Backlinks are DEAD! Let us brainstorm!

45 replies
  • SEO
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Brainstorming a topic throws up light and clarify ourselves and enlighten our ideas. That too brainstorming on a controversial topic would for sure, pull in some great points to ponder.

With Google deindexing lots of blogs and services that are used to create backlinks, it looks for me like backlinks are dying! Being Social is the key to SEO, that's what Matt Cutts says.

Let us start a healthy discussion!
#backlinks #brainstorm #dead
  • Profile picture of the author The Expert
    I'd have to disagree. The only thing dead is "easy" backlinks. The kind that don't require any digging in order to find a place to score one. Dofollow blog comments from true High PR pages (not root domain PR) are boosting sites up faster than ever now.
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  • Profile picture of the author Adevictus
    Backlinks are in good shape, automated spam is going to be taking some hits however...
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    • Profile picture of the author Glen Cameron
      Yeah, Google is doing a great job of keeping Internet Marketers paralyzed with fear.

      If you are trying to rank only one site (like an authority type site) it pays to take the time and acquire the highest PR backlinks you can get.

      If you have a lot of smaller sites (like niche sites) that you are trying to rank I would stick with creating a few web 2.0 properties on sites like Weebly, Wordpress, BlinkWeb, etc and link those sites to your money site(s). Then you can hit those Web 2.0s with whatever means you have at your disposal..

      Good luck!
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      • Profile picture of the author JoshN
        Originally Posted by theincrediblepulp View Post

        Yeah, Google is doing a great job of keeping Internet Marketers paralyzed with fear.

        If you are trying to rank only one site (like an authority type site) it pays to take the time and acquire the highest PR backlinks you can get.

        If you have a lot of smaller sites (like niche sites) that you are trying to rank I would stick with creating a few web 2.0 properties on sites like Weebly, Wordpress, BlinkWeb, etc and link those sites to your money site(s). Then you can hit those Web 2.0s with whatever means you have at your disposal..

        Good luck!
        I decided to try this and see how much the web 2.0 sites protect my money site. The site had multiple keywords moving upwards through the ranking quite well just using UAW to the web 2.0 sites. So I decided to crank it up a bit and use this site to create lots of back links to the web 2.0s

        Internet Marketing & SEO Forum - IMT Website Submitter

        The next day all keywords fell off the map and never came back..

        So you can deff pass negative link juice through a web 2.0 layer... but I haven't found that much good link juice gets passed through them. I have sites with web 2.0 layer protecting the site and they dont rank well, but if I use UAW and just link directly back to my nice site, but drip them out slowly over a few weeks it seems to still work so far.

        I am still looking for a better option. I bought Scrapebox but I cant get it working and the owner just keeps saying its something on my end. I'm really looking for a better backlinking solution, because any big money site I won't want to use UAW on.
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        • Profile picture of the author limestone614
          The answer is not to use Web2.0 properties on free hosting setups such as weebly, blogger etc.

          Use several real domains, on shared hosting plans as the buffers / protection.
          Domains are only $6.51 and you get full control on the URL and URI then.

          Shared hosting works out as little as $1/domain a month with only 9 domains on each and you can run easily 30 or 40 sites, until they themselves get too much traffic.

          We tend to use multiple layers of sites, specifically to avoid the problems you are encountering.
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          • Profile picture of the author Mike Anthony
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            • Profile picture of the author Kurt
              Originally Posted by limestone614 View Post

              The answer is not to use Web2.0 properties on free hosting setups such as weebly, blogger etc.

              Use several real domains, on shared hosting plans as the buffers / protection.
              Domains are only $6.51 and you get full control on the URL and URI then.

              Shared hosting works out as little as $1/domain a month with only 9 domains on each and you can run easily 30 or 40 sites, until they themselves get too much traffic.

              We tend to use multiple layers of sites, specifically to avoid the problems you are encountering.
              Originally Posted by Mike Anthony View Post

              Yep thats the way to do it. the web 2.0 properties can be used just to get the hang of it but the lack of control on those sites just makes it a WAAAAY weaker alternative
              I agree to the point I'm taking this a step further and am starting a private membership where we get together and trade hosting space.

