Website using our discussions as reviews on their website

[Soccerrick10]

I was looking for specs on a certain iron and did a Google search.  Found the specs on a golf site I never visited before.  While looking at the specs, I realized it was a “review” of the clubs. So, I read the rest of the review.  Imagine my surprise as I was reading, I realized those were exact words I had written in the Equipment forum discussing those irons.

 

Just to make sure, I went back to the discussion and verified they were EXACTLY as I had written.  Looking back on their website, at no place in the article could I identify where they cited or gave credit to me as the author.

 

Additionally, they promote the site as “owned” by a well know PGA player that is now playing on the LIV tour.  The site is “managed” by a well know, PGA hall of Fame star and the “editor” is a current LPGA player.  I think it’s all a fraud.  

 

Given that information, what would you do?

[Kingcat990]

Then you wrote a well written and thorough review. Now, monetize it so equipment is given to you to review in the future 😁 

[noodle3872]

What site are you talking about?

[PedronNiall]

1 hour ago, Soccerrick10 said:

Given that information, what would you do?

I'd save screenshots showing the date of your post vs their later "review" just to have it if needed in the future.

 

Assuming you end up giving more info I'd guess at some point the site owners here will tell them to stop pilfering content from the forum to try and pass off as their own. I wouldn't be surprised if it turns out that it's managed by a group who paid whoever the mystery golfers you hinted at are to use their names and likenesses to make "content".

[Soccerrick10]

So, it looks like they have taken down almost everything on the site.

 

Prior to that, they listed Dustin Johnson as the site owner and had a photo of him in mid swing.  Then, they listed the manager as Tom Watson with a photo of the real Tom Watson.  Finally, they listed Paula Creamer as the editor with her photo.

 

The “review” was of the PXG 0211 ST irons.  The posting they plagiarized was from this forum located here:

The website still has a few reviews.  But, everything I pointed out initially has now been removed.  I don’t want to give them any traffic, but what is still up is here:

https://sporticmedia.com/

 

They have also added a disclaimer page for submitting articles which is ironic, because there was no way to submit articles previously.

———————————————————————

If you have an interesting story & wish to share it with our readers, please email us and we will publish it after reviewing/moderating. (Please note terms & conditions apply).

Terms & Conditions

1. Articles that you send have to be your work. If they are not your work, they must be properly referenced.
2. Any picture, praise or an extract from external sources must be referenced.
3.  There has to be a clear heading and the word count should not exceed 2500 words.
4. Your articles maybe screened, altered, modified & edited to ensure the quality & relevance.
5. Editing & Publishing an article will be at the sole discretion of the sporticmedia team.
6. Submitting articles are purely voluntary. Yet, the author must take the 100% responsibility to provide us with accurate information that is helpful to our website.

 Thank you & we look forward to the great submission that will be of great service to our website.

Email (Editor) : [email protected]

 

Edited April 29, 2023 by Soccerrick10

[phizzy30]

2 hours ago, Soccerrick10 said:

So, it looks like they have taken down almost everything on the site.

 

Prior to that, they listed Dustin Johnson as the site owner and had a photo of him in mid swing.  Then, they listed the manager as Tom Watson with a photo of the real Tom Watson.  Finally, they listed Paula Creamer as the editor with her photo.

 

The “review” was of the PXG 0211 ST irons.  The posting they plagiarized was from this forum located here:

The website still has a few reviews.  But, everything I pointed out initially has now been removed.  I don’t want to give them any traffic, but what is still up is here:

https://sporticmedia.com/

 

They have also added a disclaimer page for submitting articles which is ironic, because there was no way to submit articles previously.

———————————————————————

If you have an interesting story & wish to share it with our readers, please email us and we will publish it after reviewing/moderating. (Please note terms & conditions apply).

Terms & Conditions

1. Articles that you send have to be your work. If they are not your work, they must be properly referenced.
2. Any picture, praise or an extract from external sources must be referenced.
3.  There has to be a clear heading and the word count should not exceed 2500 words.
4. Your articles maybe screened, altered, modified & edited to ensure the quality & relevance.
5. Editing & Publishing an article will be at the sole discretion of the sporticmedia team.
6. Submitting articles are purely voluntary. Yet, the author must take the 100% responsibility to provide us with accurate information that is helpful to our website.

 Thank you & we look forward to the great submission that will be of great service to our website.

Email (Editor) : [email protected]

 

Definitely looks like a fake website.  DJ as the owner, Tom Watson as manager and Paula Creamer as editor, LOL.  I don't think there's anymore to be said. 

Edited April 29, 2023 by phizzy30

[Hawkeye77]

7 hours ago, Soccerrick10 said:

I was looking for specs on a certain iron and did a Google search.  Found the specs on a golf site I never visited before.  While looking at the specs, I realized it was a “review” of the clubs. So, I read the rest of the review.  Imagine my surprise as I was reading, I realized those were exact words I had written in the Equipment forum discussing those irons.

 

Just to make sure, I went back to the discussion and verified they were EXACTLY as I had written.  Looking back on their website, at no place in the article could I identify where they cited or gave credit to me as the author.

 

Additionally, they promote the site as “owned” by a well know PGA player that is now playing on the LIV tour.  The site is “managed” by a well know, PGA hall of Fame star and the “editor” is a current LPGA player.  I think it’s all a fraud.  

 

Given that information, what would you do?

Not care, lol.

[mat562]

8 hours ago, Soccerrick10 said:

Given that information, what would you do?

 

Go to the gym, get back, enjoy a nice lunch and then get out for a walk with the dogs.

[me05501]

AI

[Soccerrick10]

What I did was sent them a letter to remove my content and sent a copy of the About Us web page to each of the three agents of the players.  Apparently, they got the message.

 

From my perspective, we all give our help to each other on this board freely.  For someone to monetize our thoughts with no consent or compensation is wrong.

 

At least it was shut down quickly and I’d guess it wasn’t just my email that made them do it.

Edited April 29, 2023 by Soccerrick10

[Soccerrick10]

3 hours ago, phizzy30 said:

Definitely looks like a fake website.  DJ as the owner, Tom Watson as manager and Paula Creamer as editor, LOL.  I don't think there's anymore to be said. 

Nope, it’s been removed.  Topic can be closed.

[third-times-a-charm]

Its a scraper site. The person who owns it wrote a web scraping script that crawls the internet based on their search terms and it's copying and pasting strings of text from all over to make coherent-sounding content. Eventually it will be monetized with Amazon affiliate links and etc and the owner will be bringing in revenue without lifting a finger from web clicks and purchases/etc.

 

Happens all the time.

[TyNiles]

Just a pseudo “fake” website - really not much you can do here 

 

[Soccerrick10]

Boy, am I getting old…..

[larciel]

On 4/29/2023 at 6:32 PM, TyNiles said:

Just a pseudo “fake” website - really not much you can do here 

 

Icelanders pulling this kind of shenegans?!!?! Blasphemy!