Google’s current ranking algorithm update
You have probably noticed that Google is currently updating its ranking algorithm. This seems to be a major update because many webmasters have seen big changes in their rankings.
The PageRank of www.MSN.com dropped to PR2 in this latest update so there really seem to be some big changes in the new algorithm.
There is mounting evidence that reciprocal links are becoming a less effective part of Search Engine Optimization (SEO). The top search engines are now placing more importance on One-Way Links.
In the recent past, a massive link trading campaign could get your site to the top of the Search Engine Ranking Positions (SERPs).
Now it seems sites that go overboard with reciprocal link campaigns may be getting penalized in the SERPs by having all of their reciprocal links completely ignored by the search engines. If you have gone too far with your reciprocal linking program, you are at risk of those links simply not being counted. This makes it extremely important to use reciprocal links in moderation.
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If you read any of the major search engine forums, you will see lots of threads about established websites that have been top 10 for years, suddenly dropping to the top 100 without making any changes. Studies suggest the common denominator between many of the affected sites seems to be a over reliance on reciprocal linking programs. There is mounting evidence that reciprocal links that formally counted as “real” backlinks are now being seen for what they are – links traded to game the Search Engine algorithms.
Experts recommend that websites have no more than 15% reciprocal or traded links. If a website passes the 15% reciprocal link threshold, there is a very real danger that all of its reciprocal links will be discounted. The effect of this can be a disastrous drop in the SERPs.
So what can you do?
Get a Professional Analysis of your links.
If your website currently ranks well but relies heavily on reciprocal links to achieve its good rankings, now is the time to start figuring out a strategy to increase your percentage of one-way links to reciprocal links ratio. Here are a few simple things you can do to achieve this goal:
- Get more one-way links from related websites!
- Offer something on your site that inspires others to link to you
- Write articles in exchange for a link to your website
- Participate in Forums and include your domain in your signature
- Participate in Social Media like Facebook, StumbleUpon, Flickr, YouTube and others
- Consider Paid Links from popular, related websites
- Consider Pay Per Click Advertising (such as Google Ads)
- Eliminate any reciprocal-linking between your own sites
- Use a second site to create a 3-way triangle link trades rather than reciprocal trades
- Delete your links to unrelated websites
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See www.linkbuddy.info for Do-It-Yourself Professional Link Building Tools and How-To Videos
This article was adapted from a number of Internet Marketing Forums, Newletters and specialty articles on the Link Structures of the Web – the most notable source is the fantastic newsletter from LinkAdage.
