Warning: Many people may disagree with my thoughts in this post about back-linking but here goes…
Not that long ago, Meta tags were an important part of optimizing your website / blog.
Website owners stuffed their Meta tags with the same targeted keywords, like ‘cat food, lovely cat food, best cat food’…and numerous other slogans mentioning the same keyword phrase.
Along with other search engine optimization criteria, stuffing your Meta tags with keywords ensured you ranked pretty well.
Google changed their algorithm, and Meta tags are no longer used as part of their search engine optimization.
It’s the same story with reciprocal linking. I link my site to your site and you link your site to mine. We both get a great backlink! Everyone did it – well a lot of website owners did!
Google now puts very little emphasis on reciprocal linking.
“GIVE US THE BACKLINKS”
Then over the last 2 to 3 years it’s all been about building backlinks using anchor text. Build as many links as you can, vary the anchor text and you’ll get ranked.
Now that method of optimization is being abused.
Website and blogs owners are using ‘spammy’ SEO services that promise to build you thousands of backlinks for cents. And they do. Problem is the backlinks often come from ‘spammy’ or undesirable sites.
Hence the recent Panda and Penguin Google algorithm changes.
These algorithm changes were aimed at removing spammy backlinks and over optimized sites were impacted.
The Complaints Are Pouring In…
Many websites owners are complaining.
Many blog owners are complaining.
Their site rankings are falling.
They feel they are being penalized for building too many backlinks.
They’re not.
They are being penalized for building too many ‘spammy’ backlinks.
But this is just the beginning…
I believe over the next few months we will see more Google algorithm changes…all to do with targeting spammy backlinks.
And in 2013 backlinks will be way down in the algorithm that determines your website position in the search engines.
I think there will be more emphasis on quality content.
Oh no, here we go again…it’s all about the content.
But it’s true!
Your visitors come to the internet to find a solution to their problem.
“I have this problem and I need it fixed”.
They don’t want just theory.
They want actions they can use.
They want to be told what to do.
Let me say this again: They don’t want just theory.
Now be honest…how many of your blog posts are just theory?
High level fluff!
Dare, I say…I think it’s the majority!
So how will Google determine quality content?
Like they do now.
How long do people stay on your site?
How many pages do they view?
The bounce rate.
How many people link to your content from their site?
How many people have shared the content on the major social sites like Twitter, Facebook and Google+?
These aspects will be given more emphasis.
This is going to be my back linking strategy from now on…
Don’t even think about backlinks.
“Whoa” I hear you say!
Think of it this way…if you are doing certain things / tasks JUST to build a backlink…STOP NOW!
Do you comment…just to build a backlink?
If yes…then STOP! You should comment because you want to comment and add to the conversation.
Do you guest post…just to get a backlink?
If yes…then STOP! You should guest post because you want to widen your brand and profile.
Do you set up social site profiles just to get a backlink?
If yes…then STOP! You should set up social site profiles because you want to share other people’s work.
That’s the theory out the way!
Actions For You…
Forget about backlinks but do this…
1. Social Profiles
Set up accounts at the following:
Google+
YouTube
Each of the above allows you to add links to your site.
But remember we are not setting these up just for the backlinks…we want to share other people’s work on these sites.
2. Commenting
Comment on blog posts but ensure you add to the conversation. Remember others will read your comment and get an opinion of you. You are not writing just to get a backlink. If you do, think of it as a bonus.
After your comment is approved, add the blog post to your social sites like Google+, Twitter, etc.
3. Guest Posting
Above I mention that quality content is important. It is even more important when you guest post.
Every day I receive about 5 – 10 requests for guest posts to be published on my blog. The vast majority are absolutely rubbish. Not related to my niche, poor grammar, high level fluff or they want backlinks to their sales pages!
They go straight into the email trash!
Go ahead and guest post but ensure you provide awesome quality content and only link back to your website/blog or “about me” page.
