The Cheating Search Engine
October 29, 2014
Spokeo is a people search engine that when you enter in a name, email address, or username it returns personal information. The results usually include address, phone number, other email addresses, or aliases. People searches are the digital equivalent of a phone book’s white pages, except it is easier to manipulate the information for the desired output. The results, however, are limited based off how much you want to pay for.
Most of the time people search engine advertisements are banal, but Spokeo has tried a new approach. When you visit the Web site, you are greeted by the following caption: “Is He Cheating On You?” This warning follows it:
“CAUTION: This information is potentially shocking. Spokeo uses proprietary deep web technology to search over 70 social networks for status updates, photos, relationships, and profiles. Please prepare yourself for the unexpected.”
A picture of a couple caught in a scandalous position flocks the search box. Spokeo is trying to appeal to an entire new clientele, perhaps the kind who click on advertisements about learning a new language in a week or melting away the pounds with a new, exclusive diet pill offer. The search results include dating profiles, social media accounts, aliases, hidden photos, etc. The type of information you
While Spokeo was not the first people search engine of choice, it does provide basic information about individuals. This new advertising campaign, however, pushes it into the lowbrow Internet and makes its content questionable. Why the sudden change in marketing? Is Spokeo seeing a revenue drop or has seen a spike in profits when used as a cheating search engine?
Whitney Grace, October 29, 2014
Sponsored by ArnoldIT.com, developer of Augmentext
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