              For example, if you have a reseller account you can set it up to allow someone else to have a domain or two on your hosting, and you get the same on his/hers hosting. This is a low cost solution and allows you to grow your own private network.

              If anyone is interested, it's free to join (for now) at www.Seedz.net .
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      • Profile picture of the author jwmann2
        Google's entire algorithm is based primarily on backlinks. It's how it gauges a website's popularity. Google has the ranking system down to a T and they are becoming better and better at determining which websites are natural and which are spammy and unwanted.
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  • Profile picture of the author JKflipflop
    I totally beg to differ - backlinking is not losing value in the eyes of Google, but yes automated and spam backlinking is. And on the contrary, if you have some quality backlinks coming from non-automated resources, there is no reason that you won't be at the receiving end of some Google love!

    While a lot of people are worried about sites getting deindexed, I am just glad that I did not play the spam game on a large scale so far in my backlinking and SEO efforts. Automation tools are actually fruitful - but they need to be used very consructively.
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  • Profile picture of the author UMS
    Backlinks are certainly NOT dead. Never have been, never will.

    It's like the regular as clockwork claims that "SEO is dead".

    However, the one thing that is certain, is that spammy and/or low quality backlinks are not worth pursuing.
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  • Profile picture of the author Leo Wadsworth
    I agree - spammy backlinks are dead, but value added backlinks (like invited guest blogging with real, quality, unique content) will be around forever.

    Also, variety in backlinks has become much more important to protect yourself, AND on-site SEO is still important, as long as it is done properly.

    It is perfectly OK to make things "Google friendly" - but when you cross the line into trying to fool Google you are in risky territory.
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    • Profile picture of the author CoreyT
      Originally Posted by Leo Wadsworth View Post

      I agree - spammy backlinks are dead, but value added backlinks (like invited guest blogging with real, quality, unique content) will be around forever.

      Also, variety in backlinks has become much more important to protect yourself, AND on-site SEO is still important, as long as it is done properly.

      It is perfectly OK to make things "Google friendly" - but when you cross the line into trying to fool Google you are in risky territory.

      Even though this is an older post, I agree with every last word.
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  • Profile picture of the author gearmonkey
    Backlinks are not dead, spam low quality forum links, scrapebox blasts and other various spam links are DEAD.

    Build high quality authority backlinks and your site will flourish.
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  • Profile picture of the author JoshN
    BTW talking about backlinks... has anyone used this software.
    Press Release Submitter - The Best Online Marketing Software

    I just downloaded the trial and it seemed to work pretty well
    Deff a time saver but I am literally just starting to dip my toe into press releases, Why don't training courses talk about this stuff
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    • Profile picture of the author jackrice
      Originally Posted by JoshN View Post

      BTW talking about backlinks... has anyone used this software.
      Press Release Submitter - The Best Online Marketing Software

      I just downloaded the trial and it seemed to work pretty well
      Deff a time saver but I am literally just starting to dip my toe into press releases, Why don't training courses talk about this stuff
      this is a cool tool i will give it a try
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  • Profile picture of the author kochtgr
    Originally Posted by TamilYoung View Post

    Brainstorming a topic throws up light and clarify ourselves and enlighten our ideas. That too brainstorming on a controversial topic would for sure, pull in some great points to ponder.

    With Google deindexing lots of blogs and services that are used to create backlinks, it looks for me like backlinks are dying! Being Social is the key to SEO, that's what Matt Cutts says.

