Directories penalised on last Google update

[gkd_uk]

Hi

Those directories which were penalised by Google on the last update, such as Aviva, do you think they were penalised because they were selling links?

Thanks

[Meti]

I think so, basically for selling PR links. It's just a wild guess, though.

- Meti

[gkd_uk]

Thanks Meti

I don't think Aviva advertised their PR or am I wrong?

I don't think I came across any advertisements where they used words such as PR6 or purchase links on a high PR site.

[Meti]

Thanks Meti

I don't think Aviva advertised their PR or am I wrong?

I don't think I came across any advertisements where they used words such as PR6 or purchase links on a high PR site.

I agree, but they were clearly selling text links, which still is abuse.

- Meti

[gkd_uk]

But don't most directories sell text links. So this mean all directory owners selling links will be penalised soon

[Meti]

But don't most directories sell text links. So this mean all directory owners selling links will be penalised soon

Not sure what you mean, if you're referring to sitewide text links on the frontpage, maybe that's a decision G will have to make later (though, this would be a very hard task).

Google recently blogged about web directories (Matt Cutts) he made some good statements, and as long as web directories provide what they're meant to, you should be all right.

- Meti

[rhyswynne]

Yes. if directories have a purpose, then there's nothing wrong with them. I suppose "blindly accepting paid links" will have to stop.

[gkd_uk]

Yes. if directories have a purpose, then there's nothing wrong with them. I suppose "blindly accepting paid links" will have to stop.

If directory owners did not charge, how would they generate reveue to the run their site? I am still a little confused of what Google does and does not like when it comes to paid links

[SkinnerW]

It's not so much about "charging" for links. The issue is with value you bring to the end user, which is the web surfer, not website owner.

The point Google is making that most general directories have no value, they are a simple link farms made with the single purpose to sell links and manipulate search results.

Did you ever have situation when you are looking for something and all you get is link to directory, to another directory, and yet to another directory...

This is the main group who got the worst from google - sites with extensive interlinking among themselves.

[espmartin]

They (Google) don't like it at all when you sell advertising links, but they love it when the do it themselves.

Check this out, and follow the links: Google Selling Text Links (and Pass PR) | Plain Old Semantic HTML
Are Paid Links Evil? SES San Jose | Web Standards Weblog (click on the "Read More..." link)