Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Ethics Violation list?
Do entities listed as violators mean I should never use them?
Why am I listed?
How do I apply for a removal?
What do the levels of violation mean?
How do I report a violation?
What gives you the right to cite violators?
How do I determine if someone is a violator?
Does it cost for me to be removed?
If someone reports on me, does that mean I automatically become a violator?
- What is the Ethics Violation list?
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The Ethics Violation list is a list of companies and individuals, in our opinion, that have displayed an egregious pattern of violations based on our created code of ethics for internet marketing companies. Customers can search the database of known violators to see who has been identified as a violator based on the code of ethics as opposed to people not identified on the listing.
- Do entities listed as violators mean I should never use them?
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Our listing is based on our research and opinions. We would seriously suggest moving forward with caution when dealing with these companies or individuals.
- Why am I listed?
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Companies and individuals listed in our database have been identified to have an egregious pattern of unethical activities through our research methods and reports from past customers. To request removal from our listing, fill out our removal request form for our Ethics Violation service to begin the communication to have yourself unlisted from the list.
- How do I apply for a removal?
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To request removal from the EthicViolations service, contact us through our Removal Request Form.
- What do the levels of violation mean?
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Each level of violation has been created to give customers a level of caution when working with companies identified as violators. If a company is listed as level 1, it means that they were recently listed and may or may not have had enough time to deal with the listing. A company listed at level 5 has been listed for more than 120 days and has not resolved the issues that they were listed for initially. We urge the customers of internet marketing solutions to display extreme caution when dealing with violators.
- How do I report a violation?
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To report a violation, you can fill out our File a Violation Form. Please provide as much information as possible. Information you provide us will be verified and does not guarantee a placement of violation.
- What gives you the right to cite violators?
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As the independent authority on Search vendors, topseos.com has been researching, evaluating, and ranking internet marketing service providers since 2002. Through our research, we have identified an industry-wide code of ethics that the best companies follow to provide fair and quality services to their clients without engaging in unfair business practices against their competitors. It is our wish that these codes be followed and promoted within the internet marketing community.
- How do I determine if someone is a violator?
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You can use the search bar provided in the Ethics Violation section or on the front page of topseos.com to search for companies that may be included in the list. The search will display whether they are listed in the violations list and what their level is.
- Does it cost for me to be removed?
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We do not charge for the research required to remove a company or individual from the Ethics Violation service.
- If someone reports on me, does that mean I automatically become a violator?
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We do not list businesses or individuals based off a specific number of reports but rather off of research on the business practices of each business or individual that is reported. A simple report does not mean that they will be listed in our database of violators.
