Building links are bad, mmmkay

[JournoNick]

The article reads:

John said this at the 55:40 mark of the video when a webmaster asked, ?is link building in any way good?? John?s initial response was, ?in general, I?d try to avoid that.?

source:http://searchengineland.com/google-try-avoid-link-building-can-harm-good-214861

So he pretty much rehashed what we already knew, to quote a BHW member "thanks for the revelations Snowden, but everyone at BHW already knew that".

If you focus on one particular thing instead of a marketing mix, then it probably won't do much for you. I won't disagree with that at all, but in no way is he saying that link building is to be avoided when mixed with other techniques. John is also not saying that Google can determine what is an earned link or paid link, unless they white list editorial links from sites that pay them to be included in the white list, which wouldn't surprise me.

The reason I posted this in the Black Hat Room and not The Lounge is I would love people to weigh in on this in regards to links and their experience with any fast ranking techniques used recently. What else are you using if not just focused on links?

 

[tony_d]

I dont know how else to rank other than links..?

 

[JournoNick]

I dont know how else to rank other than links..?

Only links? OR do you include something else into the mix?

 

[chickensalad]

The problem with a 'marketing mix' is that it isn't scalable, and it bores me to tears.

I've been doubling down on spam. It's slower and harder - but once it falls into place it's all systems go.

 

[lucasbraydon]

Strictly links and myself into the mix

 

[JournoNick]

So, another John Mueller quote shattered to bits.

 

[affarmy]

When Google tells us it's time to build links, THEN stop.

 

[Moosey]

Links play a huge role to this date, but you have to be smart about it. Natural and relevant are key words when you're looking to build links and they work hand in hand when done correctly. No one knows exactly when big G will devalue links from their algorithm, but for the time being it is the MOST effective way to rank when you're doing it right.

Interaction is becoming very important, seems the way Google will be moving in the future and further strengthening the semantic web -> RELEVANCY

 

[Jobdollarr]

Googgle was stupid, they will not know the link in pay or not.

That they know just crawl.

As google employee.
Google employee will never use blogspot for their site.
Although blogspot is owned by Google
They chose to use wordpress for business, or php website.

Traffic is not coming just from google.
Where have you been.
That freedom

 

[xjapan]

He should be saying lets focus on Adwords instead because link building does not bringing revenue to google

 

[SEO Power]

No one knows exactly when big G will devalue links from their algorithm

I know. It's never. Links will pretty much remain an integral component of the algorithm for as long as Google exists.

 

[vikiendu]

If one day Google decides to choose other factors than links to rank a site, I have no idea what the SERP will look like.

Links have been existing since the very beginning of SEO and G totally depends on links, it's not that easy to change the primary algorithm. There is heavy inertia here.

 

[SEO_Alchemy]

Only links? OR do you include something else into the mix?

Links are what rank pages.... everything else is marketing/traffic acquisition.

If you have methods for traffic acquisition other than SEO, then of course (if it's cost effective and produces enough traffic) you should use it. Even if you get slapped, you still have traffic outside of google rankings.

Content quality, bounce rates, load times etc... all play a role in rankings, but links trump them over anything else, and by far.

You build links, you rank, you get traffic.... if you get hit, well, take your content and do it over again, that's the blackhat way.

If you're worried about your site/business being hit for link building; then probably go for less spam and more quality, relevant, manual link building approach... but you'll still need to source those links somehow someway.

 

[nomansohail]

Well if link building is bad how else are you suppose to rank your site? :/

 

[vfmseo]

Dear,
Backlinks work a lot but the most important thing is the quality of backlinks, people get annoyed with link building when they don't get the desired results,but the issue is not with backlinks but the method and tools used in link building is of major importance. If the links are produced on high PR pages with manual and ******** characteristics then there would be no question about the validity of backlinks in ranking your site.

 

[JournoNick]

Dear,
Backlinks work a lot but the most important thing is the quality of backlinks, people get annoyed with link building when they don't get the desired results,but the issue is not with backlinks but the method and tools used in link building is of major importance. If the links are produced on high PR pages with manual and ******** characteristics then there would be no question about the validity of backlinks in ranking your site.

Thanks for the revelation Snowden, but everyone at BHW already knows this.

 

[Gyuman82]

Whenever they say not to build links always remember kids...