UlasanAnime.com – The role of non-customers in shaping a company’s products and the market is a complex issue, particularly in the realm of digital media like anime and games. When a company creates a product and it gains traction among individuals who haven’t directly purchased it, the question arises: should the company acknowledge and respond to the voices and activities of these “uninvited third parties”?
In many instances, the influence of non-customers can be significant, especially in cases of media piracy. For example, a niche and expensive product, such as a galge (a visual novel, often with bishoujo elements), might be widely pirated and fan-translated. This can lead to a larger audience enjoying the content than the number of legitimate purchasers.
In such scenarios, the opinions of those who pirated the game should be considered from the perspective of their engagement with the content. For instance, if the majority of paying customers prefer physical releases over digital ones, it would be counterproductive for the game company to alter their strategy to appease those who did not purchase the game. The ideal approach is to satisfy both groups, aiming to convert non-buyers into customers by demonstrating the value and accessibility of the product.
However, external factors can also influence a company’s decisions. Societal pressure, as seen in the Rapelay incident, or government regulations like the Tokyo Nonexistent Youth ordinance, can compel game companies to alter their practices. While the government isn’t a direct consumer, its actions often reflect the will of the general public, thus indirectly influencing companies through non-market channels.
A significant concern for many users, especially in the anime community, is the prevalence of illegal streaming and download sites appearing at the top of search results when looking for anime titles on Google. While license holders can issue DMCA takedown requests to improve Google’s search results, the issue is even more pronounced with manga, where these sites often become the primary source of information.
This problem is exacerbated by Google’s advertising practices. A Wall Street Journal report highlighted a US Federal Government sting operation that portrayed Google as an organization that knowingly facilitated illegal activities by advertising foreign illegal pharmacies to US customers. Former Adsense customers acknowledge having served ads for such sites, though their visibility could be sporadic and often circumvented by ad-blocking browsers.
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While these issues might not seem critical in the grand scheme of things, better search engine optimization (SEO) and a deeper understanding of Google search can lead to a more positive experience for everyone involved with a particular title, even those who are not direct purchasers.
The core question is how the online activity of non-purchasers increases the relevance of these illegal sites in search engine rankings. Google’s search results are determined by the “relevance” of a link to the search query, which is influenced by factors like inter-page linking and the perceived “quality” of a web page. If popular forums link to download sites, those sites gain credibility. Companies specializing in “SEO” actively create web content to manipulate these rankings. This is distinct from more straightforward practices like optimizing webpages to be friendly to Google’s web robots, which index and display content effectively.
It’s important not to dismiss the “real relevance” that non-purchasers have on purchasers and content publishers. This is why review copies are provided to the press, and word-of-mouth remains a powerful advertising tool. Conversely, piracy can negatively impact sales. A common scenario is when individuals sample content through piracy before purchasing. If they find the content unsatisfactory or undesirable for other reasons, they may become lost to the market, which can be detrimental.
A responsible approach in this context involves actively monitoring the links shared. Bloggers, for instance, have a platform where they can inadvertently link to sites engaged in copyright infringement, even if those sites offer valuable information. Other platforms like Twitter, Google+, and forums also present similar challenges. For brands managing their online presence, particularly in the anime, game, and manga spheres, creating informative and accessible websites is a fundamental yet often overlooked aspect.
Companies need to monitor relevance and educate stakeholders on the impact of both purchasers and non-purchasers. However, it’s equally important to respect individuals who do not buy their products, to the extent that it does not compromise the experience for those who do. This is a nuanced goal to implement but is crucial for success in niche markets like anime, manga, and bishoujo/otome games.
Ultimately, if the goal is to find a download link, adding “download” to the search query is a straightforward method for users seeking such content.
