Webmaster Tools a Trap?

[directaxcess]

So I was reading Bobbylove's thread and he stated that Webmaster Tools is just a trap ... is this true? I'd post in that thread but its been closed. He's saying that by using Webmaster Tools, we are making it easier for Google to track the backlinks to our websites? Can't Google find this information anyways? Isn't that how they give out penalties?

If Webmaster Tools is a trap, does that mean that Google Analytics is also a trap and should be avoided? Thanks.

 

[Dumper]

They will probably find out anyways but i avoid those tools as it is a easy pass into your business.

 

[tpaolo]

webmaster tools shows you what google already knows about your site, nothing new for it, it might be different for analytics, as you are allowing google to spy your site much deeper, but I dont' thinks so really

 

[directaxcess]

I didn't really think Webmaster Tools could be considered a trap. I mean, if you build spammy links to your website, Google will find out either way -- whether or not you have Webmaster Tools. That's like saying Google can't track your backlink profile without Webmaster Tools which can't be true at all if they rank you based on backlinks right?

 

[partymarty4870]

the only way GWT is a trap is if you put all your sites in one account, therefore telling google that you own all of them.

1 site = 1 account

 

[Laughing-Man]

I would recommend not using to be on the safe side. Its not really a needed tool anyway so why use it and risk even 0.01% chance.

 

[supermanden]

the only way GWT is a trap is if you put all your sites in one account, therefore telling google that you own all of them.

1 site = 1 account

This sounds very true to me.

 

[3v0|v3]

I don't think it is a trap. I have done many websites SEO, and the ones with Webmaster Tools rank the same than the ones without.

 

[Nightstalker]

It is not a trap, it is useful for us in many reason, But i don't use it and i only do bookmarking

 

[lancis]

Every Google service you use is a trap in some sense, especially if you let them execute javascript code on your site.

 

[kittenishkishy]

Anything of it that might be true, you can't do anything because if Google will really target and track our sites, it is going to happen, which is can't be avoided, remember, even hidden secrets can be found out.

 

[LakeForest]

Every Google service you use is a trap in some sense, especially if you let them execute javascript code on your site.

gapis.com runs on BHW . That always surprises me.

I personally have never seen a need for the webmaster tools and I don't use it.



The risks outweigh the rewards in my opinion. I barely run analytics on any site, and definitely not on sites that have adsense.

 

[tensureFP]

This does raise an interesting question though. Is google pulling data from their various sources for whatever purpose they want? Are they pulling data from gmail, analytics, adsense, google search, etc to rank, determine adsense account terminations, etc?

 

[blackhataffiliate]

They can find out what they want, but using webmaster tools just makes it easier for them. I do not use webmaster tools (never have) and have stopped using gmail as well for anything that has to do with my sites. Domain registrations, renewals, etc. The only thing I use from G is Adsense, but since I am getting paid I will accept the risk of use.

 

[johnnyflex]

i dont use webmasters tools but still got the penalty for almost all of my sites. But im using analytics because some of my sites are html

 

[sam0016]

I think the main problem with webmaster tools is having multiple sites in there it shows Google what sites you own if you really want to use it it would probably be best to have a different webmaster tools account per site.

 

[Nordajgt]

The "reward" is not worth the very real risk.

 

[Fwiffo]

the only way GWT is a trap is if you put all your sites in one account, therefore telling google that you own all of them.

1 site = 1 account

+1, but 1 site = 1 account = 1 ip if you really want to keep them more separated....

or cluster some sites together - so if you put 10 accounts on one shared hosting account, then it's usually ok for them to share the same ip / WT account (assuming they're just sitting there separately, and not interlinked / related, etc (however if you're bunching 10 accounts to 1 shared account you're probably playing in too low a margin projects to really make sense....)

 

[CoyoteAssassin]

At a recent Dan Kennedy conference, one of the guys there discussed SEO and he made the exact comment. He does SEO and said that he does not use WMT or analytics since it makes it easier for Google to spot those who are doing "unnatural" link building and optimization.

I didn't think about it prior to that, but it makes sense.

 

[directaxcess]

Alright, since I've already dived in and am using it... do you think its okay to remove it now -- or is it too late?