Article site deletions and article recycling

[Ideaswise]

In the past I wrote around 30 articles and posted them on well-known article sites like ezinearticles.com. This was successful in SEO terms for several years, but Google Panda and Penguin have put paid to all that. About 18 months ago I paid someone to change my link text on those article sites (and also get rid of other spammy links), which helped for a while. Now though it seems that those sites really are the kiss of death, because of the duplicate content. I've deleted my articles where I can, but some are still out there, some with links back to my site, some not.

I would like to recycle some of the content on my own site as it's still good and relevant but am worried if the same information is still out there it will do me more harm than good. Should I just accept that what I wrote could now be toxic as far as Google is concerned and forget about it?

How seriously should I try and delete those articles of mine still on the web, particularly those with links back to my site? Some of these places ask for money for deletions, while others seem to have no contact details at all. It does seem to be affecting my rankings.

 

[HazelC]

I would agree with @msharron - better to rewrite them

 

[Mayur Mistry]

Agreed with Hazel and Msharron. Rewrite the content.

You would also benefit from guest blogging on a number of well known blogs that specialise in your area. This will help you boost your SEO rankings. The best thing to do is to develop a professional relationship with the blogger first so that you are able to pitch your article idea to them.

 

[OldWelshGuy]

rewrite the articles, disavow the links you consider to be the 'kiss of death', and move on.

 

[money road]

why do you worry about that? Did you get any alert from Google webmaster tools?
During years these backlinks lose value as well, so build some new fresh.
Duplicate content?- can check using http://www.copyscape.com/ or other tools, depends what content on your website may harm SEO profile. If you know rewrite it.

 

[OldWelshGuy]

You don't get a WMT message all the time unless there is a penalty. Normal algorithmic filters are not a penalty just a devaluing, so rarely will you get a WMT wessage.

 

[StevePoster]

Rewriting them with new trends in the field that will make your content fresh and interesting to the targeted audience. Rewriting an article is easy but making it unique and engaging will require analysis from your targeted users.

 

[Ideaswise]

Thanks for all the responses....I will rewrite.