Competitor using shady SEO tactics but still ranks at the top in Organic listings

[pidot]

A competitor of my client has been ranking consistently in the top 2 spots in the organic listings on Google for years. They have the advantage of keywords in the URL but no matter what we do we just can't bump them out of the top position.

Recently we discovered that they have 7 or so .org sites set up claiming to be run by volunteers and their opinions are un-biased that "highly recommend" products from the main site's company.

Is this against Google's policies?

I've submitted a spam report to Google but of course haven't heard anything back from them. Our AdWords rep told us that the policy team doesn't respond directly to claims because of privacy reasons?

Anyone know any other way to report things like this to Google?

We got dropped from the rankings for 3 months due to malicious code (spammy links) injected into all the pages on our site but these people sit steadily at the top. I don't get it.

[sesertin]

I don't get it. If I ask my friend (volunteer) to blog about my products, or set up a page or whatsoever claiming that I sell the best products in the world, why is that against google guidelines?

[EGOL]

...but no matter what we do we just can't bump them out of the top position.

What are  you doing?  Maybe your methods are ineffective?

Recently we discovered that they have 7 or so .org sites set up claiming to be run by volunteers and their opinions are un-biased that "highly recommend" products from the main site's company.

If this was my competitor I would be thankful that the volunteers are not being put to better use.

Anyone know any other way to report things like this to Google?

What rule of Google have they broken?  KW's in the URL and getting volunteers to work on .org sites are not against any google rule.   So, reporting them will  not accomplish anything.   Maybe your client can purchase a new KW domain and get enthusiastic volunteers to write awesome blog posts, become active posters in a kickass forum or produce other great content that is all hosted on his/her primary domain?

Tell us more about your site and the methods you are using.  Maybe you will get some great ideas for strengthening your site.