    Let us start a healthy discussion!
    Backlinks are not dying, it's the black hat SEO methods and unnatural links that are dying. So natural link building works even better now...
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  • Profile picture of the author mikegeller
    Backlinks are not dead but there is some kind of problem as my website lost almost a huge part of backlinks. I lost ranking against some of keywords but still i am trying to increase the numbers. Now i think quality is the most wanted thing by search engine and that web page which have social media liking and getting backlinks from there is important...
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  • Profile picture of the author dp40oz
    Backlinks are alive and well as ever, thats why Google deindexed blog networks. Because they work too well.
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  • Profile picture of the author yookerseo
    I don't think backlinks are dead by now. Even if they de-index some private blog networks, we can still build high quality links from Wiki sites, social bookmarks, press release sites, Web 2.0's, etc.
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  • Profile picture of the author JSProjects
    Another sensationalist "such and such is DEAD!" post. Backlinks are certainly not dead.
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  • Profile picture of the author limestone614
    Backlinks are definately NOT dead.

    Just make sure you select good ones.

    Content is king through, you do not need loads of backlinks, if you have good content, they kinda come anyway.

    By Content, I mean a good, easy to understand and use website, fully of good, relevant content.

    It does not matter what the niche.
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  • Profile picture of the author SeoKungFu
    No they are not dying, what is dying away - for the better - is low quality links.
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  • Profile picture of the author OmarNegron
    I think backlinks are still good to go, just the harder ones to come by are going to be viewed as more important to the Search engines eyes.

    -Omar
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    • Originally Posted by OmarNegron View Post

      I think backlinks are still good to go, just the harder ones to come by are going to be viewed as more important to the Search engines eyes.

      -Omar
      exactly, backlinking is great.
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  • Profile picture of the author dwooding
    To start, I wouldn't believe everything Matt Cutts says ...

    Originally Posted by TamilYoung View Post

    Brainstorming a topic throws up light and clarify ourselves and enlighten our ideas. That too brainstorming on a controversial topic would for sure, pull in some great points to ponder.

    With Google deindexing lots of blogs and services that are used to create backlinks, it looks for me like backlinks are dying! Being Social is the key to SEO, that's what Matt Cutts says.

    Let us start a healthy discussion!
    If by spammy / low quality, you mean comment links, article links, sitewide links, then spammy links are not dead - just look at some of the top ten sites in some of the most competitive markets and you will find sites that are using "spammy" links.

    automated spam is going to be taking some hits however
    backlinking is not losing value in the eyes of Google, but yes automated and spam backlinking is.
    However, the one thing that is certain, is that spammy and/or low quality backlinks are not worth pursuing.
    I agree - spammy backlinks are dead,
    spam low quality forum links, scrapebox blasts and other various spam links are DEAD.
    Backlinks are not dying, it's the black hat SEO methods and unnatural links that are dying.
    what is dying away - for the better - is low quality links
    Amen.

    Backlinks are alive and well as ever, thats why Google deindexed blog networks. Because they work too well.
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  • Profile picture of the author TamilYoung
    Thanks a lot for all the warriors! You have made this discussion interesting and insightful. Certainly most of you have agreed the automated backlinks are dead. We must look for means to get natural backlinks which will be our next best SEO Strategy. Thanks again!
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  • Profile picture of the author dailyseotip
    i agree,because i saw very more blog get spam to dead,why spammer work dirty.
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  • Profile picture of the author dannybcmg
    not dead at all

    the thing is, you need to be smart about the way you go arounf backlinking.

    make sure you link pie and link strategy consists of different types of anchor text: some rich KW, some brand Kw, and some long tale KW.

    this is definitely natural in the google eye.

    also make sure that the sites you link from are relevent and differ in there metrics.

    mix up the target target- 50% homepage- the rest deep links.

    good luck!!
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    • Profile picture of the author praveen1
      Backlinks are still alive and will going to be in future 50 years....

      Suppose, If Google ignores backlinks, then how can they differentiate sites quality and give them rank accordingly.
      Yeah! low quality and easy backlinks are gone now....You need to work hard for quality backlinks and will have to wait....

      Thanks
      Praveen Sharma
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  • Profile picture of the author RA1
    I have come across a case study where the guy had created 4 websites with a gibberish keyword (same title,same meta description). The final o/p was the website having a natural profile of backlinks was ranking the first.

