Unnatural linking patterns and search engine rankings

minstrel · #1 (**permalink**) 09-05-2007, 12:22 PM

The effect of unnatural linking patterns on your search engine rankings
Wed, Sep 5 2007
Axandra.com

Quote:

Inbound links are one of the most important factors that Google uses to determine the position of a website in the search results.

Some years ago, it was sufficient to get a lot of inbound links to top Google's search results. Nowadays, it's not that easy. Google has started to detect unnatural linking patterns.

What are unnatural links?
Unnatural linking is linking that wouldn't happen if search engines didn't exist. Unnatural links are links that are built purely to increase the search engine rankings of a website. These links don't have topical relevancy.

For example, unnatural links are:

links from totally unrelated websites (that have no value to the web surfer)
links from blog comment spam and forum spam
links that exploit a weakness in server design (like form injection)

What are natural links?
Natural links are simply links that webmasters would also build if search engines didn't exist. For example, reciprocal links with related websites make sense (I send visitors to you and you send visitors to me, our visitors benefit from the links).

If a link is logical and on-topic then search engines will like the links. The following graphical example explains why on-topic links will increase your search engine rankings:

The topic of your website is symbolized by the green color. The more other "green" websites link to your site (symbolized by the green arrows), the deeper is the green of your own website.

In that case, search engines know that your website is very relevant for this "green" topic and they will give your site high search engine rankings for search terms related to that topic.

Now lets take a look at the effect of unrelated links:

The links from unrelated websites (symbolized by other colors) take away the green from your website. They make it harder for search engines to identify the topic of your site.

If you have a lot of links from unrelated web pages then your website becomes less relevant to the original topic of your site.

What does this mean for your website?
Links that are useful to web surfers are links that search engines deem relevant. Do now waste your time with shady link farm systems that promise hundreds of links in a short time. This won't help your website much.

Better focus on high quality links that will bring your website targeted visitors while increasing your search engine rankings at the same time.

mikeT · #2 (**permalink**) 09-05-2007, 01:50 PM

Interesting read minstrel... rightnow im in the process of just getting one-way backlinks. Its a tough task so we'll see how it turns out in a few months.

minstrel · #3 (**permalink**) 09-05-2007, 02:41 PM

The need for one-way links (and/or three-way linking) is another Google myth, Mike. There has never been an issue with reciprocal linking as long as the links are relevant (see article above).

Reciprocal linking can and usually does occur organically, for example between authority sites. Google has never penalized links for being reciprocal.

mikeT · #4 (**permalink**) 09-05-2007, 03:02 PM

Your probably right, and what you've said make sense.
However though.. from my previous statement im just on a mission right now strictly for one-way links. Reciprocal i'll do but only with relevant sites like you mentioned above.

FrogEngine · #5 (**permalink**) 09-11-2007, 05:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikeT

Your probably right, and what you've said make sense.
However though.. from my previous statement im just on a mission right now strictly for one-way links. Reciprocal i'll do but only with relevant sites like you mentioned above.

There may not be a need for one way links, but I do believe they give you an additional push. Especially the ones from social networking sites such as netscape. (Even though netscape is about to make some changes and move it's social network to " a different place")

mikeT · #6 (**permalink**) 09-11-2007, 05:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FrogEngine

There may not be a need for one way links, but I do believe they give you an additional push. Especially the ones from social networking sites such as netscape. (Even though netscape is about to make some changes and move it's social network to " a different place")

Hey thanks for the tip frogman hehe ... seriously though i read your blog, some good info in there. Lord knows i need all i can get

FrogEngine · #7 (**permalink**) 09-12-2007, 01:04 PM

Thanks, Mike. Will try to find more material with good info and link to it (create write ups about them) on my blog.

mikeT · #8 (**permalink**) 09-12-2007, 01:15 PM

Sounds good guy, i'll be sure and stop by from time to time for a good read

Quote:

Originally Posted by FrogEngine

Thanks, Mike. Will try to find more material with good info and link to it (create write ups about them) on my blog.

wrkjmg · #9 (**permalink**) 10-08-2007, 03:40 PM

what is 'links from totally unrelated websites'?
how know google this ?
what algorim use?

FrogEngine · #10 (**permalink**) 10-26-2007, 09:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wrkjmg

what is 'links from totally unrelated websites'?
how know google this ?
what algorim use?

What exactly are you asking?