Read this article: Algorithmic flux or selective penalization? Nobody's sure and nobody that can answer is talking so far, but paid link directories have been plummeting in Google search results. Many are not ranking for their own business name, according to reports, even though webmasters have not received penalty notices. As many as 60 directories, according to this report, suddenly dropped in rank, leading to suspicion that Google has begun aggressively (and likely, manually) targeting paid link directories deemed to be in violation of the search engine's quality guidelines. Some have suggested competitor sabotage via the recently initiated paid link reporting form. Some of affected directories included Aviva, Alive, Big Web Links, ewebpages, Directory Dump, Elegant Directory, and Biz-Dir. David Eaves, the owner and operator of Biz-Dir told WebProNews that about 550 of his directory pages have been dropped from Google's index altogether. Key Takeaways Don't panic, rankings fluctuate Review Google quality guidelines Clearly label paid links Don't Pass On PageRank Don't forget content Resubmit for indexing Eaves admits to buying links, which he considers a legitimate form of advertising, but says Google gave him no notice that his site was being penalized. Eaves is considering dropping his paid links in order to get his pages re-indexed by Google. It's important to note, though, that's not necessarily the best course of action for everybody. Eaves is obviously quite concerned for SEO and directory clients, and says he can sustain a decent rank with natural links. And he says it wouldn't hurt him to change the links he paid for to nofollow, as the traffic from those links outweighs the traffic he gets from Google. Again, Google hasn't sent out notice, and hasn't returned request for comment, so it could be just an algorithmic flux. So the important thing to remember is: Don't panic. This could be just the old Google Dance. I remember a man in 2005 ready to put a shotgun in his mouth because his site was de-listed after an algorithm update. "Don't panic" was the operative phrase of that day, too. Convert visitors with Google Analytics - free But Google's Matt Cutts has been firing warning shots in previous months, both from his blog and from the Search Engine Strategies Conference in San Jose, saying that Google was going to be more aggressive about paid links that violated quality guidelines. During a session at SES called "Are Paid Links Evil?" Cutts presented a slide presentation, which he was approved to release, distinguishing the types of paid links Google doesn't like. Cutts cited first a Federal Trade Commission ruling that said sponsored or advertising links must be clearly labeled, and further differentiated between paid links by saying the only ones penalized were links that passed on page rank (PPP). So whether or not you philosophically agree with Google's point, if being in Google's search rankings is more important to you than winning an argument, Cutts suggests labeling paid links in the following ways: · Redirect through URL blocked by robots.txt · Redirect through URL using a 302 · Use Javascript to direct the link · Apply the rel= "nofollow†attribute to the link · Add to the page header It may not be fair to say that Google favors buying links from certain places, but there are "certain places" on the approved list, and they include: · AdBrite · Quigo · IndustryBrains · Microsoft AdCenter · Yahoo! Publisher Network · Any site that doesn't pass PageRank What are you guys' opinion?
unfortunately I bleive my site was hit aswell. splur.net was sitting 18th for 'Free Web Directory' without the " until yesterday. I looked yesterday and couldnt find it within first 10 pages.... I was so happy I got into top 20 for such a broad and highly searhed term and this stupid thing kicks into effect Even though mine is a free directory it does have paid option. Unfortunately I cant find out if this was random on my site or if it was owned by google
It’s a cat and mouse game with them. They change how they value certain links and web sites will respond to that. No big deal. It just sucks for the people who bought paid links.
just to confirm, you are asking people NOT to pass on page rank!!!! cool now can you expalin why anyone should pay a directory again?
Nice article and its fact also But more concern about directory owners and those who had purchased links from these High PR directories. I am very much sure this is not a google dance and for these directories it will take a long to rank well again. If you guys remember in mid of July same action was taken against of text-link-ads.com and they not even rank for text-link-ads keyword.
I don't know what the hell happened but I have a site that for the last 6 months held the number 4 spot in G for the search term "paid directory", now it is sitting at number 144 I did not change anything at all, why fix something that's not broken. I have this strange feeling that my competition or some body with a site that I rejected may have reported my directory for selling links, just a paranoid thought, I can't think of any other explanation?? If this is the case then I see a lot of crap coming to directory owners for rejecting a site or out ranking your competition for the same search term. Does Google let webmasters know that their site has been reported for selling links? I also noticed that the Yahoo directory is listed in the 14 spot for the search term "paid directory" and that keyword is no where to be found on that directory, this could be a sign??
I think now G is taking action against of every one who sell links or have lots of irrelevant links on their websites. And probably this action is taken manually. So, Initially Directories are targeted and soon we will see Text-link-ads partners will suffer from this.