Concerned about quality of backlinks - should I take action?
-
I regularly work on websites to which previous SEOs have built questionable backlinks.
This morning I've just been analysing some backlinks - found 40 odd were coming from 20 odd websites which all had the same gentleman as personal registrant, who happens to be the boss of an SEO company.
The SEO company name is mentioned in registrant details too, and often on the websites in question (including weblinks from some of these 20 odd websites to the SEO company). I did note the IP addresses / hosting for these websites did vary though, as did the postal address of the individual in question, perhaps throwing Google off the scent a bit.
I should add that these websites are virtually all tourism related/themed, with up to a few dozen backlinks per page - usually articles. It's very clear they are backlinking to keyphrases.
Now, this kinda thing<a></a> sets the alarm bells ringing. Firstly, this looks like an infringement of Google Webmaster Guidelines. Secondly, it doesn't sound like a White Hat technique for building links! Am I correct?
I guess it might be denied they are partner pages due to the quality of content, perhaps, which isn't as spammy as it might've been. However, I suggest these are at least paid links because there is no other clear way of getting content on these pages, as far as I can see.<a></a><a></a>
Should I demand these backlinks are taken down? What level of risk is posed do you think? I don't want this website to suffer a Google penalty at some point, particularly not after I've started work on it.
Thanks and I look forward to hearing from you.
-
Thanks for reply John - appreciated. Pretty infuriating isn't it, huh. To be honest, I think the SEO industry needs a minimum standard, a code of conduct that's policed in some way. There really is so much awful stuff being carried out in the name of SEO. From what I've seen, the SEO agencies I've come across do it (1) Because it's easy (2) Because they can show their clients quick results.
-
Thanks Robert - moving on with a positive focus is good advice. That said, I really have little idea how dangerous the kind of linkbuilding I've described really is. What level of risk my client has been exposed to. Hope Google doesn't hit them on those backlinks, that's for sure.
-
I have the same situation going on with one of my clients. Except their competition is doing the same exact thing to a larger extent and is ranking well for all the keywords which they have tried for. I just moved on and started to build high quantity back links. I don't understand why these SEO companies feel the need to do this kind of spammy link building. I have had the fear that there will be an Google update targeted towards spammy linking.... Meanwhile all we can do is do what Robert said and ask them to remove the links.
-
Luke,
You could send out demands for removal, etc. but I doubt they would get too far. I think the easier thing to do would be to move forward from where you are. First, most are not going to remove them and second, there are likely better places to spend your time (more SEO valuable). If you want to cover your client's butt in the event of a Google interdiction, send out some emails requesting the links be taken down, keep copies, and start building new links. At least you will have something to show them if there is a problem.
I have often run into this with clients and at first panicked. Today, I just move forward. Focus on the bigger issues:
Does the site have good content or is it spammy?
Is the SEO on page/site, etc. solid?
Are they targeting the right keywords?
Did I mention Content?
Are there ads everywhere?
Do you need a freshen up campaign? etc. etc. etc.
I think if you focus on those things and, if still nervous, send out the emails, you will likely be fine. If all else is solid and the site is quality, go get them some good links as I don't think Google is going to kill you over the links alone.
Best of luck.
Got a burning SEO question?
Subscribe to Moz Pro to gain full access to Q&A, answer questions, and ask your own.
Browse Questions
Explore more categories
-
Moz Tools
Chat with the community about the Moz tools.
-
SEO Tactics
Discuss the SEO process with fellow marketers
-
Community
Discuss industry events, jobs, and news!
-
Digital Marketing
Chat about tactics outside of SEO
-
Research & Trends
Dive into research and trends in the search industry.
-
Support
Connect on product support and feature requests.
Related Questions
-
Ahrefs Backlinks VS Moz Backlinks
HI Team and members We have website related to jobs in Pakistan and we purchased 5 niche edits backlinks to a specific page " MES Jobs 2021" In ahrefs it show only 2 backlinks to that page but in moz 0 backlinks but in actually there are 5 links. Why this happen in moz? We actually love this tool used for Keywords research for jobs in Pakistan find some cool keywords using moz but we facing backlinks issues in it.
Link Building | | AliHassanbinali1 -
What qualities to look for when trying to find sites to get backlinks from?
When trying to build backlinks, of course some sites are much harder to get links on than others. I am trying to figure out which sites my time and effort is best spent trying to get a link on. I may view a site as important and high quality but Google may not. Which tools and metrics within MOZ should I look at to determine if a site is worth the effort to get a backlink from? I'm sure "Domain Authority" is a factor. Which number makes it definitely worth pursuing?
Link Building | | Bperry129
Does inbound links and spam score count for anything? Which metric is best to look at to figure out the most powerful backlink I can get?0 -
HTTS vs HTTPS Backlinks
So I am going to change my entire site from HTTP to HTTPS, but SEMrush shows 21 backlinks on HTTP and 0 on HTTPS. How can I make sure I don't lose them after the switch?
Link Building | | moon-boots0 -
How do we identify poor backlink sites
We are often being preached to not get backlinks to dodgy or spammy sites but how do we identify these sites?
Link Building | | dynamyt1000 -
What kind of backlink give me trust?
Hello I'm newbie on SEO and I don't know which type of backlink give me moztrust. root domain or sub page? high pagerank? high domain authority or high page authority? high domain mozrank or high page mozrank? I need your lovely answer . thanks
Link Building | | vahidafsharicom0 -
How to Check the Amount of Deep Backlinks?
I'm thinking about checking the amount of deep backlinks on my site because I have a hunch that I don't have enough of them. Now, the problem is that I have no idea what tool (on-line or offline) I need to use. I did some Google research but it did not give me any results.
Link Building | | VinceWicks0 -
Backlink Lists
I am trying to create a valid list of backlink domain to disavow after a 50% traffic cut by Penguin......problem is I have now pulled lists from 4 tool and the lists are all different. I find a toxic domain from the tool run on LinkResearchTools and look on Google and Site Explorer and the toxic link does not even show. I look at the page and sure enough the link from year ago on a link farm is there. Is there really a rue definitive tool that will give me a list of all links? Better yet is there a tool that will help me evaluate which domain to disavow ? I want to follow Dr. Pete's advice and go slow but I am also anxious to cut ties with SEO work done by someone else in the hay day of link farm SEO and frankly looking at resent links some Bad SEO by competitors.
Link Building | | freestone0 -
Are backlinks to a domain that redirects useless?
I am working on trying to get backlinks. We are currently redirecting a few Domains to our current domain name. One of the Domains that is redirecting is the main Domain, we will be advertising in the near future. Can I send backlinks to the redirected URL or does it only carry link juice if it is to the main Domain?
Link Building | | hfranz0