Founder & CEO at Basecamp, Jason Fried, posted a screen shot on Twitter of a Google Ad the company bought that reads "Basecamp.com - We don't want to run this ad." The ad description goes on to read "we're the #1 result, but this site lets companies advertise against us using our brand. So here we are. A small, independent co. forces to pay ransom to a giant tech company."
Here is a screen shot of the Google search ad:
Jason Fried added "When Google puts 4 paid ads ahead of the first organic result for your own brand name, you’re forced to pay up if you want to be found. It’s a shakedown. It’s ransom. But at least we can have fun with it. Search for Basecamp and you may see this attached ad."
Yes, he is calling Google Ads in this scenario "ransom."
FYI - this is the ad I see for the query:
But I have no doubt Basecamp posted the other ad text for some time.
It is sad but very true.
Forum discussion at Twitter.
