Do free Wordpress footer links hurt seo?

[Nauthiz666]

So I got a template, customized it a bit, really like it. Only to find out later that it has footer links that cannot be removed or it breaks the page (to the developers sites he is obviously trying to rank). I mean maybe can remove them but its been a headache, everytime i try to adjust the code, just breaks the site. If I leave these links with it fuck up my seo and rankings?

 

[joshweaver9]

I don't think it will hurt the SEO at all. Most people using the CTR theme do not remove the backlink and many of those rank very well in SERPs.

 

[Nauthiz666]

I don't think it will hurt the SEO at all. Most people using the CTR theme do not remove the backlink and many of those rank very well in SERPs.

Yeah I was hoping it wont. I just get annoyed to hell by having them there to be honest. Since the links are off topic to the site, they are like "Electronic Cigarette" "Host gator coupon" when my site is medical profession related.

 

[idealu]

It won't hurt your site(but will pass some link juice)... EXCEPT if the site you are linking to is a BAD site.

 

[spytron]

I agree as both above ( idealu & joshweaver9 ) its should be fine do you have any example we could have a look re the links and maybe help out , as i offer footer slide ups for htmls and WP ( and will be offer a few freebies soon on here for you guys) just a thought.

I know im noob here sorry guys but have bought a few things here if in doubt just pm me
cheers

 

[Tensegrity]

Every link that you don't need or want is going to hurt your overall SEO strategy in some way. I would remove it.

If you are having trouble with the code, just paste it here and I can help.

 

[orzyman]

don't worry and thats the whole point in free website theme

 

[Nauthiz666]

Every link that you don't need or want is going to hurt your overall SEO strategy in some way. I would remove it.

If you are having trouble with the code, just paste it here and I can help.

Well I identified it in the footer and in the theme functions. I tried removing both blocks, then the page turns into "Please put the links back" kind of crap.

 

[Tensegrity]

Well I identified it in the footer and in the theme functions. I tried removing both blocks, then the page turns into "Please put the links back" kind of crap.

So there is another spot in the theme that is causing that error. You just need to find that and remove it as well.

If you let me know the name of the theme, I can download it and check out the code, or if it's a premium theme you can send it my way or give me temp ftp access (I won't bite I promise ) I'm sure I could find it, I work with WP themes all day long. You can PM me if you like.

 

[grav6]

Hi mate, are you using Windows? NotePad++ will search through multiple files for a particular text. You could download the template and search all files for the message that comes up.

Another one to watch out for is any links that are hidden using CSS (just view HTML source of your site).

 

[Tensegrity]

@Nauthiz66

Sent you a PM with the fix, lemme know if that works out for ya. (you should make a backup first of course).