Botw

[Andy Miller]

Is it a good idea to get a site added to BOTW ?

http://www.webpronews.com/the-blurry-lines-of-googles-paid-links-policy-2012-05

 

[FIZIX Agency]

hmm...

Well technically speaking I would say to use caution because while it's not being penalised (to my knowledge) atm, it doesn't mean it won't get penalised in the future and as your article rightly points out, Google take a dim view on purchasing backlinks so the situation could change.

 

[eventdomain]

Google take a dim view on purchasing backlinks

They just don't want anyone to manipulate rankings in a 'heavy way' via paid links - there's a difference.

If any sites are doing this, I'd imagine their doing it in a huge way that forces client sites to massively jump up the rankings very quickly, - but Google sell links anyway, so its a bit naughty to penalise others for doing the same isnt it.

After all, its such large sites who actively feed Google its search results via content. So penalising just shoves that content lower, making it tougher for users to find it, kind of makes a mockery of what Google strategy is trying to do?? eg: place great websites in order of importance, and INCLUDE that content for the good of the searcher.

 

[FIZIX Agency]

They just don't want anyone to manipulate rankings in a 'heavy way' via paid links - there's a difference.

If any sites are doing this, I'd imagine their doing it in a huge way that forces client sites to massively jump up the rankings very quickly, - but Google sell links anyway, so its a bit naughty to penalise others for doing the same isnt it.

After all, its such large sites who actively feed Google its search results via content. So penalising just shoves that content lower, making it tougher for users to find it, kind of makes a mockery of what Google strategy is trying to do?? eg: place great websites in order of importance, and INCLUDE that content for the good of the searcher.

I agree, I was just pointing out that Google do take a dim view of purchasing back links so if you do purchase links from a source that is OK now, at some point in the future that could change and you could get stung so to use caution.

 

[eventdomain]

so if you do purchase links from a source that is OK now, at some point in the future that could change and you could get stung so to use caution.

Roughly translated to:

Damned if you do and damned if you don't

Either way, no links and you cant be found/reduces that chance significantly. To stand out via SERPS alone (nowadays) requires thousands of pages of content via subject area, location,, images, video of a great standard so enough visitors find you SO it converts.

Trouble is all websites will lose 80% of what traffic Google send their way, and the other 20% isnt enough in profit terms for far too many businesses. A lot of websites got hit, lost their page SERP listings by a good 60%, which signals an even tougher time ahead.

I've seen websites with 200'000 listings, penalised down to 45'000 listings. The only way to go now is to build resource sites, make it free content, which will be all DIY inputted/maintained combined with copywrited sales text -- its the best way forward for free anything...

Unfortunately this content will be too specialised to hope other sites will place it, thus paid link space fees should rise, seeing a return for paid ad space, and the decline of agencies - as content goes the DIY route - we are already looking at further ways to go the DIY route, and have done for years and proud of it. DIY includes: advertising, on-site SEO, web design and on-site promotion - ALL for free... traffic has increased by 22'000 per year, Clients are up, profits up and saved us a fortune to boot.

 

[FIZIX Agency]

Well, part of the problem is SEO firms who try to manipulate rankings through allowed means. Which of course will happen, people want a competitive edge.

Although google wants high quality relevant content, good structure, strong semantics and then back that up by strategic marketing; thats relevant and avoiding non organic approaches.

This approach works well and doesn't tend to get you stung. But you won't get instant gratification for your efforts.

Personally I tend to keep googles ethos and goal at the back of my mind, if you don't try to do anything that goes against that grain and take actions that are compatible with that ethos you'll be safe and won't be damned.

But that takes time and a deal of effort.

 

[webgeek]

The consensus amongst the 'experts' is that BOTW, Business.com and Yahoo directory are safe (good opportunities) because they are carefully curated.

 

[eventdomain]

Although google wants high quality relevant content, good structure, strong semantics and then back that up by strategic marketing; thats relevant and avoiding non organic approaches.

Can't avoid advertising - anyway, Google's main product is its search listings, it what makes the content. Take that away and Google search will be a website of PPC ads..... NOT what the searcher wants on its own.

 

[JonathanSEO]

Best of the web is a human edited directory. Same as Dmoz & Yahoo. No chance a link from there is hurting you. And it never will do.

It's not the cheapest directory that's for sure but still one that's worth having.

 

[shpangle]

BOTW is a human edited directory where you pay for a review rather than a listing so that does not go against Google's guidelines.

It is worth following their Facebook page and waiting for a discounted listing that they often announce rather than the full fee.

 

[eventdomain]

£99.95 for untargeted advertising - oh dear. Companies pay it because its a way of spending an exact amount eg: £100 and getting a link - but this doesn't mean its a good way to spend the money though.