WINNEMUCCA — Don’t listen to the media and the Better Business Bureau. It is still possible to make thousands of dollars for doing nothing more than running software….or so the Google scam web sites that continue to flourish would have job seekers believe. Google spokesman Jay Nancarrow stressed that none of these web sites are legitimate or authorized by Google.  However, he noted that some of them may be continuing to succeed because they are easily confused with some of Google’s legitimate programs.

“We do provide users the ability to generate revenue through programs like Google AdSense and the Google Affiliate Network, but these programs do not constitute employment at or for Google,” Nancarrow explained.

Google AdSense allows web site publishers to display Google ads and earn revenue. Google Affiliate Network connects advertisers and web site publishers. Both of these programs are marketing tools offered by Google, but use of any of Google’s marketing programs is just that; use of a program. Anyone who uses AdSense, Google Affiliate Network, or any other marketing tool owned by Google is still responsible for running and maintaining their own online business. While money can be earned through the use of Google’s tools, the company makes no promises of wealth or claims that using any of their services can solve a person’s financial problems or generate all of the revenue necessary to run a profitable business.

“Any claim that you can skip all the hard work and make just as much money by posting links, using a secret system, or running a kit to generate websites should be treated with a heavy dose of skepticism,” Nancarrow stated.

A claim of easy or instant money is indeed one of the main warning signs of any scam, but the telltale outlandish promise may be easy to miss, as these sites often appear when users search for legitimate Google programs.

“Google has made a great deal of progress removing these sites from our search index and ad networks,” Nancarrow said. “However, it's important to remember that these sites, as well as similar sites targeting other popular Internet properties, are part of the general web.”

He advised attention to detail and thorough research to combat any scam web sites that continue to appear in search results. Google further advises anyone who encounters any of these sites to report them to the Federal Trade Commission.