Google Slap - Affiliate Doomsday

I have a site that has recently been Google Slapped.

I know that there is prob some information on this in the forum. But I cant find anything regarding the most recent 3.4 update and how to overcome it.

Was ranked #2 for a very high traffic weight loss keyword for well over 3 months, then one day out of no where, seems like almost every affiliate site got hit and dropped to page 3 and beyond. I am wondering why the aff sites got hit and not the others.. 8 of the top 10 were affs, and now only 1 remains in the 9th position. Looking at my comps, we all have very diff links, and all have good content, good interior linking etc..

Could Google be targeting affiliates now?

How are you linking to the affiliate? Straight link or cloaking it thru a no-spider directory?

I think most here are still trying to figure out an exact method.

Here is a good link to a theory that I like on how to fix the problem: http://www.audiencebloom.com/2012/03...ow-to-recover/

It is just a theory, but I have seen some great movement on my long tail keywords. The short tails are a little more stubborn, but still slowing progressing...I think the short tails might take another 2-3 months...

blackieman said:

How are you linking to the affiliate? Straight link or cloaking it thru a no-spider directory?

Click to expand...

I use straight link.. I tend to try not to cloak. Some of the competitors were cloaking tho.

manny521 said:

I think most here are still trying to figure out an exact method.

Here is a good link to a theory that I like on how to fix the problem: http://www.audiencebloom.com/2012/03...ow-to-recover/

It is just a theory, but I have seen some great movement on my long tail keywords. The short tails are a little more stubborn, but still slowing progressing...I think the short tails might take another 2-3 months...

Click to expand...

Great article.. I have already started the generic link building side of it.. And looking at my links, probably 50% or so were keyword based anchor. Maybe from this we can see what the threshhold may be for over-used anchor.
Will post here with results.

Unless you're a big brand/MNC, you should expect most sites whose purpose is anything other than informational to take a hit in the near future as this drives AdWords revenue. In other words, develop an alternate strategy for sites that rely almost entirely on organic Search to make money. Excepting, of course, made-for-adsense MNSs, so long as you're not spamming them to death with links that will trip the algorithm (super-high quality MNSs are a big part of the successful future).

I really do hope people are understanding the not-so-subtle implications of what's going on, here, with Google. Sadly, I doubt that people are.

The fact that you ranked so high for so long says you must've done something right. The competition is tough. However, I agree with the other posters. Some of their methods may help you-as they would me.