Ben Edelman Calls Out "Banner Farms," Pins Hula Direct to the Mat

Ben Edelman’s latest report is yet another valuable analysis of how spyware applications defraud both Internet users and advertisers. This time he pins Hula Direct to the mat. Hula operates a load of crappy Web sites whose traffic comes primarily from spyware apps. These sites consist of almost nothing but ads, ads that are served through low quality – and, one must assume, blind — ad networks. Not only that, but the ads automatically reload, racking up fees but not value for the advertiser.

The list of blue-chip advertisers who should be embarrassed to appear in Hula’s network includes Vonage, Verizon Wireless, Universal Studios, the Weather Channel and Circuit City.

I could explain further, but it’s best if you just go and read it.

Remember, as much as we’d like to eviscerate companies like Hula Direct and the spyware players that feed them traffic, this is all about advertiser laziness and indifference.