Links from swf file widely distributed?

[drimlike]

Hello,

I just realised that Google is listing as backlinks, links from swf games that we created and distributed widely. We never used this method to have backlinks but as we create the games and give them for free to other sites, we added a link back to our site, if the user who played the game want to visit us.

But I am worried that this is interpreted as black hat seo, and this affected our ranking badly. Anyone had this kind of issue? How do you think we should be tackling this? Is this could be affected our site?

Thanks for your help on this guys

[Ray-pp]

Correct, thanks for that correction. I do not think this would be considered blackhat.

[drimlike]

Ray,

our summary is spot on  thanks for your answer,  I was just wondering as the site that link to dropped a lot in the SERP and I was wondering if this could have been one of the reason why that happened.

Btw, I believe you meant  "... but I don't think it is" at the end of your message right?

Thanks Again.

[Ray-pp]

Let me see if I understand this correctly...

Your team developed .swf games and distributed them to flash game sites. In the .swf file you included a link back to your original website. Now, you're wondering if those links will be considered spam? No, I do not think so.

In fact, this sounds like a good way to build backlinks. If you're the original developer and legit websites want to distribute your game, let them and be happy about the link juice.

I suggest ensuring that you can track the links back to each game, watch to see which games are distributed most, and which games generate the most clicks back to your site. Then develop similar games and reap the rewards!

Unless someone else int he community has direct experience with this being black-hat, but I do think it is.