Beware of Plantfiles Copycat in Google Results!

I just googled "cosmos atrosanguineus plantfiles" and after getting the results I clicked on the familiar link title "PlantFiles: Detailed information on ..." expecting it to take me to Dave's. However, I was taken to another site that was full of ads. When I looked at the google results again, I saw that the address was indeed NOT Dave's. They are intentionally copycatting Dave's to mislead people to their site.

I search for Plantfiles results constantly on Google so this is going to be a real pain!

Just thought everyone would like a heads-up so they can be cautious.

Danita

Update: This copycat website is no longer showing up in the google results and hopefully it won't return!

This message was edited Feb 12, 2009 3:41 PM

Is it the third listing down here?, below the DG Plant Files listings?: http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&fkt=475&fsdt=4285&q=cosmos+atrosanguineus+plantfiles&btnG=Google+Search&aq=0&oq=&aqi=

Well, that didn't work. It showed the DG listings first and then this was the third one down:
http://rocky-mountain-columbine-flower.co.cc/chocolate-cosmos-flowers-plants/

Our PF is much better!

I NEVER go by the header listing in any Google search, always by the URL address. And I doubt they are intentionally copying, there are several sites that list things as Plant Files, two words instead of DG combined word.

This message was edited Feb 12, 2009 11:00 AM

By the way, when I Google a plant name, I don't add the word PlantFile, just the plant name and if the file exists here, it always shows up in the listing so I look for it that way.

I usually go by the url too because you can avoid a lot of bad websites, but clicking on "Plantfiles" has just become second nature. No more.... :(

This message was edited Feb 12, 2009 2:17 PM

Looking at that Colorado site, they do use the one word PlantFiles. Confusing and boring site if you ask me, we are spoiled here. ^_^

No, they definitely are being deceptive, because they are using the exact format and wording used by Dave's. The site is nothing but Ads and junk, not a gardening website at all.

Actually, I didn't type "plantfiles" at first either but misspelled "cosmos atrosanguineus" and that's when the copycat website first appeared. I searched again including "plantfiles" and got both Dave's and the copycat results.

I've googled plant names for years to get Dave's Plantfiles because the search feature here is a little cumbersome at times. This is the first time I've encountered someone so blatantly copying Dave's plantfiles to lead people to their site.

This message was edited Feb 12, 2009 2:21 PM

I just repeated the google search and the copycat website results are no longer appearing. :)

Hopefully, they won't return!

I always get to DG Plant Files by googling: Detailed information for _______ (enter plant name, either botanical or common name.)

If there is a listing in DG PF for that plant it usually always shows up at the top of the google page.

That is the exact phrase that this copycat website was using, so the listing in the google results looked exactly like a link to Dave's Plantfiles with the only exception being the url. That was the whole point of my warning.

Trust me, I KNOW how to google for Dave's PlantFiles. I've done it probably a billion times! :)

It seems to be gone for now though, thankfully.

Thanks for the heads-up!

Danita, great that you notified admin and that they took care of it so fast. DH and I marvel at how 'good' and professional the site is maintained and how responsive admin is. Gee, now if only other companies would do that.....I won't mention any names

edited for typo

This message was edited Feb 14, 2009 11:45 AM

DG admin didn't do anything to remove another site or sites using the same word, they have no control of that. The site linked above is still there.

It had to be Google that removed it from it's search generated results.

The site is still there if you click on the link that plantladyin posted, but it no longer appears in the Google search results.

Other search engines may still have this website in their search results, but I only use Google so I don't know.

Oh, I see. Well, I'll stand by my compliments to DG admin even though they are not the heroes in this saga.

Google must be on the ball then! Kudos to someone!! :)

I agree, DG is the best!

I have trouble with plant files too. Take s to logn to search adn if i miss spell I never find what I want. I us egoogle and always look for plant files and click. Have to look more carefully now and make sure I have DG.

Thanks for the heads up