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My beef with Google's explanation of how to build quality links

by jonanderson
14 replies
  • SEO
    • |
You just opened a website selling tooth picks, and you want to get to the top of Google. You have a nice clean website with good structure and good navigation. Now it is time to build some links. Linking building is without doubt the most effective way to gain ranking.

But wait Google says you can not pay for links. They will even penalize you if they detect this, so what is their answer to this. The same old cliche ( create quality content that people will link to )

Ok, so I start writing content about tooth picks. They are wooden and pointed on the end. Lets face it, their is only so much a person can say about tooth picks. Their is only so much " content " to be written. Now I have spent hours writing content with the " high hopes" that someone finds my articles about tooth picks interesting enough to link to. For some industries, this just wont happen. Some topics are simply not interesting enough for people to link to. Even if you could gain some links from hours of writing, the results in Google would be weak from a few links.

So now what ? You need links to gain ranking. Oh but wait, you can not pay for links. See where I am going with this? You are doomed if you do, and dammed if you don't. Links that used to be good links are now considered spam links. I can find articles online saying not to seek article links, form links, blog links, you name it. Pretty soon you run out of link options.

You can't pay for links, but writing content does not provide the links you need to clime in Google.

You pay for blog links, and that is no good.

Article links are also no good.

Form links will get you a manual action

And the list goes on....

I would love to hear the perspective from other SEO's on this topic. How does a company that sells a simple product gain hundreds of quality links ( Non Paid ) without buying them? How does Google's explanation make any sense to the guy selling tooth picks.
#beef #build #explanation #google #links #quality
  • Profile picture of the author Paul Tovey
    I am with you 100%, I sell potatoes and tomatoes for a living to small grocery shops..

    I've been writing blog posts on a bi-weekly basis for one year and quite honestly have nothing more to say. I just link from the big 10, Twitter, Youtube, Facebook etc etc.. but this gets me about 1 visit per month.

    Running pretty low on ideas though.
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  • Profile picture of the author online only
    Hey Jon,

    You have somewhat good knowledge about SEO and linkbuilding etc. I would say do this:

    1) Do guest posts on sites that usually don't offer guest posts - in that way you can add your tooth sticks link inside the article, not in the "bio" box - Use Twitter and G+ to find such prospects

    2) Find 3-4 best articles around the web about tooth sticks (there's not much probably, but something at least) - Rewrite those articles, add more facts/info etc and start outreaching people who have linked/shared similar, but outdated content

    3) Create an infographic about tooth sticks (make sure it has some sort of point that people like or at least some "WOW" effect). Again, outreach and share it as much as possible.

    4) Add your site to high PR directory sites, of course you have to pay for that, but I doubt that Google will penalize you for having links from well-established directories (JoeAnt for example)

    5) Maybe you can do some broken linkbuilding, who knows...

    6) Find webmasters in similar niche and offer "help". I once got a PR5 homepage backlink by offering a "new logo" for his site. It only took $5 and fiverr to do the trick.

    7) You can always build a niche targeted network for your tooth sticks site

    8) Write testimonials, donate etc...

    Just look for creative ways to gather semi-decent backlinks and you are at the top of Google in no time
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    • Profile picture of the author TolyZ
      Originally Posted by online only View Post

      Hey Jon,

      You have somewhat good knowledge about SEO and linkbuilding etc. I would say do this:

      1) Do guest posts on sites that usually don't offer guest posts - in that way you can add your tooth sticks link inside the article, not in the "bio" box - Use Twitter and G+ to find such prospects

      2) Find 3-4 best articles around the web about tooth sticks (there's not much probably, but something at least) - Rewrite those articles, add more facts/info etc and start outreaching people who have linked/shared similar, but outdated content

      3) Create an infographic about tooth sticks (make sure it has some sort of point that people like or at least some "WOW" effect). Again, outreach and share it as much as possible.

      4) Add your site to high PR directory sites, of course you have to pay for that, but I doubt that Google will penalize you for having links from well-established directories (JoeAnt for example)

      5) Maybe you can do some broken linkbuilding, who knows...

      6) Find webmasters in similar niche and offer "help". I once got a PR5 homepage backlink by offering a "new logo" for his site. It only took $5 and fiverr to do the trick.

      7) You can always build a niche targeted network for your tooth sticks site

      8) Write testimonials, donate etc...

      Just look for creative ways to gather semi-decent backlinks and you are at the top of Google in no time
      And then some Indian that got hired by Google to do manual web spam check on link profiles will look at your guest posts, high PR directory links etc. and issue you an "unnatural links" penalty.
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      • Profile picture of the author jinx1221
        Originally Posted by TolyZ View Post

        And then some Indian that got hired by Google to do manual web spam check on link profiles will look at your guest posts, high PR directory links etc. and issue you an "unnatural links" penalty.
        Or you could do everything by the book, and still get penalized. :rolleyes:
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  • Profile picture of the author godoveryou
    As a blackhat, I have all sorts of tools I would deploy to eliminate that problem.

    But putting my whitehat on, I see some options that both of your are missing.

    The first step is to find something intriguing or controversial to write about in your niche.

    For number 1, maybe write about how plastic toothpicks are killing the planet, or new biodegradable toothpicks. Maybe talk about the dangers of plastic toothpicks? How about a story on a man that died from using a toothpick?

    The point is that you've got to find an angle, even if it's one just barely related to your niche.

    For number 2, you've got it much easier.

