aboutbusinessconsulting.com http://aboutbusinessconsulting.com Business Consulting Services - Business Consulting resources, links, and help at aboutbusinessconsulting.com Sun, 21 Feb 2010 17:01:15 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 en hourly 1 Over 100 Different Resources for Marketers to Start http://aboutbusinessconsulting.com/2010/02/21/over-100-different-resources-for-marketers-to-start/ http://aboutbusinessconsulting.com/2010/02/21/over-100-different-resources-for-marketers-to-start/#comments Sun, 21 Feb 2010 17:00:32 +0000 admin http://aboutbusinessconsulting.com/?p=293

How do new marketers learn SEO and Pay Per Click? How do professionals stay current with search marketing tactics considering the sheer volume of social media distraction?  Below are the top categories selected by readers. However, we’ve taken it a step further and listed over 100 different resources for marketers to start, maintain or advance their level of SEO, PPC and any other type of search based marketing. Enjoy!

Search Engine Marketing Blogs

SEO/SEM Blog Aggregators:

Testing Tactics on Your Own Web Sites

Search Engine Marketing Forums

Paid Subscription SEM Communities

Search Engine Marketing Webinars

Search Marketing White Papers, Research, Special Reports

SEO & SEM Email Newsletters

Online Groups for Search Marketers (Facebook, LinkedIn, Ning)

The Big SEM Conferences

SEM Consultant/Agency Advice

  • TopRank Online Marketing – That’s right, we put our own agency :) – The reality is, your current SEO/SEM agency or consultant should offer some kind of ongoing education and/or training on top of ongoing consulting services. If not, call us!

Print Magazines

Offline Networking Groups or Meetups

Books on SEM

Niche or Regional SEO/SEM Conferences and Workshops

Search Marketing Industry Web Sites

SEM Workshops, Training & Certifications

Search Marketers on Twitter

SEO & PPC Focused Podcasts

What did we miss? Please share in the comments.

]]> http://aboutbusinessconsulting.com/2010/02/21/over-100-different-resources-for-marketers-to-start/feed/ 0 How a Business Consultant Can Help You Grow Your Business http://aboutbusinessconsulting.com/2010/01/26/how-a-business-consultant-can-help-you-grow-your-business/ http://aboutbusinessconsulting.com/2010/01/26/how-a-business-consultant-can-help-you-grow-your-business/#comments Wed, 27 Jan 2010 04:51:47 +0000 admin http://aboutbusinessconsulting.com/?p=290

Most people mistake professional business consultancy as a troubleshooting exercise that a company undertakes to manage crisis. Even the business owners, especially the small and relatively inexperienced ones, have similar notions and avail of their services only in cases where management looses control. However, services offered by professional consultants need not be bound by such limitations. Business consultants, in fact, are third party experts who influence how businesses, as well as governments and institutions make decisions.

Business consultancy services must be availed to look at issues related to business in a broader perspective. Consultants, helped by their expertise in a particular field, as well as being from outside the company, can see things from a point of view which the owner or the top management may fail to see, because of their being deeply involved in the business. Here, business consultants would weigh the pros and cons of the strategy and the situation, often with a fresh perspective, and advice accordingly.

Often staying out of the main picture, business consultants provide resources, which the clients may not be in a position to provide for them. Usually, this resource is expertise, which may come by experience, knowledge, creativity or special skills. Time and workforce are other resources, which the client might not be able to spare, which can be provided by business consultants. Business consultants are either management consulting firms or Technical consulting firms, with expertise in their respective areas. Management consulting firms advise on various aspects of corporate operations such as marketing; finance; corporate strategy; assembly line or other manufacturing processes; information systems and networks, data processing; e-commerce; and human resources.

On the other hand, technical consulting firms provide technical advice relating to non-management activities, including compliance with various safety and health regulations, technology application, and scientific knowledge in fields like biology, chemistry, and physics. There are many large consulting firms which provide expertise in more than one area.

