I was an asshole to some good people who turned out to speak for me at SMX Advanced, and I’d like to apologize. In the debate over blackhat content that erupted after the show, I wrote of being embarrassed. We had excellent speakers who presented outstanding material, and I’m sorry my poor response to the criticism may have made them feel abandoned, upset or that I was embarrassed to have them take part. It was a terrible thing to say and impression to leave.
In particular, I’d like to apologize to:
- Greg Boser
- Rand Fishkin
- Stephan Spencer
- Adam Audette
- Hamlet Batista
- Todd Friesen
- Michael Gray
- Rob Kerry
- Roger Montti
- Jay Young
They all took part in several organic track sessions that were most discussed as part of the debate.
No, Advanced SEO Does Not Mean Spamming from me at Search Engine Land goes into more depth about my thoughts on the issues of blackhat content. I also don’t want to dilute this apology with a lot of explanation for why I commented as I did.
In short — I was tired at the time, coming off a show where I unexpectedly had some beginners thinking they should do blackhat stuff, and I was embarrassed at myself for not having anticipated this better and providing a better context for what was discussed. I wish I had expressed that better, rather than making it seem like it was an issue with the speakers. I’m very sorry for that.
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
Danny-
I think it is great that you realized that it did seem on your comments/articles that you were throwing those who did venture into more aggressive tactics under the bus, but I find it kind of weird that you apologize on your personal blog, when you were discussing it on the professional side. I follow your personal blog because I find the discussion lighter and amusing in some of the differences between living here and the UK.
I doubt this blog gets as much exposure as SEL does though, and I feel that you should back your speakers more publicly in the industry space that your original comments appeared.
Anyway, just an observation from someone who has been following the discussion. Good luck with your move and enjoy the summer!
Dave
I debated that, Dave. But my original comments were made on the Bruce Clay blog, and I responded originally there. In my own article at Search Engine Land, I said none of this and instead said “I thank the speakers at SMX Advanced that did this, who broadly shared knowledge that some feel ordinarily is only out there if you meet the right person in a bar.”
Danny,
I am a long time reader/fan of yours. We even met at the first and second SES in NYC.
Listen, you said it and you wrote it and it was your gut instinct. You are usually correct.
NO NEED TO APOLOGIZE because based on the list of names you have – yes some of those guys preach “black hat” stuff. Start marketers take it with a grain of salt. Many on that list are self-promoting un-ethical marketers and if you they have been saying black hat things at shows for years.
Your name gave credibility to the SMX venture and these guys are bringing down the credibility…..You know what you have to do, and it isn’t apologize…
Hey Danny,
As an observer, both at the conference and on the blogs, I certainly never got the impression that you threw anyone under a bus, and if you did, it was one of those buses that don’t hurt much when they roll over you.
My guess is everyone got up dusted themselves off and bought a few links.
Stuff like this is really not even worth attacking anybody over. Blackhat, whitehat, whatever. This is not about moral, this is about people trying to protect their own interests. Danny has done a good thing allowing these guys to be present. Blackhat is worth knowing in order to protect yourself from it.
Many of my friends have been victims getting their sites hacked and penalized because competitors hired BHs to do it for them. There are many new article out on how to do it.
You either get with the times and face the enemy, or you might be in for a big surprise.
This is like ultraliberal gun control. Let the market decide and push Google to implement their new awareness into better ways to protect and improve their algorithm.
Last time I check, DS did NOT work for Google.
Mike Dammann