    So backlinks are not dead.
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  • Profile picture of the author Backlinko
    Links are alive and well.

    Social signals don't do a damn thing.

    Carry on...
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  • Profile picture of the author Thames
    The only thing that is dead are the old spammy methods. Don't acquire links in bulk, don't buy ANY package deals, steer clear of networks and forget about the primitive stuff like directories and comments.

    Just look how the big brands achieve results. They create stuff that people will like (and want to link to) and then they simply employ clever PR methods. If you have great content and you know how to amplify your message (on social networks and using legitimate outreach methods) you will build the links.

    You won't build many links, but you will build the few links that matter!
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  • Profile picture of the author yukon
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    • Profile picture of the author paulgl
      Originally Posted by TamilYoung View Post

      Brainstorming a topic throws up light and clarify ourselves and enlighten our ideas. That too brainstorming on a controversial topic would for sure, pull in some great points to ponder.
      ROTFLMAO!

      Brainstorm? You mean brainfart?

      This thread morphed into exactly what it was going to.

      Crazy topic, created I suppose for spamming.

      Did Mike A. make a post here? Must have been deleted or something.

      Great points to ponder? The sun will burn out one day. What can we do?

      Paul
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  • Profile picture of the author hipeopo02
    Originally Posted by TamilYoung View Post


    With Google deindexing lots of blogs and services that are used to create backlinks, it looks for me like backlinks are dying!
    yes, blogs and services with the sole intent to link build for others are dead. That is what you meant right?
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    • Profile picture of the author Mike Anthony
      Guys read the dates.

      This is a year old thread dug up. The premise was a total fail.
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  • Profile picture of the author Jennycall
    Backlinks are not dying, I think should not buy blogs web 2.0. which should build free blogs and social networking and do contextual links for all backlinks.
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  • Profile picture of the author PaidAllDay
    Backlink blasts are dead. Now the Search Engines want quality over quantity so you have to focus on building High PR low OBL backlinks from authority websites. It's also good to get a good mix of .edu and .gov links.

    I think the search engines are smart enough to see the footprint from programs like SE nuke and they realize that some random .info is highly unlikely to get 5,000 links a day on a regular basis. So any program or service that gives a high number of links, drip fed or not, may not be as beneficial as it once was.
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  • Profile picture of the author seoace
    The new title should be "Low Quality Backlinks are DEAD!"

    Backlinks are still alive & well.
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  • Profile picture of the author nettech4
    Links are valid but the age of spammy links is over. Also now we need to careful about from where the links to our website coming from. It is age of relevant links and quality content.
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  • Profile picture of the author mindtricks18
    Banned
    Back links strategy is not dead and certainly one Could still get backlinks and optimize their website for a good ranking. It just becomes little bit complicated.
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  • Profile picture of the author smodha
    In my opinion, backlinking will never die out as long as SEs value relevancy and let's be honest - why wouldn't they?
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  • Backlinks can never die.. google is deindexing blogs and some other websites as they are used for link exhange or spam..
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  • Profile picture of the author dalegolden
    As long SEO will live, Backlink will live too. Because without backlink, there is no SEO. Only content (even if it is the best in the world) cannot fix the luck of your ranking. Yes, you may not build backlink for yourself. May be your site users are building it for you through sharing. Still they are backlinks.
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  • Profile picture of the author affilorama-portal
    Backlinks are not dead. It depends, however, on the kind of backlinks you create. As long as you do not spam and follow the natural way of building (quality) backlinks then you're fine.
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  • Profile picture of the author DouglasP
    no, backlinks are not dying. Matt cutt want visitor to create backlinks not webmaster create backinks. That's the reason for he always say "natural links"

    Creating natural links, not backlinks.
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  • Profile picture of the author patco
    I don't think that backlinks will be DEAD soon... If those links are UNNATURAL and EASY to get, they could be DEAD (because they are already spammed to death) -> Quick example is the links where there is no admin... or at least they are auto approved (article marketing!)
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