Just how effective is it using tactics from the SEO netherworld?

Unfortunately because it's all scripted, automated and as you say, is a plague

But script kiddies who are newcomers to the dark side seem to be unaware how ineffective this old school spam is these days. If I did away with the captcha's and interaction question on the forum, we would be swamped

... there's always a new source of naive, trusting victims too, whether they're people from the developing world who've not had much contact with the internet before or "silver surfers" from the developed world.

I think we've also lost much of the contact we'd normally have had with people likely to give us a trustworthy "second opinion" (eg our local bank manager).

I remember listening to a consumer advice programme where ordinary, presumably reasonably sensible individuals had been ripped off in a "boiler plating"(?) operation. If they'd have felt at home enough with their bank or the local police station to drop in and take advice they might not have lost the thousands of pounds this scam cost them.

uhhmm, that is not really the issue here. I was complaining about spammers on my blog, and not techniques that I use for SEO.

That's just it. newcomers being dragged into it all under the pretense that its the right way/fast way/ easiest way to get traffic and make money. I am also being spammed by affiliate networks for a few really popular iPhone games. I get about two to three posts a day from different ips. (won't mention names unless asked )
Funny thing is, one even tried to tell me that my writing stinks, and that they felt "dejected, even though it was their own fault for accidentally clicking on the blog link to read it". trying to use higher English only found in courts and universities...... I guess they were hoping I would keep their link alive and argue with them, that way keeping their backlink on the blog longer?

Then of course there is the unscripted one liner spam


It must be the South African accent Sam, obviously dont write posh like wot we does

Good marketing ploy though, start a blog comment argument to keep your link active!

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA funny you say that though. South Africans think I am English. (rofl) I've been mistaken for a tourist many times. good for business though

I actually followed that link to give the person what for and guess what Their site was removed from WP for TOS violations.

(justice)