4. Your Own Content
Make it the best possible. Make it so good, people want to share and link to it.
From now on, don’t perform tasks that just build backlinks.
Simply concentrate on sharing your wonderful knowledge and experience to help people solve their problems.
Disclaimer: Of course, I have no inside knowledge (nor does anyone else – well unless you are Mr Google) of what Google are going to do next. This is just my gut feel.
Now…over to you…what do you think?
Am I talking rubbish?
Am I talking perfect sense?
Please share your thoughts in the comments below (and not just because you want a backlink!!!)
Andrew is a website builder and helps small businesses with their on-line presence…so they can grow their customer list and increase sales. That’s it! That’s what we do each and every day.
Hi Andrew, I have heard a lot that the social aspect and links to your articles will become a major component in your search engine rankings. But it makes wonder how Google would be able to index and check how much the link was shared on Facebook etc.
Vivek
One day…we MAY find out!
Andrew
Hey Andrew,
I’m really very lazy about commenting on any blog posts. I was concerned about building back-links to my website. Now I’m going to focus on building good content.
Hey, You have discussed some really very important topic. Google new updates like Panda and Penguin has affected a large number of sites. I am already doing commenting and guest posting for building backlinks. These are very healthy way of building backlinks of good quality but it’s little time taking. But it’s ok if you want your website to be ranked on top.
Vikram
Unfortunatley, it does take time! There are no quick wins these days or there are, they don’t last very long.
Andrew
Your opinions are indeed make sense. Google from last year updating their algorithms for better blogging experience. During that update lots of people founded their sites banned, ranking fall and many other problems. Now I’m seeing people still following same SEO strategy and relevancy is the new thing SEO workers are now following to keep up with Google. So yet Google ranking can be achievable by following old tactics and relevancy. So I don’t see backlink or old backlink tactics are not popular in Google eyes rather than slow progress result. Thanks.
I agree with you and understand that your opinion is good and truly makes a sense. Google is the real hero as well as a villian for the SEO optimizers..
First of all…nice post. It made me think a lot.
I agree this is going to happen in the long run…however, it will take some time for Google to create an alghoritm to find out what is quality content and what is average content.
In addition, backlinks are still the most important asnd relevant way for Google to understand whether someone likes your content – I agree Google finds out when someone has too many backlinks from similar sites (let’s say just blogs), however I believe Google will look for sites that have few backlinks from many different unique www’s and from different sources (some social media, some blogs, forums, review sites, edu, gov, etc).
I am a (wannabe) affiliate marketer and am running three sites at the moment with different strategies:
site 1 (the oldest one, 8 months)- I create some backlinks with a good combination of backlinks from different sites and different type of sites: for the moment the rankings of this site are quite good
site 2 (age less than 1 month) – a lot of anchor text from sites with a lot of comments (probably some spammy site as well): no ranking for the moment
site 3 (1,5 months) – some good quality backlinks driven by the quote “less is more” i.e. quality over quantity: good rankings
site 4 (not yet started) – will try to create an affiliate site with no backlinks but just 1 or 2 reviews per week and will report on the results
In any case thank you for sharing your thoughts
Serge
Sounds like you have some great test results, there.
Where do you go from here?
Andrew
Thanks Andrew Rondeau, by your comment i have come to know how to use linkedin to get links.
Great post, I ‘m impressed
Devid
Great – glad you linked the post on getting links from Linkedin.
Andrew
Andrew
I like what you are saying here. I’ve been offered many hyped up schemes which will build backlinks for you.
So far, I have resisted.
Steve
Steve
Continue to resist. Best to create great content and build natural back links.
Andrew
I wasn’t even taught commenting on blogs for backlinks those are just a convenient bonus in my opinion. While I thinks it’s still a part of the equation I think anyone would be foolish to put all their eggs in one basket anymore.
I am sooooooo glad to see a lot of those junk sites disappear and I hope that if someone is serious about building a business around their blog that they would offer quality content.