Many small and medium enterprises feel that consultancy services are only meant for large organizations and are really not suited to smaller companies. Many also feel that it might not really be worth appointing consultants as they are a costly affair and that increased revenue as a result of their services would not be at par with the costs involved. Nothing could be further from truth, as big as well as small and medium enterprise benefit from business consultancy and there are many consultants who are more than happy serving smaller clients.

Business consultants advice on business start up, help make business plans, formulate marketing strategies. These are the services related to business management and it directly affects the bottom line of the company. Apart from these, there are scientific and legal consulting services, which help firms follow the legal aspects of the business that are required to be followed by law. For example, a manufacturing or utilities firm might hire environmental consultants to assess whether the firm is meeting government emissions standards, in order to avoid penalties before government regulators inspect the property in question. Necessary changes can hence be made before a potential problem arises.

Thus, instead of shying away from appointing consultants, what is required is to identify the right consultant which would help the business and who would have the correct expertise required in that particular case. This would not only help the company to focus on their core activities, but would also ensure smooth operations which will ultimately reflect on the profits as well as the overall growth of the company.

]]> http://aboutbusinessconsulting.com/2010/01/26/how-a-business-consultant-can-help-you-grow-your-business/feed/ 0 E-Business Consulting – Advantages and Disadvantages http://aboutbusinessconsulting.com/2010/01/26/e-business-consulting-advantages-and-disadvantages/ http://aboutbusinessconsulting.com/2010/01/26/e-business-consulting-advantages-and-disadvantages/#comments Wed, 27 Jan 2010 04:49:08 +0000 admin http://aboutbusinessconsulting.com/?p=288

The Internet market can be a complex landscape for the novice entrepreneur. However, in this age of advanced technology, and with the services sector expanding at a phenomenal pace, one can find a consultant for almost all business related requirements, including the increasingly popular e-business of today. E-business consultants take it upon themselves to help you to understand the intricacies of the e-business world, so that you are equipped to develop and implement winning marketing ideas, to make your business venture a success.

There are mainly two forms of e-business consultants available: paid or free e-guides, or e-business consultants, online and books. Both these provide very useful insights about handling various e-business related issues. Let us check out both, beginning with e-business consultants.

E-business Consultants:

They will help you with practically everything, from advising you on your choice of system to providing help with the installation process. The main advantage of these consultants that they reduce your workload. The consultants will share a lot of your burden. All you need to do is specify your requirements, giving the details of your choices and your budget, and the consultant will help you to acquire it.

Good e-business consultants help you to analyze your specifications and then devise a workable technical design accordingly, plus installing all the required software, hardware and network requirements, in addition to identifying the most cost-effective solutions. They also offer training, or arrange for it, and provide on-going support.

The only disadvantage of e-business consultants is the cost. The consulting fee varies anywhere from $25 to $250 per hour, depending upon the experience and the skills of the consultant. They also quote per-project based fixed fee as an alternative option to the hourly rate. Before you choose any of the options, you need to compare both carefully, and make sure that the one you choose is clearly mentioned in the contract you make with them.

E-business guidebooks:

E-business guidebooks are inanimate consultants that help in handling all kinds of issues related to an e-business. Apart from helping entrepreneurs by way of developing a business plan, you can also consult them to design and operate your website, find out how to get the website registered, find a suitable Internet service provider, and what computer equipment would be required for operating a website.

These guides also help budding entrepreneurs to avoid quick-rich schemes on the Internet and posting the privacy policies on the website. They also provide tips of how to market your business in the best possible manner, in order to differentiate your company from that of your competitors, including the various methods of advertising like making use of online communities, chats, blogs and forums, or banner advertising and podcasting.

Some guides also help entrepreneurs to find safe order solutions. They also provide tips on how to use the website to accept purchase requests, and sell software or other downloadable items. This module also includes tips to fight against viruses, and how to protect the website and computers with anti-virus software. However, of course, they can only solve common problems. If unique problems crop up, these guides would be of little help.

Both the consultants have their own advantages and disadvantages, and it is up to each entrepreneur which consultant they select. The size of the business can help in making the decision. If the business involves more than 50 PCs, then it is probably a better idea to involve a human consultant, rather than a book, so that a round-the-clock support system is available. And if the business has only two to three PCs, a guidebook can be more cost-effective and informative.

