Tag Archives: google
Paid Links, Should You?
Paid links are a major topic of discussion after Google penalized many sites for taking part in paid links. Sites that would buy and sell links had their PR and listings reduced. This is a very loaded topic with fierce debate on both sides. Some debate the ethics of it, but I’m here to point out its not an ethical issue and help you make a choice.
Are Paid Links Black Hat
The only reason paid links is now considered Black Hat SEO is because Google changed the rules. Before the middle to end of 2007, selling links was not black hat. The main point is that Google dominates the search market and we must care about being indexed by Google. Google has changed the rules many times over there years. They changed the weight of meta tags, we adjusted. Then they changed link exchanges, so we adjusted. This is just another change and the SEO field will adjust.
Its All About Risk
It all comes down to a question of risk. Link buying and selling has not stopped, but just gone underground. People aren’t openly talking about it, but they still do it. Those who are conservative in their SEO will want to avoid paid links. If a competitor researches your links, and reports you, you make get penalized by Google. There are many on the net though who are buying link, getting away with it, and making a killing off it. Its just a choice about risk.
There is no need to get wrapped up in the debate of the ethics, or if Google is right or wrong. Simply, paid links get results, and Google does not like that. So they made it against the rules. Its their site, end of story. You just have to ask yourself if your willing to gamble your sites rankings to get ahead.
It the long run, SEO is all about results, and keeping up with Google. Google is constantly changing, and when it does, you need to keep up to stay ahead. So, it time to adjust. Change your strategies. Risk when you can risk, but protect your legit and important sites by not buying links. For some sites, the risk is too high.
Paid links get results, but come with a series of possible side effects if you get caught. This is always a possible path. The important thing is having the knowledge and making an informed decision. Understand people are getting reported and penalties everyday.
Should a Site Buy Links
The answer isn’t easy. The rules can be bent, and if you do, you may receive great results. If you get caught, you must understand the consequences and face them. You can make cash either way. It all depends on your strategy. It’s possible to make great money online without having to buy paid links.
At the end of the day, producing quality content that will generate natural links is the best way to build links. Don’t make your ranking 100% manipulated, but provide something for those who find you in Google. And as always, do the standard methods of link building: comments, articles, social sites. Stop taking short cuts and try to produce real high PR one way links because your site is just that great. That type of content will guarantee success. Those with great sites don’t have to be concerned about paid links.
Does Page Load Time Matter for SEO?
Page load time is usually defined as the time it takes for a webpage to fully load in a browser showing all elements of a page. Does page load time matter for SEO? Here’s a question that has come up on my radar a few times over the last few months. In fact, Matt Cutts of Google recently spoke about it in one of his many blog videos (link below). So, with so many people wondering does the speed to load a page affect SEO, what is the answer? In short, the answer is yes, page load time does matter.
How Important is Page Load Time?
Okay, Matt Cutts affirmed that page load time is a factor in ranking a site, but how important is it when it comes to ranking in the SERPs? It’s apparent that while page load speed is collected and measured as part of Page Rank, (along with over 200 other variables). It is reasonable to suggest that this variable is a low priority or low/moderate variable – unless the speed is so slow that it affects the ability for Google to visit and collect data from your site. I personally visited plenty of web pages in many categories and went through them all keeping track of page load time. Many links on the first page were slower than pages on the second, third, fourth and fifth page of listings. In addition, I tried to take a pulse of what other SEO professionals and web developers were saying about this as well.
From watching the Matt Cutts video (link located below) and many other videos along with information regarding SEO released by Google and other search engines, the key point they try to drive into web developers and SEO/SEM professionals heads is that a quality built site that offers visitors the best web experience should be the goal when building a site. So, if your site is filled with unnecessary code, filled up with distracting media and difficult to navigate, not only will the user experience lack, but this will also be reflected in reduced rankings.
Watch the video here:
Does Page Load Time Matter for SEO?
Page load time is usually defined as the time it takes for a webpage to fully load in a browser showing all elements of a page. Does page load time matter for SEO? Here’s a question that has come up on my radar a few times over the last few months. In fact, Matt Cutts of Google recently spoke about it in one of his many blog videos (link below). So, with so many people wondering does the speed to load a page affect SEO, what is the answer? In short, the answer is yes, page load time does matter.
How Important is Page Load Time?
Okay, Matt Cutts affirmed that page load time is a factor in ranking a site, but how important is it when it comes to ranking in the SERPs? It’s apparent that while page load speed is collected and measured as part of Page Rank, (along with over 200 other variables). It is reasonable to suggest that this variable is a low priority or low/moderate variable – unless the speed is so slow that it affects the ability for Google to visit and collect data from your site. I personally visited plenty of web pages in many categories and went through them all keeping track of page load time. Many links on the first page were slower than pages on the second, third, fourth and fifth page of listings. In addition, I tried to take a pulse of what other SEO professionals and web developers were saying about this as well.
From watching the Matt Cutts video (link located below) and many other videos along with information regarding SEO released by Google and other search engines, the key point they try to drive into web developers and SEO/SEM professionals heads is that a quality built site that offers visitors the best web experience should be the goal when building a site. So, if your site is filled with unnecessary code, filled up with distracting media and difficult to navigate, not only will the user experience lack, but this will also be reflected in reduced rankings.
Watch the video here: