Are backlinks still the main thing to do in SEO

Discussion in 'Link Development' started by grumpyb, May 6, 2008.

  1. #1
    I have just finished analysing (using spyglass) the top 3 serps for a particular search term I am after.
    The no 1 2 & 3 positions all appear to have significantly less backlink power than my site yet I am still no 226
    Im not talking small numbers here I have 6 PR6 baclinks and they have none
    Aso the anchor text on these sites is not significantly to the search term being used.
    I did move up to no 36 for a while but it seems that the more backlinks I add the further away I am getting.
    Have they changed the rules again Is it now a combination of content factor X and backlinks.
    I am starting to think that backlinks are not the main thing anymore /
    what do you all think?
     
    grumpyb, May 6, 2008 IP
  2. idolism

    idolism Well-Known Member

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    #2
    The content of the site and how it is optimized is the main factor.

    Backlinks are off-site factor.
    They are still important, but if you've messed up your content, you will not get to the top.
     
    idolism, May 6, 2008 IP
  3. Wayne Liew

    Wayne Liew Banned

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    #3
    Sometimes, having too much backlinks with the same anchor text will cause you problems as well as Google might see you as manipulating their system. Build links naturally and be patient.

    I believe backlinks is still the top most important SEO factor of all.
     
    Wayne Liew, May 6, 2008 IP
    Jim4767 likes this.
  4. milofi_hosting

    milofi_hosting Banned

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    #4
    Backlinks are definately the main factor of SEO, as well as Content.
     
    milofi_hosting, May 6, 2008 IP
  5. deadlychaos25

    deadlychaos25 Guest

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    #5
    Yes backlinks are important but Google's algo is getting tougher to detect natural backlinks and the fake one's.
    I think you should build links slowly as 1 link per month - This will help you alot for your SEO.
     
    deadlychaos25, May 6, 2008 IP
  6. TravelDude

    TravelDude Peon

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    #6
    i believe so
     
    TravelDude, May 6, 2008 IP
  7. bpriu

    bpriu Banned

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    #7
    1 link per month? well then your PR will be 2 on 10-12 months...i got 500 backlinks every month on totally different websites, on 40 link pages and still got pr4 on 2 months for an article website..
     
    bpriu, May 6, 2008 IP
  8. allout

    allout Prominent Member

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    #8
    Content is key. Back links are important but you need to have something to rank with. Great content and age will get you rank for a longer period than a bunch of back links. It takes a little longer but you stay on top longer.
     
    allout, May 6, 2008 IP
  9. ninjashoes

    ninjashoes Well-Known Member

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    #9
    whao that sounds kinda low, my rules was no more than 3 a day
     
    ninjashoes, May 6, 2008 IP
  10. pipes

    pipes Prominent Member

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    #10
    Backlinks are imortant but so is the content within your website, updating it regularly and not with filler content but with useful content is essential, it depends where the backlinks are from.
     
    pipes, May 6, 2008 IP
  11. pradeep.balua

    pradeep.balua Active Member

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    #11
    1 back link per month ? you must be kidding.....
     
    pradeep.balua, May 6, 2008 IP
  12. arcel

    arcel Banned

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    #12
    backlinks still has a factor in SEO. but content plays the big role.
     
    arcel, May 6, 2008 IP
  13. surajseo

    surajseo Banned

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    #13
    backlinks to your site and good contents of your site both are important things to count as quality site.

    so now one can ignore by any one.:)
     
    surajseo, May 6, 2008 IP
  14. pauley

    pauley Peon

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    #14
    I noticed a similar scenario in my industry, sites outperforming my sites with very few backlinks. However, on closer inspection the backlinks they did have were very good quality and on theme - plus the sites that outperformed me were much older than my domains...

    so i think the age of domain is very important and a few quality on topic/themed links will be worth much more that 1000s off topic links...

    I think eventually the the weight of many 1000s of links will push you above your competitors with fewer links but it might take a long time and lots and lots of links, and the more dodgy links you get the higher chance that google is going to spot them and slam you...

    Spend time looking for quality themed links - actually it's much easier than try to get 1000s of cr@ppy links.
     
    pauley, May 6, 2008 IP
  15. Silverman

    Silverman Peon

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    #15
    New and useful contests for the people is the best SEO.
     
    Silverman, May 6, 2008 IP
  16. deadlychaos25

    deadlychaos25 Guest

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    #16
    Ya Pauley is right - 3-4 quality links are equal to 1000 crappy links
    I am telling you guys to build quality links - not one but maximum 5-6 per month
    Hope this helps :)
     
    deadlychaos25, May 6, 2008 IP
  17. grumpyb

    grumpyb Active Member

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    #17
    I am only adding quality links so I dont have 000's but i do have more PR power than my competitors
    The only thing they seem to have that I dont is lots of low PR links
    I will check the age factor on wayback as several of you have raised this issue
    I am only adding 5-10 links a month quality links and I have moved from PR 0 to PR3 so something is happening
    But it just aint happening with SERPS
    But I will persevere andwith the cost of adwords as it currently is I will save a bundle when I get on to page 1 so I am gratefull for all the input you guys give
     
    grumpyb, May 7, 2008 IP
  18. paulaa

    paulaa Peon

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    #18
    1 link per month ?? no way.

    I get like 100 backlinks a day and do not get penalized by Google. Big sites like Engadget get 10,000s of backlinks a day and are not penalized. Sure a lot of that is spam, but a lot are good links too.
     
    paulaa, May 7, 2008 IP
  19. supercops

    supercops Peon

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    #19
    i would love to have as many links as possible with in a short span, ,,,,but will be banned by google....so it is always better to go slow ...2-3 links per day...i think
     
    supercops, May 8, 2008 IP
  20. KingJim

    KingJim Peon

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    #20
    I have read over and over that the 'amount' of backlinks will boost your position. It is equally talked about to build quality content. Quality content means highly targetted and time must be spent making sure the content is actually optimised at every level. Tags, titles etc are often optimised but things like geographic targetting can be missed. Patience is a virtue but quality linking and strategic thinking can easily outsmart the top positions in a shorter time period. Think BIG.
     
    KingJim, May 8, 2008 IP