]]> http://aboutbusinessconsulting.com/2010/01/26/e-business-consulting-advantages-and-disadvantages/feed/ 0 Start Your Own Internet Consulting Business http://aboutbusinessconsulting.com/2010/01/26/start-your-own-internet-consulting-business/ http://aboutbusinessconsulting.com/2010/01/26/start-your-own-internet-consulting-business/#comments Wed, 27 Jan 2010 04:37:23 +0000 admin http://aboutbusinessconsulting.com/?p=285

Do your friends come to you with every question under the sun, because they know you are the most resourceful one in the group, the “Center of Influence”? If so, why not refer them to a company you started, provide products and services priced in such a way that makes you both affordable and competitive and make some extra cash?

There are many good companies out there who offer services that you refer business to. Sure they may give you a referral fee, or compensate you in some way, but they are making big bucks off of your networking abilities.

We all want to live the American dream (get married, buy a house and become a business owner). Now you can be the CEO of Your Network. Here is a list of ways to do that:

1. Put together a list of services that you yourself can complete.

2. Add to that list all of the other services you would normally refer out and include that in your company offering of services.

3. Make an arrangement with the company that you would have normally outsourced the business to and “white label” their services. That way you get the job completed and your own company gets all of the credit for the quality work.

4. Add the completed job to your portfolio and now you can say you offer everything under the sun.

What you have accomplished in all of this is:

1. Created a company for yourself.

2. Helped your friends and network with whatever services they needed to be completed.

3. Made some extra cash on the side!

Most businesses fail not because they do poor quality work, but because they have trouble finding the clients to do the work for. If you have a large network, that means the heavy lifting has already been done.

]]> http://aboutbusinessconsulting.com/2010/01/26/start-your-own-internet-consulting-business/feed/ 0 Challenges with Start-up Consulting Businesses http://aboutbusinessconsulting.com/2010/01/26/challanges-with-start-up-consulting-businesses/ http://aboutbusinessconsulting.com/2010/01/26/challanges-with-start-up-consulting-businesses/#comments Wed, 27 Jan 2010 04:21:54 +0000 admin http://aboutbusinessconsulting.com/?p=282

Consulting business start-ups face many challenges in the early days. As a start-up, your consulting business may not have any clients, brand equity, contacts, cash flow or even business cards! Weaving your way through the start-up obstacle course can be trying — to say the least.

When I started my consulting business, I was full of confidence, but not much else. I had to learn about taxes, bookkeeping, invoices, contracts and other business basics. I had a good grasp of starting and marketing my business, but I was suddenly faced with managing client politics, chasing unpaid bills, taking debtors to small claims court, and dealing with “non-consulting” aspects of my consulting business. Early on, I’d expected to spend my time on pure consulting. I soon realized just how complex a “simple” home-based business like consulting can be.

All these years later, I’m pleased to say I’m still consulting. And that should serve as encouragement to anyone else who wants to become a consultant — or simply continue to survive as one. You see, although I had a steep learning curve in becoming a consultant, I managed to get to the top of that curve. Of course, there was another curve after that, but it wasn’t quite as steep. Making it over the early hurdles is harder than anything else you’ll face in your consulting career. But, if you stick with it, you’ll get there.

]]> http://aboutbusinessconsulting.com/2010/01/26/challanges-with-start-up-consulting-businesses/feed/ 0 How to Start a Marketing Consulting Business http://aboutbusinessconsulting.com/2010/01/26/how-to-start-a-marketing-consulting-business/ http://aboutbusinessconsulting.com/2010/01/26/how-to-start-a-marketing-consulting-business/#comments Wed, 27 Jan 2010 04:18:54 +0000 admin http://aboutbusinessconsulting.com/?p=280

There are some things to keep in mind when launching a marketing consulting company. You should remember that even small mistakes up front can have drastic effects later in the process. Below are some situations to avoid when starting a new marketing consulting company:

Don’t undervalue your employees – These days, most companies don’t care about their help because they see people as an expendable resource, when in reality there is too much lost in training and skill when you have to constantly hire on new hands. Having a strong base of core workers with knowledge and experience is worth paying a little more and treating them right. What you get in the end is immeasurable in terms of quality, and besides, if you lose them, how entrenched is the client with that person? You might be firing your business as well as your workers.

