5 Backlinking Strategies That No Longer Work
It's no secret in the world of SEO that backlinks are one of the most powerful ranking factors. In fact, some SEOs believe so strongly in backlinks that they place their entire focus on building more and more links to a client's website. Although even Google's web spam expert Matt Cutts admitted earlier this year that back links aren't going away anytime soon, there have certainly been plenty of changes in the way back linking works over the years. If you are using any of the following backlinking strategies, then you are running a major risk of a future penalty for your site.
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Directory Submissions
There are plenty of worthwhile directories out there, but you need to be very careful when submitting to directories. Many directories serve no purpose other than giving out links, and these directories are the ones that Google views as spam. The only directories you should submit your site to should be industry-related or well-known directories that internet users actually use to find helpful websites.
Guest Blogging
Last year, Matt Cutts announced that guest blogging was effectively dead. He doesn't mean you shouldn't guest blog at all, but you shouldn't do it for links. In other words, if you are using a guest blog for the sole purpose of getting a link, then you might as well go straight to Penguin jail. This is especially true if you are paying to get a guest blog spot. Guest blogging sites have been hit hard with penalties this year, and it's important to stay away.
Keyword-rich Anchor Text
Back links needs to appear natural. If all of your back links are still using your main keywords as anchor text, then you are asking for a penalty. Instead, diversify your anchor text and focus on your brand rather than on your keywords.
Blog Comments and Forum Posts
A very easy way to build back links is through blog comments and forum posts. While there's nothing wrong with posting a comment on a blog or in a forum, anything you post should add to the discussion. If your backlink profile is filled with blog comments and forum posts, then you are headed to the bottom of the search results.
Links for the Sake of Links
This is the ultimate catchall of link building. Any link you build should be created with the intention of having someone visit your site from that link. If the link will help boost your traffic, then it's probably a safe bet. If the link is for the search engines only, then you should probably pass.
In the short term, all links might seem to have value. But in the SEO world, short term should rarely be your goal. You don't need to stop building links now, but you do need to be much more aware of what you are doing.
How do you feel about the content in this article? Have you seen results that vary from what we've found? If so, let us know in the comments.