Attracta

[John Wolf]

In my host gator cpanel I see a tab called attracta. Would you recommend that I use this given that its free? What are your thoughts on this software? Will it REALLY improve hits? Lately my hits have gone up over 50% due to the help of the media being I was featured in a cover story in a publication a few months ago. But when the steam of the story runs out my hits might go back (regression towards the mean).

https://www.attracta.com/signup?camp...19&affId=36289


Thanks,


John

[absolute]

How do I use this feature? I've installed it but don't know where to go from there. Perhaps it takes some time to install?

[digitalterrain]

The problem I have with it is the funny "alias" names HG gives my domains, eg maindomain.addondomain.tld. it's not resolving that address, therefore it doesn't seem that it will actually function for me for any of the addon domains.

I don't know if it's possible to change the way HG has the domains listed, but without that ability it seems pretty useless to me.

Anyone else?

Steve

[avalanch]

The "free" services it provides are mediocre. The 404 & 500 error pages do kindof come in handy for pointing out problem links as for it's sitemap feature, any good software provider already has that built in or accessible via 3rd party mods/hacks.

[legoh]

How to uninstall this service?

I have ticked some domains in the SEO Tools panel and now I want to reset all, but there is not visible command to do so.

It is as a sort of black hole that attracts you (hence the name) and never release you.

[legoh]

I just discovered they have destroyed my robots.txt files and replaced it by another with only a link to their sitemap. Without any authorization. I have even not registered to the service.

[squirrelproductions]

Originally Posted by legoh

I just discovered they have destroyed my robots.txt files and replaced it by another with only a link to their sitemap. Without any authorization. I have even not registered to the service.

I am in the same boat. I have many, many sites (domains and subdomains) that I do not necessarily want indexed (personal, family-only sites). Now I have to go in and fix the crap that Attracta foisted on my sites without explicit permission. Nowhere did I give authorization for the Attracta application/software to make modifications to any of my files. Yet I have a bunch of robots.txt files that I have to revert. STAY AWAY FROM ATTRACTA. If it acts like malware (e.g. making mods without explicit authorization), treat it like malware.

[proprod]

Sorry for posting to an older thread, but I happened upon it.

It states right on the page:

Note: Each site added to this service will have its robots.txt file modified to include a reference to your Attracta XML Sitemap

Just thought I'd throw that out there.

[satguy]

The warning was added later..

But for some of us.. It was too late..

After two months .. I am still working hard to fix the damage that was done to my site when I clicked on that tab...

[AttractaSEO]

Hi, my name is Andrew, I work in customer support at Attracta.

I understand your frustration. Anyone thinking they were receiving spam, or services they did not signup for, would feel the same way. Attracta, however, is a HostGator affiliate embedded in your C-panel as an integrated part of your C-panel services. Your Attracta account was automatically created when you clicked on the SEO tools in your C-Panel. This seamless integration was designed to provide you easy access to you free services.

There seems to be some confusion surrounding XML sitemap usage so I'd like to clear that up.

Using an XML sitemap can only help, and can in no way harm your SEO efforts. Google's own message on this matter is clear:

"In most cases, webmasters will benefit from Sitemap submission, and in no case will you be penalized for it." http://www.google.com/support/webmas...&answer=156184

Websites are never hurt or penalized in any way by using our service. Even if you already have a XML sitemap, adding our Sitemap will still help. Plus- an Attracta Sitemap can be updated at anytime, and provide confirmed submission to Google. In fact, if you look at Google's own robots.txt file ( http://www.google.com/robots.txt ) you can clearly see they are using multiple sitemaps themselves.

Additional information about XML Sitemaps is available from Google's webmaster central at the previous link. Additionally, you can read the XML Sitemap protocol documentation available here: http://sitemaps.org/

You will always have the option to choose which Attracta services are applied to specific domains you have. We do not apply our services without your direction and approval. You can choose which domains to include or exclude after clicking on any of the SEO panel tools.

Attracta is the world’s largest SEO service provider, with well over a million websites using our services to increase their search engine traffic. Attracta never shares your information with third parties. Our commitment to user privacy can be viewed at: http://www.attracta.com/privacy.jsp.

If we can be of any further assistance, please email support@attracta.com, or call us at 1 888-317-3994.

Thank You,

Andrew

[patpat]

Originally Posted by AttractaSEO

Hi, my name is Andrew, I work in customer support at Attracta.
I understand your frustration. Anyone thinking they were receiving spam, or services they did not signup for, would feel the same way. Attracta, however, is a HostGator affiliate embedded in your C-panel as an integrated part of your C-panel services. Your Attracta account was automatically created when you clicked on the SEO tools in your C-Panel. This seamless integration was designed to provide you easy access to you free services.

I just received an unsolicited e-mail from Attracta, labeled “Attracta – Status”
I have never signed up anything with these guys.
Even if Attracta is a Hosgator’s affiliate their way of doing business considering subscriptions to their services a single click on a Hostgator Cpanel icon is abusive. I pay for that Hostgator Cpanel, why do I have to cope with these kind of things?? I do not want Attracta solving my problems on an unsolicited way.

Please Attarcta tell me the way of getting out of your database; I’m not your customer.
Please Hostgator add an additional step between clicking the Cpanel icon and the actual Attracta service subscription or even better please provide a version of the Hostgator CPanel w/o any offers/advertisements/affiliates/etc.