Don’t ignore the client – Many marketing consulting companies make the mistake of taking too much control in the advertising process. You need to remember that on any project, the stakeholders have the final say, so encourage their input and make changes when necessary.

Don’t take more than you can handle – Many times a company will overextend its reach by not saying no. The philosophy of satisfying all that you can in the short term never works, because as you spread yourself thin you lose the ability to focus on quality. Remember, there is no shame in passing up work to maintain a quality relationship with an existing client who may buy more in the future. Screwing up a $10,000 job is not work losing $50,000 of continuous work for the rest of the year, so take what you can manage and do it right. Your clients will notice and appreciate this.

Don’t knee jerk – So many businesses make detrimental and permanent decisions based solely on their last 30 days of business. Remember, the market isn’t always going to be great, so don’t expect it to be. If things take a sudden downturn, look at your past numbers and wait to see where things go from there. If the market is following a trend, then it’s not worth it to cut employees or other costs to handle a temporary problem.

Don’t market yourself through every channel – Despite popular opinion, most companies can get by without any direct marketing and advertising. Remember, no matter what service you offer, there’s always someone else who can offer it just as well, so get the best kind of advertising; your clients will talk you up if you do well, and that is worth more to businesses than all the ads in the world. For an example of a company that never marketed itself and succeeded, look at Starbucks. They never once filmed a commercial or radio spot, and I dare you to find a magazine ad for their stores, yet their coffee is know the world over simply by word of mouth.

]]> http://aboutbusinessconsulting.com/2010/01/26/how-to-start-a-marketing-consulting-business/feed/ 0 Internet Business Models http://aboutbusinessconsulting.com/2009/07/05/internet-business-models/ http://aboutbusinessconsulting.com/2009/07/05/internet-business-models/#comments Mon, 06 Jul 2009 04:09:01 +0000 admin http://aboutbusinessconsulting.com/?p=262

Unlike traditional models of running a business in the bricks-and-mortar world, techniques to generating revenue online continue to evolve and be defined.

These website business models are as follows: the Ad Units Revenue model, the Subscription Revenue model, the Commission model, the Data Distribution Revenue model, eCommerce, and Build to Sell.   Below are descriptions of each model with some examples and advantages.

The Ad Unit Revenue Model
Displaying ads on a website is one of the most popular approaches to generating revenue. The Ad Unit Revenue model works best when the volume of traffic is high or very targeted. With this model the assumption is that visitors to a website will be attracted by the related advertisements. Both contextual and/or image based banner ads are displayed on top, beside, under, and in between articles, services, search results, or other published materials. Many of the earliest websites employed this method and it continues to be popular today.

The Subscription Revenue Model
This model generates revenue through subscriptions to a website’s premium content such as articles, videos, audio, software, tools, and applications or service. The offering is information or service that cannot otherwise be easily acquired.  This model works off of economies of scale. Once a break-even point of memberships is reached, every additional subscription is strictly profit. An example of  a “pay as you go” version of this approach would be Slashdot.com. The Subscription Revenue Model is sometimes combined  with the Ad Units model.  However, if the subscription is a paid one, ads are less likely to be presented.  National newspapers or magazines in print often use this model to establish their online presence.

The Commission Model
This website business model is based on generating revenue by taking a percentage of a sale. eBay, PayPal, and Priceline.com are best examples of the Commission Model, where the item being sold is not owned by the website administrator but available via  referral. This approach relies on the advantage of offering a hassle-free way of selling personal items and products through a website that promotes and brings in the right prospects. As a pay-per-performance approach the affiliate pays commission only after a sale is made. Arbitrage is another form of this model that has to do with buying of traffic in bulk and reselling it and/or making profit using other business models. Here’s a scenario of this approach in practice.  You bid on  pay-per-click keywords for a word that directs the visitor to a landing page with multiple advertisements. Instead of paying on your own for each click, in this manner you share the expense and still have fewer competitors to fight for attention. With enough clients, the re-seller of the bulk purchase can make profit on each keyword.

