Are these Black Hat Violations? What could happen?

[AustinBarton]

This post is deleted!

[gfiorelli1]

More than BH tactics, they are stupid ones.

Google Places:

1. it is the same of the keyword stuffing the HTML title of a web page. It is not suggested in the Google Places guidelines;

2. That also is not allowed accordingly to the guidelines

3. To buy reviews is the same than buying a link when it comes to Places. That is not allowed too.

PPC/SEO

1. Stuffing keywords in classic no no in the Google guidelines. I don't know about Facebook, but I imagine it is not a suggested tactic there too

2. That is not expressly forbidden... in the sense that you can buy keywords with the brand of your competitors and if the competitors have not protected them (they could do it simply asking Adwords to do it). Surely it has to be seen what conversion rate that tactic gives to your affiliate, if the landing is not showing - how to say - a comparison between themselves and the competitors, that could be an acceptable way to promote yourself.

Anyway, considering all, I would give a shout out to the affiliate in order to make him promote himself correctly... it is your brand behind what he sells and promotes.

[AustinBarton]

Thanks for the response. I would love to hear others feedback and how this could our franchise as a whole. What could happen to us?

[CompleteOffice]

In my experience with PPC campaigns, using competitors names as your headline in your PPC is a serious breach and can land you and them in deep, deep trouble, not only if google finds out (which they will in time), but also if your competitors find out, I can tell you for a fact, they will crucify you for this.

My Advice:

Act NOW and Act FAST.

Good luck.