Wordpress themes with footer links affect SEO?

AudioRoxor · 08-10-2011, 08:49 AM

I use the Flexibility 3 theme. You can use it for free but they place 3 links in the footer of your site, often to insurance companies. They'll remove them if you buy the theme.

I'm about to roll out a good number of sites and I want my ON-PAGE SEO to be as good as I can get it.

My question is, do you think these links in the footer bring a bad first impression when Google finds your site for the first time? Any experiences with it affecting your rankings? Or is it dismissible?

Any opinions would be great. Thanks!

AudioRoxor · 08-11-2011, 02:36 PM

Any opinions here?

paulgl · 08-11-2011, 02:42 PM

It depends. Is it a javascript putting links? If so, the point is moot.

Since you have no control over the links, and "if" google sees
them, and they are bad sites, and you have adsense, well....
you should take notice. It also bleeds PR. But again, if the links
are behind some script, probably no big deal.

I see no reason to use a theme that puts links, paid or free,
on your site. That's just a bad business practice.

Paul

guitarjosh · 08-11-2011, 03:28 PM

You're opposed to editing your footer and just removing the links?

AudioRoxor · 08-11-2011, 05:55 PM

Thanks Paul. I can't really tell if it's javascript. I'll look more into it.

The links are encoded in the footer with some a whole bunch of crazy characters. I'd have to figure out some way to decode it to take them out.

Besides, that's kind of stealing.

kaedus · 08-11-2011, 10:21 PM

There are other free themes you can use that don't have that. Or just remove them. Or if it makes you feel bad then man up and spend a little money.

dburk · 08-11-2011, 11:24 PM

Hi AudioRoxor,

Those links will definitely have an impact on your SEO. Either buy the theme, or move on to a different theme.

BlakeM · 08-11-2011, 11:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AudioRoxor

Thanks Paul. I can't really tell if it's javascript. I'll look more into it.

The links are encoded in the footer with some a whole bunch of crazy characters. I'd have to figure out some way to decode it to take them out.

Besides, that's kind of stealing.

It is not hard to decode it; google it. I've done it before just so I could make sure the links were nofollow, not to remove them. They were. Either way, I woul try to find a linkless theme... There are plenty out there. And I wouldn't get a theme by wordpress itself... They also force links on you.

Super Warrior · 08-12-2011, 03:10 AM

I don't think they have any strong influence on your SERP.

- Steve

08-10-2011, 08:49 AM	#1
AudioRoxor Active Warrior War Room Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 61 Thanks: 7 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Wordpress themes with footer links affect SEO? I use the Flexibility 3 theme. You can use it for free but they place 3 links in the footer of your site, often to insurance companies. They'll remove them if you buy the theme. I'm about to roll out a good number of sites and I want my ON-PAGE SEO to be as good as I can get it. My question is, do you think these links in the footer bring a bad first impression when Google finds your site for the first time? Any experiences with it affecting your rankings? Or is it dismissible? Any opinions would be great. Thanks!

08-11-2011, 02:36 PM	#2
AudioRoxor Active Warrior War Room Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 61 Thanks: 7 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Re: Wordpress themes with footer links affect SEO? Any opinions here?

08-11-2011, 02:42 PM	#3
paulgl Plundering the Web War Room Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: , , . Posts: 4,851 Thanks: 804 Thanked 1,200 Times in 887 Posts	Re: Wordpress themes with footer links affect SEO? It depends. Is it a javascript putting links? If so, the point is moot. Since you have no control over the links, and "if" google sees them, and they are bad sites, and you have adsense, well.... you should take notice. It also bleeds PR. But again, if the links are behind some script, probably no big deal. I see no reason to use a theme that puts links, paid or free, on your site. That's just a bad business practice. Paul
	How to Make Money off Facebook: Login to your account. Deactivate your account. Get your butt to work.

08-11-2011, 03:28 PM	#4
guitarjosh HyperActive Warrior Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 475 Thanks: 42 Thanked 68 Times in 47 Posts	Re: Wordpress themes with footer links affect SEO? You're opposed to editing your footer and just removing the links?

08-11-2011, 05:55 PM	#5
AudioRoxor Active Warrior War Room Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 61 Thanks: 7 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Re: Wordpress themes with footer links affect SEO? Thanks Paul. I can't really tell if it's javascript. I'll look more into it. The links are encoded in the footer with some a whole bunch of crazy characters. I'd have to figure out some way to decode it to take them out. Besides, that's kind of stealing.

08-11-2011, 10:21 PM	#6
kaedus HyperActive Warrior Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 105 Thanks: 8 Thanked 6 Times in 6 Posts	Re: Wordpress themes with footer links affect SEO? There are other free themes you can use that don't have that. Or just remove them. Or if it makes you feel bad then man up and spend a little money.

08-11-2011, 11:24 PM	#7
dburk Senior Warrior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Tampa, Florida Posts: 4,643 Thanks: 162 Thanked 671 Times in 581 Posts Contact Info	Re: Wordpress themes with footer links affect SEO? Hi AudioRoxor, Those links will definitely have an impact on your SEO. Either buy the theme, or move on to a different theme.
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08-12-2011, 03:10 AM	#9
Super Warrior Super Warrior War Room Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: FireFox Posts: 267 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 315 Thanked 99 Times in 57 Posts Social Networking Contact Info	Re: Wordpress themes with footer links affect SEO? I don't think they have any strong influence on your SERP. - Steve
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