A post Search Engine Journal, a popular blog on search engines (including advertising) where I’m also an author, has a great post regarding Google and selling links. Last month, Google downgraded the PageRank on a number of sites selling links (and some that didn’t). Lots of speculation ensued, but Google never responded, but now they have via Google Webmaster Central by saying: So there you have it. Google is cracking down… and hard. Should you be concerned? Possibly. If you flaunt selling links and how much you make for them, then yes (heads of John Chow!). If your website isn’t quite established (lower traffic, revenue, and age), then I really isn’t something I would be concerned about. However, here are some tips and things to keep in mind: * Don’t title paid links with “sponsored†or “paidâ€. Instead, list the links as “featured†or “related sitesâ€. * Don’t post or constantly write about selling links or how much you make from them. Instead, leave it fairly open by saying “if you would like a text advertisement on our website, please email advertising(a)website.comâ€. * Diversify in other monetization strategies that are not related to PageRank, such as display advertising, adsense, etc. You might find that the ad spot selling links could be better monetized with other techniques. * Don’t be too concerned about PageRank. It isn’t everything (really doesn’t impact search rankings). * Don’t panic - losing PageRank isn’t the end of the world. If you’re a link buyer, here is what you need to know. Yes, Google is cracking down, but it is still a lot of smoke. I’m familiar with companies that rent over $10,000 in links per month and they don’t appear to be affected - yet. If you’re renting links yourself, below are a few tips and things to keep in mind. Or, you could just use Freezing Hot’s link building services, so you don’t have to worry. * Don’t buy too quickly. Instead, slowly build up the number of paid links, which mimics natural link building. * Relevancy is the key. Don’t buy a link on a site that’s not relevant (this is huge and often overlooked!). * Don’t place links on sites that are less than perfect. Link farms, directories, and sites obviously designed to sell links can (and probably will) actually hurt your site in the long run. * Constantly monitor, everything. Monitor your site, their site, and the SEO industry. * Consider number of out bound links, content, placement of links, traffic, and other factors besides PageRank - use links for traffic while you’re at it.
Great article but I think google isnt against buying links, Google is trying to put fear in people because if you notice they are now offering text links as well, so if everyone is afraid to do it, advertisers have to go directly to the BIG G for the text links
I'm going to dissent and say that Google is against buying links, because it skews results and negates their famous algorithm. Google wants to display the best results and when some of the are "gamed", Google might not be displaying the best results. PS: Where is Google selling text links?
OK...only links that pass on PR, but that is the point of the big $$ high PR links, right? Here is the new guideline: Anyone have further relevant comments on what this means in terms of link values; traffic vs. pr; existing links bought before this rev?
So basically if you want to destroy your competition just buy about 50 paid links for his website and then report it to Moogle. This is a lot of BS...
That's kind of old news. This is in webmaster tools quite a while now. AFIK Google responds *very* quickly to reported sites. Thus the suggestion to stay out of the link trading process Rainer
You're welcome. I never really though Goolge would be able to determine what was a regular link (especially with blogrolls) and what was a paid link. I was wrong.
I agree with this, and I think it will be impossible to know which website is selling links unless you say that in the website. There are also some brokers who will protect the inventory so that no one knows who are selling the links unless you buy it. And I think we can still sell the links as long as we accept only buyers from related websites. This is the most important I believe.
It doesnt matter if links are bought and sold or not...the big G will not know unless your backlinks dont look natural