Linking to the Good - and Avoiding Linking Spam

The trend started by Google has spawned many followers.  Search engines can be now be found all over the web, and several website owners are actively competing to have their links placed high at the top.  On the other hand, all links are not created nor treated the same by search engines like Google.  In fact, most of them will never receive a quality ranking due to a lack of relative content.  Aside from that, negative linking techniques may actually result in an individual being banned from a search engine. 

To link or not to link - consider spam the question

Many businesses are now participating in link exchange programs and unknowingly using link farms to increase the popularity of their site.  Unlike links that you would find on relative sites, those found on a link farm site typically have no relevance to each other - they are basically just a collection of different links from all across the web. 

Much to the chagrin of aspiring online business owners, Google and other search engine brands are not very favorable of link farms, often labeling those web addresses as spam.  This form of search engine optimization is despised so much that they will actually remove web sites from their index if they have any connection with a link farm.  The mere threat has spooked a few people into removing all outbound links originating from their site. 

Unfortunately, these fears have decreased the website value of many potential businesses, visitors, and the web in general.  There is nothing wrong with exchanging links; it is rather common on the internet and actually encouraged by those who have been successful at online marketing.

For example, if you are a publicist with services to aid upcoming authors, it's natural for one of your pages to consist of helpful links that redirect visitors to relevant resources.  This will help your cause and is likely to intrigue your audience.  However, if you become tangled into a shaky link exchange system, you may be doing much more harm than good.  Instead of redirecting visitors to relative information, they are being linked to sites that have nothing to do with their interest.  You may then realize that you are the centerpiece of a linking spam conspiracy.   

Positive linking for the search engines

Many search engines have quickly adapted to spamming techniques and do not these offenses lightly.  They warn individuals that their sites are subject to penalty if they are linked to identified spammers.  They will never punish anyone for having a plethora of quality links, but are very skilled at picking out the cheaters. 

To remain on the right side of the ongoing spam war, you can remain positively active in marketing your site by following these three steps:

1. Stick to your niche: Be sure to keep all of your inbound and outgoing links focused on the theme of your site.  If your industry is in demand, this may increase your ranking and help web surfers find the site. 

2.  Stay away from link generators: You will find that many of the automated programs that claim to run your link exchange program are not as effective as they claim to be.  The best linking strategy is one that is personalized with your touch.  If that site will help your business, send the administrator a greeting introducing yourself. 

3.  Use text links: The search engines are drawn to keywords.  Placing text links opposed to image banners on your site increases your chance at higher ranking. 

Creating back links is an important strategy in search engine optimization - but only if done appropriately.  If your website is associated with a spammed link page, then that does not bode well for your search engine rankings.