like Netscape or Microsoft's IE – in other words, the field where the http://www.domain.com typically goes.

Ok, now that we are on the same page about the difference between SE keywords and browser-related (BR) keywords, we can move ahead to explain what the purveyors of BR keywords hope to accomplish with their scam, uh ...enterprise.

What to look for

Many of these offers are being made through affiliates, some of which are quite aggressive in their marketing tactics. In the case of one company we know of, they contacted ex-RealNetworks customers via telemarketing campaigns. In many cases the actual company selling the keywords is hidden from the customer so you don't exactly know who you are dealing with.

Their favorite tactic, however, appears to be email – chances are you've been spammed more than a few times over the past few months by these guys if you're a domain name owner. We get two or three spam emails per day soliciting some variation of this 'program' offered by many different affiliates and companies.

Here's the actual content of one of these many solicitations -

Hello techsupport, Did you know that if I typed in any particular word or keyword phrase that is connected to your business, using Netscape, Explorer, or AOL browser I could be immediately sent to YOUR WEBSITE! Our technology can do this for ...