The Data Distribution Revenue Model
This approach is exemplified by  websites that sell  their network contacts or data about its consumers and their habits.  The Data Distribution revenue model is about providing valuable material for target marketing initiatives. Online business directories, like the Yellow Pages, and newsletter distributors like the Apple store that sells audio files, and Amazon’s Kindle are perfect examples of this approach.

eCommerce
This most recognizes model is employed by websites that sell products and services online, and are referred to as ecommerce websites.  Selling products online is a lot less expensive then selling in a traditional retail store.  Advantages of eCommerce include less overhead, more efficiency, and the ability to track visitors’ experiences. This approach is a natural progression for a typical retail store that wants to expand its market reach into the online world.  Amazon is the most renowned example of this business model. Online stores will continue to grow in popularity as people become more comfortable buying through the web and as more different products and services become available.

Build to Sell
If a business model’s success is measured by a track record of sales, this model could be the most valuable to a purchaser. The Build to Sell approach refers to a website’s approach that builds a strong online presence with the goal of selling it to another company that can capitalize on its online value. The website’s value is established either with its domain, value in its website application, content, number of members, or  high position in the search engine results, and/or all of the above.  Mostly used during the 2000 Internet boom, this model still has a lot of potential.

It’s difficult to say if one approach is more effective than another in generating greater return. As with traditional business models the success equally dependents on the value of the proposition being offered. It’s important to keep in mind that none of the methods are exclusively independent. Variations of the basic website business models can create levels of effectiveness that are as unique as each business – with the objective of healthy revenue growth, of course.

]]> http://aboutbusinessconsulting.com/2009/07/05/internet-business-models/feed/ 0 Starting an Internet Business – Questions and Answers http://aboutbusinessconsulting.com/2009/07/05/starting-an-internet-business-questions-and-answers/ http://aboutbusinessconsulting.com/2009/07/05/starting-an-internet-business-questions-and-answers/#comments Mon, 06 Jul 2009 03:54:33 +0000 admin http://aboutbusinessconsulting.com/?p=259

Starting an Internet Business.

The growing popularity of the World Wide Web coupled with advancements in technology have paved the way for average person with no business background and schooling to succeed in the online business world. It has been estimated that half of all computer owners now run and operate their own Internet business. Each and every year these numbers rise as more and more people discover the convenience and money making potential of running their own Internet business.

Right now there are hundreds of thousands of people around the world who make a full-time living from working online. There are also just as many people who use their Internet business to generate a second income or to simply make a few extra hundred dollars each and every month.

What Is An Internet Business?

Starting a  Internet business can be  any type of business or work that a person carries out online in order to produce income. These types of businesses are specific to the Internet, meaning that all business is conducted over the Internet and there are no “in person” dealings. These types of businesses are very easy to come by and are additionally very simple to run and operate.

Starting a Internet Businesses – What Kinds Are There?

There is no lack of variety when it concerns the type of Internet based business that a person can choose to embark on. However, one of the most popular Internet based businesses is the running of an ecommerce store. Opening and running an online store is also one of the easiest and cheapest online business ventures that a person can choose.

Creating and running ‘content heavy’ web sites with the addition of ad-revenue programs is another popular online business. Entrepreneurs will create content rich web sites to generate high web-traffic and will use adshare programs like Google Adsense or Adbrite to generate substantial monthly incomes. Many of these entrepreneurs will also run ‘content heavy’ blogs in place of websites in order to generate income.
These are just two of the most common types of Internet businesses that people will consider. However, there are hundreds of proven and effective Internet business types that a person can choose from when establishing their own web-presence in the hopes of generating income.

What Can I Sell When Starting a Internet Business?

The possibilities are endless when it comes to what you can sell online in order to generate revenue for your Internet business. Many people will go the E-Bay route and will sell their personal belongings or items that they have purchased in their general area. However, in using this method, business owners will have to deal with the packing and shipping of all items that they sell.

