The Final Word : Different Domains, Diff IPS

[tb987]

Good point Smeagin, but again it easy to get info about changes but are they using it in the algorithm.


Who doesn't break the rules? Webmaster Guidelines

I am sure the rules on linking change daily. They are now saying:

Excessive reciprocal links or excessive link exchanging ("Link to me and I'll link to you.")

What is excessive? 1 no, 2, no, 200 dunno

I am sure that is new.

[smeagain]

Who doesn't break the rules?

I don't, it would be irresponsible to do so on behalf of my clients and an unnecessary risk to their domain name.

[OldWelshGuy]

Originally Posted by tb987

Who doesn't break the rules?

I am sure the rules on linking change daily.

TB, your two points above show why it is bad to algo chase. Algo chasing is something I have NEVER done, I hoenstly can't remember the last time I looked at the Google webmaster guidelines because I KNOW I will not breach them.

White hat is NOt about working within the google guidelines, white hat is about best practices.

'get links from other on topic sites' is what has always been said. OF COURSE the guidelines change regularly, because the manipulators change tactics regularly.

Many people are using 3 way link schemes at the moment, well guess what, sometime in the future, Google will identify these sites as bad neighbourhoods, and WALLOP, we will once again see a shed load of 'my site has disappeared' type posts.

Make your site the best it can be, get one way links, write articles and do it PROPERLY write some for shotgunning across as many sites as possibel, write some for distribution across a handfull, write some for exclusivity on sites where you have contacted the owner, and write some for your own site.

Promote your site well, and the benefits are long term. Chase algo's once, and you WILL be chasing them all your online life.

[smeagain]

If you think you know better than OWG, then go ahead and break the guidelines using whatever camouflage you like, but eventually you may need another domain name and start all over again.

[KingPin]

I like asymmetrical linking (the real terminology for 3 way linking) but I can't help but agree with OWG to a certain extent.

The thing is with asymmetrical linking is that most people that do it don't see the wood beyond the tree's, meaning they just see a one way back link to there site.

I agree with the bad neighborhood thing and the same applies to reciprocals but if done right it can be powerful.

Asymmetrical linking is the most risky type of linking strategy. I think there will be a shake up soon and we'll see something similar happen like the Florida update. Anyone remember what happened then?

If you do you'll know why it's risky. Just as the idiots at BigMouthMedia.com.

The google guidelines are exactly what it says on the tin. Just guidelines, nothing more nothing less.

Like OWG says, he will never breach them because he is ethical in his approach so unless you're spamming etc etc there's no need to worry about the guidelines. I have never read them to be honest.

Algorithms are like women's mood swings, they change everyday so it's pointless trying to keep up with them. Just do things right and you'll be fine and you're site will always make money.

KP

[tb987]

Interesting debate

I have a directory that offers free listings in exchange for links. I don't think it is excessive reciprocal link exchanging yet, but there will come a point in time when it is in G's opinion.
I am in two minds whether to stop it and the reason is this - it is quite niche so the links are relevant. It perhaps isn't best practice, but it doesn't feel unethical either.

What are all the other directory owners doing?

In my mind I am concerned about something like Florida or whatever it was called happening again not because I feel I am being unethical but because if there was anything major there would be innocent casualities, like the oversized shoemaker described in John Battell's book on Google. To mitigate this I am doing things on different servers, etc perhaps it is a bit paranoid... eggs and baskets

OWG says "Promote your site well" and I totally agree with this and although I don't do much article marketing I do send out press releases which do get picked up - there are thousands of column inches to be filled every week. It is all about PR - that's public relations before anybody starts shouting : )

[smeagain]

Interesting tb987.
Unfortunately, it is a fact that there is a disproportionate percentage of Link requests and Directory promotions plus the consequential little green bar chasers on this forum. There is a massive amount of time and effort put into this "Religion" instead of quality Web Mastering that would result in less twitchy and longer lasting success without the nervousness of dreading the next algo tweak or heaven forbid Florida Mk2.

Quality web content, whether a directory or any other type, will attract it's own incoming links providing some time and effort is spent promoting the site. I know it's harder work and may take longer than the "You link to me and I'll link to you" strategy, but vulnerability to the fickle and fluctuating Algorithm then becomes others worry not yours.

[OldWelshGuy]

Google have a statement on their website technical and webmaster guidelines along the lines of "don't get involved in linking schemes designed to increase your sites page rank" . Now those obcessed with PR ARE doing just that. they are link building like crazy to their home page, they are using daisy chain file linking structures, and they are using NOFOLLOW on some of their links.

So here is me with my search engineers hat on.

OK boys, today we are going to have a look at NOFOLOW abuse. pull up a site with
1. nofollow on the homepage
2. blocks of outbound link that are NOT nofollowed
3. PR value above 5.0
4. 20% above the average ratio of homepage to innerpage links

That little list there would identify a HUGE amount of link sellers, ot possible link sellers (PR Abusers).

can you see how EASY some people are making it for the spam team to identify their sites? Now keep in mind that if identified as being PR maniuplators, they will be deemed bad neighbourhoods. ANYONE linking to these sites will then also get their trust factor affected. this can lower the bar on their site, and cost them rankings.

So like google say, don't get involved with shcemes aimed at increasing your PR'. OR, if you do,
a) make sure you are clever about it and don't behave like a little sheep doing the same as everyone else.
b) make sure you can afford to lose your sites.

[tb987]

Am I a nofollow abuser on the following site and am I giving bad advice about nofollows on the same site SEO 102: No-follow links | The Hip Zone

Ok this site has no PR, but I would probably get caught out by OWG when Jim fixes it for him to be Matt Cutts for the day. lol