How Sponsored Links Ruined a Relationship

Google Paid Search Links Destroys a Relationship

I just saw the “Flipping out ” reunion show last night.   And if you haven’t watched Flipping out on Bravo, you are missing one of most unique character’s on television. (as a matter of fact watch the below brief clip as you read this post, it’s worth it!)  Of course if you watch the show regularly, you are most likely a fan of Jeff Lewis.  He is definitely has some personality flaws and issues, but it makes him a funny and lovable character at the same time.  What played out in Season 3 of the show just came to a dramatic ending on the reunion show.  Jeff’s partner for several years, Ryan Brown, was suspected of stealing business from him, and it involved google’s paid search links.

For years, Jeff worked on flipping houses and his partner Ryan was involved in desiging them.  They both benefited from the show on Bravo, and were known to work together on projects until recently.  With the recent downturn, Jeff started migrating his business over to doing design work as well, hence, the partners started to do business on their own.  Through a series of events, Jeff started to become suspicious of Ryan and some of his actions.  One notable event caught on camera  during the season, shows Jeff doing a search under his own name, “Jeff Lewis” on Google, and to his amazement he notices website advertising under the sponsored links!  When you call the office, it apparently is Ryan’s business, not Jeff’s.  In later shows, Jeff references this discovery and brought it up again several times in the final reunion show.  This paid search link was reason enough for him to believe that traffic was directed to Ryan instead and most likely resulted in business.  When Jeff confronts Ryan again in the reunion show, there is no clear answer as to who handles the adwords campaign and why there was a paid link under his name.  Although I have heard of business competitiveness using sponsored links to go after other brand names, I don’t recall it ever ruining such a close business and personal relationship.