This is why many people choose to deal with online warehouses. They can then stock their own online store with products from another website. When an order is made it is sent to the online warehouse and they deal with all the packing and shipping. With this type of online business the business owner simply sits back and collects their paycheck each month.

You can sell anything that you can find on the Internet in your online store. This includes common household products, clothing items, music, books, movies, and other electronics to name a few. You can also sell subscriptions to websites or even specialized services.

How Soon Can I Start Earning When Starting a Internet Business?

Many people imagine that they will begin earning money the very first day they open their first Internet business. However, that is generally not the case. Most Internet business owners who do put in the work and effort will find that they do begin making money within the first 30 days of opening their business.

An Internet business can further advance their sales each and every month by properly marketing their online business. This can be done through link exchanges, paid advertisements, affiliate marketing, and other means of self-promotion that have been proven to build traffic, gain new clients, and maintain current clients.

Additionally, the majority of Internet business owners will choose to run more than one online business. They will run multiple Internet businesses in order to determine where they can make the most money. The more Internet business ventures that you associate yourself with, the more income that you will generate each and every year.

]]> http://aboutbusinessconsulting.com/2009/07/05/starting-an-internet-business-questions-and-answers/feed/ 0 Ways and Tips to Succeed with your Website http://aboutbusinessconsulting.com/2009/07/05/ways-and-tips-to-succeed-with-your-website/ http://aboutbusinessconsulting.com/2009/07/05/ways-and-tips-to-succeed-with-your-website/#comments Mon, 06 Jul 2009 03:10:12 +0000 admin http://aboutbusinessconsulting.com/?p=255

Wether you are hosting an online forum, an ecommerce store, an informational website or a promotional website for your company, here are some best practice tips for the beginners. Some one of these strategies may be useful for you in your business.

• Create a mailing list amongst your friends, family and professional connections. This is an old school method but it never hurts to try. You wish for all the traffic you can get at this point in time.

• Make use of web tracker statistics. These statistics can provide progress reports. It helps to review the trends with your management team to help plan new directions.

• Submit articles to article directories. If you are a professional in any subject (and you should be, bearing in mind that you’re selling something) then it’s time to share your knowledge with the world by posting at an article directory site. At the very least, you get an bonus link which will help your search rankings.

• Have a look at social media sites. This is the signal of the future and traffic reporter sites advise this is where nearly your entire customer base is. Travel to them and take an interest in their lives before you try and sell them anything.

• Use ample of original pictures. Products are only as attractive to the public as they appear online. Don’t make use of stock photography if you have a camera and can take a attractive picture of a product that’s ready to sell.

• Offer a free something as an incentive. This free product can be anything from a free download to free advice or even a free give away. Everyone loves free stuff right? Hence, why you’re reading this free article rather than subscribing to ten high priced news magazines.

• Brand your company whenever possible. Think about letterheads, logos, clipart, promotional giveaways, catchy slogans and punchy nicknames. You’re not selling yourself literally, as in an ordinary guy…you’re selling a company and idea that’s larger than life.

• Look into joining an affiliate network. Even if you can try and catch the attention of your own advertisers, it also makes sense to join an affiliate network and earn income from a entire network of traffic.

• Blog your heart out. Blogging is what keeps people interested in your business. If you don’t feel like blogging then simply add search-friendly articles to your website on a regular basis. Maintain fresh information rolling in!

]]> http://aboutbusinessconsulting.com/2009/07/05/ways-and-tips-to-succeed-with-your-website/feed/ 0 Facebook’s Holocaust Controversy http://aboutbusinessconsulting.com/2009/05/22/facebooks-holocaust-controversy/ http://aboutbusinessconsulting.com/2009/05/22/facebooks-holocaust-controversy/#comments Fri, 22 May 2009 20:10:43 +0000 admin http://aboutbusinessconsulting.com/?p=238

Facebook is under fire for allowing Holocaust denial groups to remain on the site, claiming they don’t violate the social network’s terms of service

Facebook is under pressure to take a stand on groups that want to use its pages to air views that are at best controversial and at worst hateful.

