Can we rank as a related search query on a competitor's brand keyword?

[als007]

One of my clients wanted to know whether it's possible for him to rank as one of the related pages on Google for a brand name of a competitor. I honestly don't know whether it's possible so any ideas whether it's possible and if so, ideas on what can be done is greatly welcome.

Thank you in advance.

[activitysuper]

But if you sell football boots and you manage to rank for a competitors brand name, but the landing page did not mention the competitor brand name but delivered lets say 10%Off promo code as a call to action then I cant see anything wrong with this? Unless im actually wrong and you cant do this!

[activitysuper]

Ok,

Are you talking about ranking top when a user views this page in Google, related:www.competitordomain.com?

[als007]

Should have explained myself more clearly. The client wants to rank on Google related pages for a brand name of a competitor. Any help?

[firstconversion]

heh, had a friend who did this type of things to rank organically for all his competitors brand names. Unfortunately he put stuff on the landing page that made them very angry and lawyers got involved and it all went downhill very quickly

So, if you are trying to rank for competitors, you will need to talk about them in some way on the page you are using to rank. Be careful how you talk about them!

[als007]

Thanks James. It's really helpful. I'm with you when it comes to ethical side of the things and thanks again for clearing a cloud in my mind. I wanted to make sure whether what I asked is possible at all. Wish I could buy you a beer sometime

[JamesNorquay]

From a PPC front I would not advise on it as if the term if trademarked Google will not allow it.

From a Organic front it is possible, yet really search intent comes into play think about it if the user is searching for a specific brand their is a small chance they are actually going to want to buy something from your brand correct?

It is like searching for "Apple Iphone" do you want to see the "HTC" come up?

Really it comes down to ethical lines and what the business wants to do, I have dealt with cases in other businesses I have worked at where competitors have had a generic sounding business term, so yes then it can be targeted.

But if the business brand term is unique, I personally would not advise on it.