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When google slapped, does more backlinking fix it?

by FlashDriveDT
7 replies
  • SEO
    • |
So what if a page gets google slapped due to duplicate content and drops from rank 2 to 8. Let's also say the duplicate content issue is impossible to eradicate without effecting the ranking of your other pages....would generating more backlinks get the page back on track, reclaiming rank 2 or a bit less? Or would it be "doomed" to vegetate on rank 8 for the rest of its life no matter how many new high PR backlinks it acquires?
#backlinking #fix #google #slapped
  • Profile picture of the author dburk
    Hi FlashDriveDT,

    First let me say that the term "Google slap" has traditionally applied to having the Quality Scores lowered on your AdWords campaigns. Since this forum is about PPC and SEO your use of that term to describe your particular issue may mislead or confuse some folks. What you are experiencing is competition, not a slap, and probably not a duplicate content issue either.

    If by duplicate content you mean you have a canonical issue, meaning different URLs pointing to the same document, there are plenty of ways to resolve this issue. This link should help you out with information on how to resolve the issue:

    Official Google Webmaster Central Blog: Specify your canonical

    Google ranks webpages based on relevance, not how many backlinks you have. Backlinks can play a role in influencing relevancy scores, so if you gain optimized backlinks then, yes, they will help to influence your ranking.

    As far as duplicate content goes, it doesn't sound like that is your true issue. If your page is ranking at all then it is not penalized. Here is what Google has said about the subject of "Duplicate Content Penalties":
    I still hear a lot of webmasters worrying about whether they may have a "duplicate content penalty."
    Let's put this to bed once and for all, folks: There's no such thing as a "duplicate content penalty." At least, not in the way most people mean when they say that.
    To learn more about how duplicate content is treated by Google read this blog post:

    Official Google Webmaster Central Blog: Demystifying the "duplicate content penalty"
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    • Profile picture of the author ARVolund
      Seriously when there is a Google penalty you do not drop to #8, you disappear. Anything less than a HUGE drop in rankings is just Google deciding that there are more pages better than you.

      Ricahrd
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  • Profile picture of the author Phasm
    As stated above this is not what a "google slap" is. I also do not believe this is because of what you're referring to as duplicate content penalties (you should specify if you're referring to improper canonicalization or using something like ezine articles).

    There are two likely possibilities based on what you've mentioned:

    1.) Your competition is getting stronger
    2.) Google dance

    Your best bet is to ramp up your off page SEO strategy and keep building links.
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    • Profile picture of the author FlashDriveDT
      First I want to state that Im not a newbie to this so I would appreciate not being treated like one. I was very careful in what I phrased in my post - the experiences I have had with many pages/keywords is that, indeed duplicate content is the issue here.

      You see, I had this problem with this website before. Like this: After I posted a new similar page with another product and started ranking for it due to backlinks, a similar page I was already ranking for dropped. After I made altercations to the text in the dropped page, the ranking got restored. I have had this happen several times with pages of my site, especially the page/keyword Im referring to in my opening post. So please, no patronizing about "there is no such thing as duplicate content penalty" bla bla.

      Previously I was able to restore these drops but like I already mentioned, Im at a point now where I dont know how to vary my texts around anymore. The pages are simple product summaries and thats the concept my site is based on. The competition for these products is pretty tough as dburke alluded to so maybe that accounts for the apparently quick duplicate content "google slaps" I sometimes receive with these pages.

      Ive been doing a lot more backlinks for this specific page now in the hope of getting restored but nonetheless Im remaining firm on rank 8 now. Before that I had been ranking #2 for many months so clearly Google isnt liking something here. It drives me nuts that this one page I cannot seem to get fixed.

      In that sense:
      Originally Posted by ARVolund View Post

      Seriously when there is a Google penalty you do not drop to #8, you disappear. Anything less than a HUGE drop in rankings is just Google deciding that there are more pages better than you. Ricahrd
      So how does Google decide why these pages that were previously behind me are better again? They havent changed or anything and I doubt that major backlink campaigns have been done with them as they're not all commercial sites.
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      • Profile picture of the author dburk
        Hi FlashDriveDT,

        You are describing the classic effect of QDF. The exact opposite of what you have perceived, is actually what is occurring. You are not being knocked down by some penalty. Instead your are being temporarily boosted by the Freshness Factor. Once the temporary effect of QDF wears off your web page sinks back to its' truly deserved ranking. If you want to outrank your competitors on a more permanent basis, you are going to have to earn it via promotion not QDF.

        By the way, I don't think it fair to complain about being treated as a newbie, after all, you are using terminology incorrectly such as "Google slap" and "duplicate content penalty". Words mean things, and when someone uses them exactly as newbie might, it seems reasonable to respond in a corrective fashion, after all, this is a public forum with plenty of newbies who could get confused by using words inconsistently or incorrectly. Consider it nothing against you, but instead for the benefit of readers who actually are newbies.
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        • Profile picture of the author FlashDriveDT
          dburk,
          I understand that there's a lot of disagreement in the SEO world over these terms. Sure they are colloquial and Google itself says there is no such thing as slap or penalty. But again, my experience(s) have led me to believe otherwise hence Im making use of my freedom to use those terms.

          Anyway, thanks for the QDF hint, I hadn't really considered it that much (for the newbie: Quality deserves freshness ) but applying it to the situation with this keyword it doesnt explain. Because those pages that have passed me are actually older than mine. And on top of that I get the occasional comment (as its a blog) so my freshness factor should be better.

          I have done a lot more backlinks for this keyword in the past few weeks and it helped me climb up a few ranks again. But still not where I once was and want to be again. I guess I'll have to keep plugging away...
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          • Profile picture of the author dburk
            Hi FlashDriveDT,

            Actually, Google tends to rank older pages higher than newer pages because they have earned more trust simply by standing the test of time. The exception is when QDF is applied, which is temporary and lasts for a brief period. That's why you should expect your new pages to fall a great deal after the QDF wears off. Once QDF has worn off you will see your actual earned ranking. From this point you must begin to earn your way back in the ranks via promotion of your web page.
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            * Get Results - Outsource Your PPC Management |
            *             Don Burk Advertising & Marketing - www.donburk.com

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