BP snaps up Google terms to direct oil spill related traffic

Well, it looks like @BPGlobalPR isn’t the only outfit with an oil spill related message to share on the internet.

BP confirmed to ABC News that the company has been proactively purchasing search terms on Google and Yahoo so the first results less savvy searchers are apt to find on the search engines will be the carefully crafted messages put out by the oil company in relation to cleanup efforts and environmental impact:

A spokesman for the company confirmed to ABC News that it had, in fact, bought these search terms to make information on the spill more accessible to the public.

“We have bought search terms on search engines like Google to make it easier for people to find out more about our efforts in the Gulf and make it easier for people to find key links to information on filing claims, reporting oil on the beach and signing up to volunteer,” BP spokesman Toby Odone told ABC News.

While the efforts are likely to drive a lot of search engine traffic to BP’s website, getting their post-spill PR efforts into more eyes and hopefully (for BP) prying open more wallets, the company is being heavily criticized for pouring so much money into advertising and public relations in the wake of the massive environmental disaster. Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal criticized BP’s actions in a statement:

“Instead of BP shelling out $50 million on an ad campaign that promises to do good work in responding to this spill, BP should just focus on actually doing a good job and spend the $50 million on assistance to our people, our industries and our communities that are suffering as a result of this ongoing spill.”

Search engine gaming isn’t the only strategy on deck for BP. The company recently launched a widespread TV ad campaign wherein CEO Tony “I would like my life back” Hayward says he’s “deeply sorry” for the disaster.