Elisa
It really is getting more and more about the content.
Google is expecting high quality and to survive…we have to comply!
Andrew
At first i respect your knowlegde on SEO. Your post will surely becomes a perfect guide for all fresh bloggers. You have explained in detailed about how to make a good traffic to our blogs. Thank you for the valuable information sharing.
Jithin
I’m glad you liked the post – I hope it helps.
Andrew
If people do believe that you are rubbish, they will change their idea soon, you are 100% right Andrew! Google want to remove spamming, i know, its not possible at all, but, Google will surely Hurt spammers at large scale. As Google has Introduced Google Authorship, and Google Author Rank, it is clear that Google is strict against Spammers, the same strategy is about Backlinks, Google want US to use the backlinks is right way, as Andrew Explained. Google Don’t Need Backlinks for sake of Backlinks, Google want to see with readers eye, am i wrong Andrew?
Junaid
What you say is right – just think it will take a little time before Google gets to that stage.
Andrew
Thats really True. Google teach every thing soon by his Algorithm. By Introducing Google Author Rank, Google proved that Google don’t need any thing but Visitors only, Google Author rank is in fact respect of visitors. Google want to see your respect in Visitors. What do you say Andrew?
I agree totally with your feelings about earning backlinks, just for the backlink’s sake.
In fact I resent the way Google ‘judges’ a site’s authority by the number and quality of your backlinks.
There must be a better way of assessing the worth (to readers) of a website. Although I don’t know what it is – from Google’s method of Ranking point of view.
And you said something that surprised me:
“You should set up social site profiles because you want to share other people’s work.”
Other people’s work? Really? I thought social media was all about promoting your own brand.
And now I’m going to confess something controversial: I wish social media did not exist. I really do. Not for anyone, anywhere. The world would be a nicer, kinder, safer, more thoughtful, more productive and more creative place.
So there. 🙂
Carol
Yes, I like to share good content. Plus if you only share your own content, you could be classed as a spammer!
Andrew
You make me laugh, Andrew: I don’t share my own content through social media – I let it sit there and wait for people to find me – I think I have a marketing problem! 🙂
One more thing, Carol…”I scratch your back and you’ll scrath mine (well hopefully!)”
Andrew
Informative article for a newbie like me. I think Guest posting is the best way to build backlinks. Guest posting on blogs with high PR and DA will give you do-follow links and you will have a brighter chance to increase your page rank. As well as,these links will remain with you until the blog owner deletes your guest post.
Tasneem
Very true.
You just have to work hard and create some great guest posts.
Andrew
its my personal views that quality back links will not end they can be off any resource say bookmarking,blogs,forums etc…but how you deployed it..the mean is more important for getting the link place and make feel search engine as a natural/real links
Guest posting is the only quality technique to build good backlinks, I have tried other techniques and really penalized by Google in those keywords. But guest posting is really difficult and time consuming now. 🙁
Maddy
What you say is true but guest blogging can be very worth while.
Andrew
Hi,
Nice article. True its all about being found o the net. Started my own website with a blog in it and wanted that people who could be intrested in my zumba classes would find me. So i started a facebook group to have close contact with my students and a webiste for getting new students and for making my excisting ones proud about there classes. My site is less than a month online and i rank 1 on my main search terms being zumba oostende. I did no blog spamming or annything else. Just a good url, correct and search friendly seo content. Sure i only need visitors who are near my town so that makes it more eassy.
If you have a wordpress org blog you could also loock at yoast for a verry good seo plugin.
Rel author is becomming verry inmportant for google so dont forget to make a google + account and make your blog checked as rel author.
Greets
Racquel
Racquel
Thanks for sharing your story and I agree about Yoast’s SEO plugin – really good.
And about G+.
