Some months ago, my PR dropped from 5 to 4. It had been 5 for years. The same day, I read a post here that Google was demoting sites that used DP signature links. The argument was persuasive, so I thought that I would test it. So, I removed all my DP signature links. Now, months later, my PR is still 4. Soooo, what do you think? 1. Do DP signature links result in Google penalization? 2. Should I have left my sig links in my posts? 3. Was I stupid to remove them? They showed up as strong backlinks. I can understand a Google philosophy of - "Since the links are not votes for the website, they should not count, because the webmaster is simply giving votes to himself". That makes sense. BUT, they always appeared to give me good "link juice", so I wonder. I would like to know YOUR opinion. Thanks. . .
They give no PR juice, and they are severely devalued because just as you mentioned anyone can add them so they are not a vote for quality. I have not noticed any penalization, but they are good for traffic if nothing else.
I agree with this answers, google can't recognize the user who promote himself their link and user who you like what it submit in his signature.
I found this, although it is not the thread I was referring to - http://forums.digitalpoint.com/showthread.php?t=1160272 and this - http://forums.digitalpoint.com/showthread.php?t=1139225 AHH! Found it! Here is the original post I was referring to - http://forums.digitalpoint.com/showthread.php?t=961732 Notice the comment from Matt cutts - That was good enough for me! And the reason I removed my sig links. The question is, "Should I put them back?" . .
Just because Matt Cutts hates signature links it doesn't mean websites lose PR because of that. Matt Cutts hates mayonnaise too So what?
I don't think google will devalue your site. Any one could add a competitor to their signature and google knows that.
Google counts DP signature links, however, if you have hundreds of posts, google will count only a couple of links.
well at first they get ur site indexed soon .. but i dont kno abt penalization .. one of my friend's site moved from pr1 to pr4 not just bcoz of Dp he did some link building too .. i think they are good
Same here. If DP nofollowed the links it would be fine with me. The traffic DP sends is good enough. For me I'll take the risk.
How long since you removed the link on your sig? Do your links here still showing when you search your site backlink on google? I think it should be fine since you only have not much post and not all your post will be indexed by google.
I have just update my sig and that is why this topic caught my attention. I'll find out more about this one. But If anyone has more ideas, actual experience on this one or resources please share with us.
Forum sig is useful. I test one site: I added one new site in my Pr8 forum sig(27700posts) 2 month ago. I find this site pr update from 0 to 2 at 2008.12.31.
Demoting sites sites? most of my back links are coming from here but I have seen my page rank increased. it has to somethign with the content of your site and not with links from DP.