Aug 16, 2007 at 8:43am ET by Barry Schwartz
The IAB UK and DMA UK have released the UK’s first code of conduct for search marketing firms.
Companies that want to earn the IAB UK’s accreditation must comply with 4 specific criteria.
Guy Phillipson, chief executive of the Internet Advertising Bureau said:
This charter represents an important first step in the establishment of search marketing best practice in the UK.
Those IAB members who comply with the criteria will be able to post this logo on their site.

There are several private companies that have been offering forms of best practices, including Bruce Clay. But IAB is credited with being the first non-profit organization in the UK to offer this.
Postscript From Danny: At first read, I find the guidelines not really designed to actually reassure any potential client of anything. As I said in a discussion at our Sphinn site:
Kind of underwhelming. I mean it’s good conduct to have two full time search marketing employees, to have been in business for six months and join some organization (like the IAB or SEMPO) that will admit anyone? The only requirement going to skills is getting Google accreditation. So big whoop — you get a logo that ultimately proves you understand Google help files. Yeah, I’d say these need to grow a lot to have real teeth to them.
Add your thoughts to either of our two Sphinn discussions: UK IAB, DMA Charter - What’s A Search Engine Marketing Company? and IAB’s Search Marketing Code of Conduct.
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