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Could hashtags hurt your ranking in SERP ?

by samfischer980
4 replies
  • SEO
    • |
Google has been penalizing keyword rich backlinks. But in another way, hashtags are keyword backlinks used within a site. But, a lot of hashtag use is spammy and are only used to get attention.

So, what will happen if Google decided to reward or penalize a social network user based on their use of hashtags? For example if a hashtag is considered unrelated to the tweet or status update, then that specific user would lose influence with Google or their tweets would be disregarded or ignored by the algorithm.As a result any site they would link to or be associated with via Google+ would also have less value in Google search. It would be more of a refined move to actually target users of a site, rather than specific behaviors or sites and might require more sophisticated algorithms.

Now, all this is just speculation, since Google is focusing more Social standings and your overall Klout score.

What are your thoughts?
#hashtags #hurt #ranking #serp
  • Profile picture of the author nettiapina
    Originally Posted by samfischer980 View Post

    Now, all this is just speculation, since Google is focusing more Social standings and your overall Klout score.
    It's very much speculation. Google does use some "social signals", but from their own G+. As far as I know they don't give any special attention to other social media sites. They definitely don't pay attention to your Klout score.

    It would be quite hard for Google to start collecting data about Twitter or Facebook users. Neither of those provides Google with information other than they get by spidering the site. If there's a spam problem, it's probably reported to site owners and handled that way.
    Signature
    Links in signature will not help your SEO. Not on this site, and not on any other forum.
    Who told me this? An ex Google web spam engineer.

    What's your excuse?
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  • Profile picture of the author paulgl
    Originally Posted by samfischer980 View Post

    Google has been penalizing keyword rich backlinks. But in another way, hashtags are keyword backlinks used within a site. But, a lot of hashtag use is spammy and are only used to get attention.
    Google has not been penalizing keyword rich backlinks, and how are hashtags a
    backlink? Besides, hashtagging seems to be only for nofollow posts anyway...
    even if they were. But that's like saying the grass my lawn chair is on is part
    of the chair..

    Google does collect data on twitter and FB, as much as they are allowed and
    can access. But many links and content can't be seen, not to mention
    a huge nofollow.

    Paul
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    If you were disappointed in your results today, lower your standards tomorrow.

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  • Profile picture of the author yukon
    Banned
    Wikipedia uses hashtags for most of their <h2> tags (jump links) across multiple sub-domains & millions of pages.

    Hashtags have been around long before Twitter or Facebook ever existed.

    It's like saying what If Google starts slapping pages with images since social sites use images.
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  • Profile picture of the author seophalanx
    Hashtags are keyword backlinks used within a site. But, a lot of hashtag use is spammy and are only used to get attention. If a hashtag is considered unrelated to the tweet or status update, then that specific user would lose influence with Google or their tweets would be disregarded or ignored by the algorithm.
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    Organic SEO Services India
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