All good stuff – thanks again,
Andrew
Amazing and super post.
you are right Andrew. One should not comment or write a guest post just to gain a back link. It is to be done to build up our brand name. Even though the importance of back links is too much. But, one should not spam for back links.
Building the backlinks have never been easier for me. I’m working on it right away to improve my SERP and Pagerank. Thanks for the article.
Hey Andrew, really interesting how you mentioned that thing. These comment links are about being involved in
the community or a part of being active in your market. Interacting with other people and having links naturally arise because of your engagement with the market. It’s also very social kind of link. All things that Google just loves… extremely white hat low-risk backlinks. Unfortunately, it looks like these comment links are here to stay, second to social media backlinks. Most of them have emerged because of the changes that Google has made in their algorithms for the last couple of years. I’m a newbie and all this link building has been a pain in the… 😉
Andrew
Nice post for the guys who are writing good content.
Few questions in my mind…
1. Its very easy to show that your content is worth reading..few laptops with different IPs and stay on the content for long time.
2. Decrease the bounce rate by clicking on links of website.
3. Create 1000 email ids and share.
Back links will stay here and will stay for long time…the only thing that will change is how you get backlinks.
Directories link will go away… more priority will be on how credible is the author..there are lot of another factors but back links will stay for sure
Ritz
From the things you mention…it sounds like a lot of work to generate any real benefit.
By writing great content, people will naturally do some of the things you mention.
Andrew
Andrew
Its feasible from a bloggers point of view.. what about the companies which sell their products only..apple, microsoft..samsung..should they start writing content…they definitely will make backlinks for their products..
Just one issue with your logic. You can have incredible content–the cure for cancer. But no one will fin it unless you are ranked on the first page of google and the only way that happens is BACKLINKS!!! Google has no way to know what is quality content. Their bot cannot read. Their bot can only assume the content is good if you have a lot and or high quality backlinks pointing to your site. There is plenty of worthless content on hr first p[age of the search results because it is published on “authority” sites – i.e. the sites with lots of backlinks.
Bob,
People will find out without backlinks due to your own marketing strategy like social media and sharing with your own lists. Doing that will generate backlinks and if the content is great, others will share.
You say: “There is plenty of worthless content on the first page of the search results because it is published on “authority” sites – i.e. the sites with lots of backlinks.”
That will change…over time.
Andrew
Good post. I always focus on my content if my content is worthy for users they share it so i don’t have to share. In short users do my job.
To be frank what you said is true. The backlinking strategy is coming to an end. Social media and quality content plays a major role for blog ranking. Thanks for this great article.
I do hope you’re right. It makes more sense for Google to base rank according to the quality of the content offered and by actual stats. I do see many problems arising with rank based on Social Media stats as well though. With the ability to back link thousands of times from social networks with no repercussions, there are far too many illegitimate sites that are gaining rank now. Plus many sites are now selling facebook likes, twitter tweets and so on. Things have changed tremendously from the days of basing your success on actual customer service and business ethics. Great Article by the way 🙂
Jake
I agree – not sure how Google will get around the Social Media side of ranking.
We wait and see…
Andrew
I agree with you.Backlinking strategy is really on end.
Thanks for shearing such a good information.
Hello Andrew,
Very informative & resourceful post for bloggers. I think the best way is to write unique & informative content. So we don’t need to bother Google algorithm or penguin update.
Totall agree, Ahsan.
Shame more bloggers don’t understand that and follow it.
Andrew
I have made experiment on few websites, and I think fresh daily content plays the most important role in new Google algorithm update. I agree with you that many practice “Grey Hat SEO” and get spammy backlinks, however, I also think that Google still values quality backlinks from related websites. I have seen how my websites have ranked on the first page with fewer than 50 quality backlinks and daily new content.
Christian
I also believe Google values quality backlinks from related websites. And their algorithm is changing fast to ensure sites are only rewarded for such backlinks.
