Idea for transparent SERM: how to motivate webmasters

I tried to make the SERM services market transparent and honest. Spoiler - failed ‍♂️

Once I was closely involved in SERM in niches like forex, there the work with reputation in rendition is organised like this:

1. Ransomware reviewers publish exposés on brokers.

Brands directly or through intermediaries (agencies) pay to remove negativity to these sites, or try to knock them out of search.

And there's a simple conflict of interest here - if someone is making money from removing negativity, it's not profitable for them to make the problem go away.

What did I come up with?

I suggested another scheme - a service where the customer assigns a reward for taking each position in the top 10 for the keyword “Brand + reviews”.

Further, the service checks the rendition every day and credits the webmasters balance daily remuneration for the positions their sites hold.

What it was supposed to do:

• “Positive motivation” for all contractors.
• Internal competition between webmasters to promote positivity to the top.
• A transparent and understandable model for the customer (brand).

Why didn't it take off?

Well, firstly I was spinning my wheels in an agency routine and I can't say I finalised the idea on 100%. The service was part of my UTP in sales, not an independent project.

Second, it was difficult to communicate value. Both customers and performers in this niche are used to simple and quick solutions.

What if...

But I still find the logic itself interesting. It can be used:

• for BrandSafe at iGaming.
• as a system of competition within the SEO team.
• or just run a contest for a PR campaign to see who can get to the top of the list for a made-up key.