SEO Link question

Discussion in 'Search Engine Optimization' started by Lukas, Nov 26, 2007.

  1. #1
    Anyone know or have definitive proof that an affiliate link makes that webpage devalued by Google, Yahoo or MSN..?

    I know it is an outbound link so yes it is somewhat devalued for that, but is it devalued more b/c it is an affiliate link within very relevant text

    http://www.searchenginejournal.com/matt-cutts-confirms-paid-links-google-pagerank-update/5906/

    Matt Cutts thinks so.

    I heard it does for LinkShare, but CJ is OK, reason I ask is I just put up a few more cj links on highly trafficked page. I don't want to mask it with tiny url or I may risk losing a sale

    thoughts.?
     
    Lukas, Nov 26, 2007 IP
  2. Dan Schulz

    Dan Schulz Peon

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    #2
    If Matt Cutts tells you that it's wrong, it is - he DOES work for Google afterall. Just add the rel="nofollow" attribute to the link and be done with it. Besides, do you really want your PageRank score to go down because you have a bunch of affiliate links bleeding PR from each page?
     
    Dan Schulz, Nov 26, 2007 IP
  3. Trapped

    Trapped Well-Known Member

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    #3
    All what we heard was about selling and buying links, not about affiliate links. Can you post URL where "exactly" Matt Cutts said that using affiliate links can get your website devalued ?

    What I saw on that post, actually on the comments, was someone "speculate" that "maybe" he lost PR because he used affiliate link, but that would really make no sense.
     
    Trapped, Nov 26, 2007 IP
  4. Dan Schulz

    Dan Schulz Peon

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    #4
    (for the record, I didn't follow the link)
     
    Dan Schulz, Nov 26, 2007 IP
  5. grandaddy

    grandaddy Peon

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    #5
    I have a page ranking on google first page, first position for decent keyword. Been there for about two-three years now. I put in affiliate link one day not too long ago for CJ with nofollow. Googlebot hit the page the same day. Next day, the term dropped three positions in SERPs. Two days later I removed it and then two days after that the page was back in first position and hasn't budged since. May be pure coincidence, but I'll leave the page to make what money it is making until I get balls again to play with it. Just for note, nothing else on the page was changed, just added the link to a term already found on the page. Draw what conclusions you may.
     
    grandaddy, Nov 26, 2007 IP
  6. Lukas

    Lukas Well-Known Member

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    #6
    how about anyone seeing it happen , then using a rel="nofollow" did that move it back up..?
    if so, u did it with cj as their links are structured differently .

    would a php jump script solve this ? go to steve dawson dot com put article0006.php after slash

    thanks
     
    Lukas, Nov 27, 2007 IP
  7. gyutae

    gyutae Peon

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    #7
    That article is for paid links, not affiliate links.
    Paid links include using services like Text Link Ads, ReviewMe, or PayPerPost - basically anything that is purposefully done to gain link value and manipulate search engine rankings.

    I think you're safe with using affiliate links - in many cases the links don't even pass on PR or link value.

    To be safe though, you might want to use redirects (so no one can hijack your affiliate links) and to use nofollow.
     
    gyutae, Nov 27, 2007 IP
  8. abe

    abe Active Member

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    #8
    I've got a little site I've been tinkering around with. My simple "under construction" landing page was ranked in the top 20 results for my key words. I added some relevant content and a few Linkshare affiliate product links and site instantly dropped to 280th in results.
     
    abe, Dec 5, 2007 IP
  9. reddoggabi48

    reddoggabi48 Peon

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    #9
    I want to know what is the maximum number of words that could contain a static link in order to be indexed by google??
     
    reddoggabi48, Apr 21, 2008 IP
  10. godsofchaos

    godsofchaos Peon

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    #10
    Exactly, always use a no follow... think of it... without a no follow it looks like you are selling links... which I hope you arent right? All honest advertiser will add that attribute so if ya use that it shouldnt hamper your advertisement opportunities at all... You should always, I mean always believe in Cutts... he really does give out honest info. Best of luck with the adverts and all and hope this helps :)
     
    godsofchaos, Apr 21, 2008 IP
  11. Dan Schulz

    Dan Schulz Peon

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    #11
    There isn't one that I'm aware of, but the general rule is to keep them short, sweet, direct and to the point to maximize the "SEO ROI" on the value of the text inside those links (which ironically also tends to make it easier for people to read - and click).
     
    Dan Schulz, Apr 21, 2008 IP