Blizzard takes gloves off with in game gold spamming
This is good news: Blizzard is stepping up efforts to stop the in-game gold spamming both with a new patch and some offline legal action announced via Blizzard Forums:
We felt that it was important to share with the community just how serious we are in our efforts to combat this type of abuse. Blizzard has filed a federal lawsuit against the operators of Peons4hire, a popular gold-selling organization which many of you have no doubt seen advertised. As part of the lawsuit, the operators of Peons4hire have been asked to immediately cease all in-game spamming efforts by all entities and websites under their control.
Why, Google, why?
At VTOR we have a standing policy not to accept advertising for companies who sell accounts, gold or money when it violates the terms of service. Unfortunately there is not a sufficient way to filter Google Adsense ads to keep these kinds of ads out of Adwords being shown contextually (or is there?) so it’s likely just by writing this post there will be ads showing for these types of business. Do NOT click on these ads when you see them here or elsewhere and don’t use their services. It would be nice to see Google offer ways for publishers to filter out advertising like this.
As a friendly public reader service message: the VTOR authors and the vtoreality.com publication do not recommend or endorse these types of services.
November 30th, 2007 • 
TD Goodliffe • 
comment | December 6, 2007 at 23:32 | individual comment-link
I really appreciate Blizzards actions here. Peons4hire and other gold farming companies are extremely annoying, both in-game and out-game, because of their relentless spamming.
And yes, Google should step in and ban the gold-selling ads. Just like eBay did.
I doubt if any of this helps, though. As long as there is a demand, there will be a supply.
So, lets cut demand and advice people to earn their own gold! It is much more satisfying, and even great fun too, especially when you become very good at it.
There are plenty of guides and sites out there that can make you a superb gold maker. Some are even free, e.g. voodex.com with free gold strategies, articles, and leveling tips.