    Interview the grocers you work with and then tell them where those interviews are on your site. Have them link from their sites to the interviews on your site.

    Or, talk about the health benefits of your veggies. Or talk about juicing.... The sky is the limit in your niche.

    Once you have content worth sharing - reach out to other bloggers and build relationships.

    Link to their blogs. Interact with them on Twitter or Facebook. Make yourself known to people in your niche that already have traffic and an audience to spare.

    Once you get a little interaction, offer to write a guest post, or see if they would be willing to work out something promotional. For instance have them tell their audience about a give away for following you on twitter.

    Once you're known and are building links or an audience - continue to blog about interesting and controversial topics.

    Don't stop once you have a little success.

    Every day, check your social profiles and interact with your audience. Thank them for following you. Tweet directly to them. Be a person with them, they will like it.

    Then share your most interesting articles on the social networks and see where the cookie crumbles...

    Does your audience then talk about you with others? Does your blog appear on forums? Stay alert and setup some Google Alerts for your brand and your articles.

    Every time you get an alert, get out there and interact with your audience.

    Really, link building is easy - but it does require consistent effort.

    Hope that helps a little bit.
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    • Profile picture of the author online only
      Originally Posted by godoveryou View Post

      Don't stop once you have a little success.

      Every day, check your social profiles and interact with your audience. Thank them for following you. Tweet directly to them. Be a person with them, they will like it.

      Then share your most interesting articles on the social networks and see where the cookie crumbles...

      Does your audience then talk about you with others? Does your blog appear on forums? Stay alert and setup some Google Alerts for your brand and your articles.

      Every time you get an alert, get out there and interact with your audience.

      Really, link building is easy - but it does require consistent effort.
      Couldn't said any better
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  • Profile picture of the author jinx1221
    Sticking with the example about toothpicks.. the competition of toothpicks can't possibly be that high. So, what are your competitors doing that are making them rank higher than you? Use a tool to investigate their backlinks, then equal and better them in both number of backlinks and quality of your site. Find other angles too, like GOY said.. write an article about your critique on someone's toothpick art:



    Or how to use toothpicks in making a presentable hors d'oeuvre platter:



    Or an interesting fact:

    Since 1900, 17,000 people have died from toothpicks. Among them was American novelist Sherwood Anderson. Read more at Over 17,000 people have died by choking on toothpicks since 1900. - OMG Facts
    Or what year and why they decided to make Swiss Army Knives with a toothpick built in:


    Really the sky's the limit on just about any topic, even something as dull and boring as toothpicks
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  • Profile picture of the author Bent SEO
    Here is an EXCELLENT piece of content about this exact point - from an SEO expert.

    White Hat SEO is a Joke - Kris Roadruck
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    • Profile picture of the author cooliojones
      Originally Posted by Bent SEO View Post

      Here is an EXCELLENT piece of content about this exact point - from an SEO expert.

      White Hat SEO is a Joke - Kris Roadruck
      This is a really good read, and it's calling me to the dark side as well!
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  • Profile picture of the author yukon
    Banned
    I guess your ranting because article directory, forum spam, & blog comment spam suck for SEO?
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  • Profile picture of the author nik0
    Banned
    I still have a trauma for toothpicks after stepping into one at my 8th birthday. Did that hurt, yaiks!
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  • Profile picture of the author Bassosa
    Your niche is toothpicks so your competitors face the same issue: no chance of generating interesting 'linkable' content.

    This makes it a non-issue.

    If I was Google that would be my rebuttal.
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  • Profile picture of the author dadamson
    You need to outreach your approach, think outside of the box that is your website and start engaging with other people in your market.

    Content-wise there is much more that you could be doing to generate natural links.

    Let's just say your niche is toothpicks, here are some things you could do to build your link profile naturally and rank at the top of Google for your desired keywords:

    1. Create a Facebook page, link it with Google. You could post pictures of creative ideas people have created out of toothpicks. Post an interested fact each day about what a toothpick can be used for (i bet there are thousands!) - All the likes and shares will act as natural links when your website is configured with Facebooks integration.

    2. Reach out to other people in your industry, sell your brand of toothpicks to them, even offer toothpick affiliate programs and get them to promot your website from their site.

    3. Create a toothpick blog and offer a clear RSS feed link, get other people syndicating your content across their websites.

    4. Guest post on other peoples toothpick websites.

    5. Create articles about toothpicks on various article directories, but micromanage them and optimize them for visitors.

    There are just so many more things you could be doing than sitting there building content on your own website that no one is reading.

    Think more like a BUSINESS rather than a WEBSITE.

    Dave
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  • Profile picture of the author goindeep
    I used to have the same 'doomed if you do, doomed if you don't mentality' as you jon.

    It's not true though. You have to understand that Google has to say that... they have to.

    If they turned around and said we can buy links they would screw themselves but also if they say you cant buy links but you can get links this way and way... and begin telling us exactly how to get links they will also screw themselves - so they do the only thing they can do which is to say links are like votes cast yet you cant buy them and then they leave the rest up to you.

    Its about marketing at the end of the day and that is what it all comes down to. If you run a business and you cant figure out a way to get links without directly paying for them or not paying for them at all then you should not be in business.

    Think outside the box

    At the same time, do not rely on Google for traffic, consider it a bonus or a slice of the larger pie. Just like in business how you should diversify your revenue streams, well you should also diversify your traffic streams, it's no different. If your #1 traffic source is Google, you should be scared, very very scared. that last statement is so good I am going to put it in my sig
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