Andrew
I think that the way to do this is content marketing. Don’t worry about the back links but get your message and your work out there. If you do a good job people will link to you and people will find you. If you are only building links one of the Google updates will eventually slam you because you aren’t doing it naturally.
Adam,
Can you define Content Marketing for me? What does that mean to you?
Andrew
nice post now i am try to write quality content. in now time i always want increase backlinks but now i know that without quality content backlink cant increase thaks for share this article
Great post Andrew. In two words it is all about quality and relationship building. Both of these skills take time and patience to build.Thanks for sharing
Also Visit my blog http://www.parufile.com/
Govand
I agree…get those points right and you have a much better chance of on-line success.
Andrew
Oy is all i have to say, Andrew. Well not all, but it’s my first response. There is so much confusion as to what constitutes a good traffic source and backlink…well, unless I am a dental clinic looking for a backlink from a blogging site. That’s pretty straight forward. But i think your take on strategy is spot on. Comment because you gained value, guest post because you only welcome top notch content and over all be authentic in your link building strategy, always try to create great USABLE content and someday, one day, your rankings will rise and you’ll be owning the search engines. by the way i got tto you via the awesome post by Ana Hoffman
http://www.trafficgenerationcafe.com/feng-shui-link-building/
Hi Suzen,
Thanks for coming across.
It’s a shame more people don’t have your (my) approach to back linking. Or perhaps it’s good that people do! Makes it easier for us to rank…in the long run.
Andrew
Thanks Andrew for the great insight. I agree with most of your points – but does it mean we should forget doing off-site SEO altogether. If yes, then genuine backlinks that are naturally build take a lot of time..which in turn means ranking at a slow pace.
Nauman,
I don’t think we should forget back linking – just don’t take actions in order to only get a backlink. Take the action and think backlinking as the bonus.
Andrew
Thanks for sharing this article Andrew.
I believe, guest posting is one of the best and evergreen ways of building backlinks. If you are not being benefitted then I guess you are doing it in wrong way, I think Jane from probloggingsuccess has written an article on this.
And blog commenting is also great way to build backlinks.
well, I’m glad you mentioned returning visitors, Andrew. I am convinced that the return rate is becoming quite important, more so than the bounce rate, which is relative.
Zumaira
You could be right. May of my return visitors just read my latest post and leave – hence the bounce rate can be high but at least readers are returning.
Would be interesting to know how Google measure this.
Andrew
yaa man i agree with you and also seen some blog and people whose account was banned by Google because of this all such type of spamming activities.. Now you have no more option without your own good and effective content.. just do it well and don’t copy anyone.. Google surely notice you..
Mike,
Spinning, copying, article directories…all old school, now.
Andrew
In my practical opinion quality backlinks still count. Maybe backlinks don’t count as much as they used to, but they still do. Of course you need to find other sinergies with social networks (especially google+) and post new fresh quality content periodically, but without good backlinks you will never reach the top results for your keywords. It’s my humble opinion, and I still agree with 90% of what’s written on the post. Thanks!
Jose,
Backlinks are still important but getting less so.
It’s natural backlinks that are still very important…not forced ones.
Andrew
Andrew, thanks a lot for these tips!!! I am struggling to rank sites after these animal updates and I hope these tips will work!!!
For the most part I agree with your article. When you were first tackling Meta tags you should have mentioned titles are still a strong ranking factor today :).
Also concerning Bob Richards comment that even if you write world class content that unless you rank well people will not find it. I felt exactly the same way you do for a very long time and felt all this talk about writing quality content will get you the rankings you need is not necessarily true. You can’t just write amazing content and expect it to go viral. Unless you already have an established following and popular blog you need to spend some time marketing your content. If you know you have something worth reading for many eyeballs you need to market that content via social media, networking and word of mouth. It’s not hard this day in age to spread the word about something new or interesting. If you can get your content in front of the right people they alone can make your work explode with popularity.
