Reciprocal & Non-Relevant Links Killed by Google Jagger
Update!
by Mike Banks Valentine
Published on this site: December 8th, 2005 - See
more articles from this month
Google's latest algorithm update, Jagger dropped site rankings
dramatically of those that relied heavily on reciprocal linking
schemes and especially those that gained most of their inbound
links from limited networks of sites controlled by single companies. Some firms routinely sold those links and
marketing firms had provided links from their own network
of sites to clients.
This type of artificial link inflation has clearly been downgraded
by Google in the Jagger update and many sites participating
in extensive purchased links as well as marketing network
links have been dropped dramatically in rankings of competitive
phrases they previously did very well for.
Some of my own clients that had extensive reciprocal linking
schemes in place have dropped in rank quite seriously. They
naturally come running to me to ask why. When I point to their
reciprocal links directory, full of non-relevant reciprocal linking partners, they can barely believe me that it would
drop their rank so severely. When I remind them that I had,
very early in our relationship, suggested that they drop those
link directories from their site, it is difficult not to smile while saying "I told you so" to them.
One client had recently agreed to a substantial writing project
to add extensive copy and additional textual material on their
industry and products to their site. They were ranking on
page three of results at Google previous to the Jagger update
and I had convinced them that that position could be improved
by adding about 20 pages of focused and highly relevant copy
to their site. I completed that project a few weeks ago and
we're waiting for review and editing for the new section to
go live.
Meanwhile, Google completed the Jagger update and this same
client has dropped dramatically in rank for their most coveted
keyword phrases. Why? They had been participating in a large
link agreement with a single network of sites - a network
that was not relevant to their industry or their products
- but with thousands of links throughout the network pointing
one-way links to them using anchor text with their keyword
phrases included. Now that network has been recognized in
the latest Google algorithm update and the client site is
no longer rewarded for those thousands of links. They lost
their page three position and have dropped entirely off the
charts.
But - and I'm smiling here - as soon as we go live with the
20 new pages of highly relevant and focused copy that I just
completed for them, I'm sure they'll bounce back in the rankings
as soon as the new section is indexed and ranked where highly
relevant and useful copy belongs. This will clearly demonstrate
the value of that added copy and is likely to guarantee that
we continue with the additional 30 pages of valuable industry
and product content I had previously recommended. More industry
focused and highly relevant content means better rankings.
I've long insisted in my online ramblings that reciprocal
linking is a form of insanity. Thankfully, now Google has
agreed and clients are returning to have me save their position
on the SERP's. We'll first do what I recommended several years
ago and begin seeking one-way inbound links from relevant
vertical directories, industry news sites and client partners
and vendors. Then we'll add substantial relevant textual copy
- both original content and industry news, how-to's and reviews
contributed by partners and vendors.
Once they bounce back in rankings due to the added content
and new worthwhile links, I'll be smiling again along with
my clients. Maybe they'll believe me more readily when I tell
them not to look for quick fixes and easy answers. Because it's more expensive and time consuming to do things well (add
relevant content and seek one-way inbound links) than to look
for the latest simple tricks to game the system.
Further reference on technical aspects of the Jagger update
at:
http://shorl.com/dovipusteteja
Mike Banks Valentine operates http://WebSite101.com
Free Web Small Business Ecommerce tutorial and Provides SEO
content aggregation, press release optimization and custom
web content Search Optimization http://seoptimism.com/SEO_Contact.htm
Web Content Article distribution by http://Publish101.com
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