A series of blogs brought the issue to light when they decried the proliferation of groups on Facebook that endorse the idea that the Holocaust didn’t occur. “The Holocaust denial movement is nothing more than a pretext to allow the preaching of hatred against Jews and to recruit other like-minded individuals to do the same,” Dallas attorney Brian Cuban wrote in a May 10 “Open letter to CEO of Facebook”.

Hate Speech Online

The presence of Holocaust deniers on Facebook underscores the challenge faced by social media in cases where content is offensive but may not overtly violate laws or a site’s terms of service. Facebook and other social networking sites, for example, prohibit pornography and hate speech but are reluctant to ban groups simply because their views are inflammatory. “All of the fault lines of society and all of the hatemongering that existed long before Facebook was ever even conceived have now moved front and center to their corporate reality,” says Rabbi Abraham Cooper, associate dean of the Simon Wiesenthal Center, an international human-rights organization.

After extensive internal debate, Facebook opted not to remove the groups. “The mere statement of denying the Holocaust does not constitute a violation of our policies,” says Facebook spokesman Barry Schnitt, noting that users are forbidden from posting material that is “hateful” or “threatening.” It later removed two of the groups identified as offensive by Cuban after users posted comments to those pages that did violate service terms. Cuban is the brother of investor, blogger, and Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban.

Controversy surrounding speech on Facebook won’t end with the removal of a handful of offensive groups. A report slated for a May 13 release by the Simon Wiesenthal Center will shine added light on hate speech on the Web. The number of Web pages and shared online documents promoting racism or other forms of hatred has surged to 10,000, a 25% increase from last year, according to the report. Cooper estimates that Facebook is the biggest venue, accounting for about 30% of all these online instances of hate.

Critics Press for Tougher Rules

David Ardia, an attorney and director of the Citizen Law Project at Harvard’s Berkman Center for Internet & Society, says that by allowing controversial groups, Facebook is acting well within its rights. “Facebook can decide what’s appropriate for its users,” Ardia says. The social network was lambasted by bloggers who said its reluctance to ban the groups was cowardly. “If Facebook doesn’t want to take a moral or ethical stand on the issue, they can easily make a case that the groups violate their terms of service,” tech blogger Michael Arrington wrote on May 10. Unlike other forms of speech, Holocaust denial has been outlawed in several countries, including France.

Facebook has come under attack in the past for hosting anti-Gypsy groups. The site currently contains several groups defending “white pride.”

In February, Cooper met with Chris Kelly, Facebook’s chief privacy officer, to discuss the existence of offensive content. He brought along a PowerPoint presentation filled with examples of potentially hateful material on the site. “The scope of it at this point may be overwhelming them somewhat,” Cooper says.

Facebook Policy Review

Facebook’s Schnitt says the company does not actively patrol for such content; instead, Facebook relies on users to flag objectionable material. That list goes before a team that is trained to “use their judgment” to delete or permit each item based on guidelines drafted by the company’s lawyers and communications staff, Schnitt says. In exceptional cases, including Holocaust denial groups, the operations staff escalates content for the higher-ups to debate.

At the same time, the company seeks outside counsel. “We don’t pretend to know everything,” Schnitt says. The company regularly meets with groups like the Simon Wiesenthal Center, as well as government agencies such as the State Dept., to help inform its view of what should and shouldn’t be permitted.

Cooper says he disagrees with Facebook’s view that the Holocaust denial groups on its site are not threatening. “Holocaust denial in the Muslim world is a way to express hatred for the Jewish victims of the Holocaust and to call a group of people a bunch of liars, and it is a threat,” Cooper says.

Of course, Facebook isn’t alone in having to deal with controversial or offensive groups and other content. It and other companies, including Twitter and News Corp.’s (NWS) MySpace, may have to get more explicit about their policies, rather than continue to debate what can be considered “hateful.” “As we see in the [Facebook] terms of service, they have very broad discretion,” says Harvard’s Ardia. “They can describe other things which are far less hateful. So far, Facebook has been very circumspect in exercising that control but they don’t have to be.”

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