Also Andrew your article felt almost as if I wrote it myself. This is exactly my style as well as my way of thinking as far as back links and ranking is concerned.
Great post thank you for sharing.
Stephen
I understand exactly what you are saying. Of course, until you become known for great content, you have to market. And even if you are known for great content…you have to market!
It’s those natural backlinks that we should be aiming for…not forced ones.
Andrew
Just one issue with your logic. You can have incredible content–the cure for cancer. But no one will fin it unless you are ranked on the first page of google and the only way that happens is BACKLINKS!!! Google has no way to know what is quality content. Their bot cannot read. Their bot can only assume the content is good if you have a lot and or high quality backlinks pointing to your site. There is plenty of worthless content on hr first p[age of the search results because it is published on “authority” sites – i.e. the sites with lots of backlinks.
Danis
You have great content on the ‘cure for cancer’…people will find it. Firstly, the owner will market it and then others will do the same and that is what generates natural backlinks.
If it’s great content, you don’t need backlinks to be found in the first instance.
Andrew
Commenting is not only commenting but adding up to conversations. Well said point and I completely agree with you. I believe that commenting is an important aspect of bloggers, it is a kind of media that we as a blogger require. Blogging isn’t only restricted to Posting but more importantly towards communicating with our fellow bloggers.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts about the value of commenting that extends much beyond only backlinking.
Ashutosh
Since writing the article I think even commenting is losing its appeal to generating backlinks.
Andrew
Great post..
I am struggling to rank sites after these animal updates and I hope these tips will useful to me..
Thanks Andrew for your share..
This scares me a bit. Google changes things once a while, but I often read blogs and I make a relevant comment because I want to learn more and be part of the conversations. Because of this, more backlinks I get are from blog comments. But if that’s going to be an issue with google in the near future, commenting may have to change all together. I’ve noticed facebook style commenting in most blogs now a day.
Nice article,well written and composed,your ideas and advice about backlink is great,tips rather than making backlink are great,social media is great for the promotion of site or a blog,and tips about comments is great the valuable comment attract the traffic as well as the article writer.Thank for sharing these helpful tips.
i also need more end less back-links for my blog.. i want to get more traffic in my blog without spamming activity..
Good post Andrew. Creating a quality content and writing unique things on your blogs definitely will help you in longer run. These shortcuts of getting spammy backlinks never help you to build a quality website. If you are good in your niche, you can always build a community by commenting on their blogs which gives good credibility to you also.
Andrew, I really hope that your predictions about quality content will become true. I have been on Internet since the late 80s (as I worked at a university in Europe) and only universities had access to the internet. The content was AMAZING. Then it started to go downhill as more and more people were building websites. The worse happened when WordPress made it easy to build a website. Until then, at least one to have to learn HTML, etc… WordPress is great, but all the people streaming out and creating websites, often very bad ones. Nowadays, it is almost unbelievable how much “crap” is out there. So that’s why I hope quality content will prevail, because only people who are serious about their writing/blogs will keep putting the energy and effort to deliver good content. I also feel that the social media will be one day not as significant. With this overload of information that everybody is posting on FB, Twitter, Google+ etc, there is no time to read any of those links. Soon, people will ignore all the shared content, because it is just way too much. I guess we just have to slowly build our follower base through writing stuff that is very interesting to them and they want to follow forever 🙂
Suzanna
I really do think the great content writers will survive and succeed. I suppose it is down to what is great content.
Recently, Google have been talking a lot about ‘natural’ links. i.e. links from other sites that link to your content. They feel if people link to your site content and share it, then it must be good quality. Of course, there are numerous other calculations in their algorithm to determine great content…if only we knew what it was!
Andrew
Hi
I partially agree with you. Although Google & other search engines are always searching for the ways to find alternative of links but still link building has a greater impact on SERP.
Not sure when was this blog post written but currently google penalizes abuse of backlink. (just saying this cause you mention above that many just create a big large amount of links to rank better).