In the recent announcement by Google, they stated, “In our continued efforts to improve the quality of the search results, we’re launching a new link spam-fighting change today — which we call the “link spam update.” This algorithm update, which will roll out across the next two weeks, is even more effective at identifying and nullifying link spam more broadly, across multiple languages. Sites taking part in link spam will see changes in Search as those links are re-assessed by our algorithms.”
This step by google aims at confronting spamming of links even better. No wonder, there would be many implications attached to it. Let’s help you understand them more.
In the statement made by Google, they have laid a thrust on “nullifying” link spam. What may sound like being penalised for link spam, is not really the case. Rather, as per this update, it will not be accounted for ranking purposes.
Google believes that links are one of the many ways that help them understand what/which type of content will be helpful for Google searches and are deserving enough to be received by sites.
In this effort to roll out this new link spam update, Google will be ignoring the link spam that does not meet the guidelines.
It is not a penalty but could become one as links help websites to rank better on Google. When link spam is nullified for the links that have been used to enhance the ranking, there will be a significant drop in the same.
Google has detailed the information in a blog, and how to not qualify for nullified link spam, aka, the best practices to follow that will save your rankings to drop because of this new update.
If you are keen to read through in detail, feel free to have a look at A reminder on qualifying links and our link spam update.
If you would like to know it briefly, continue reading till the end.
Best Practices as per Google in line with the recent update
- If there is monetary/any kind of compensation involved, website owners must add relevant tags to corresponding links. For example, sponsored and guest posts will be different from those with affiliate links
- To avoid spam, it is important for website owners to quality links, like, NoFollow, Follow links.
As per Google’s recommendation,
As per the content, links should be tagged differently. For instance;
- Websites participating in affiliate marketing, and sharing affiliate links to quality those as rel=”sponsored”
- Advertisements or those those links that have monetary exchange must be marked as sponsored, like rel=”sponsored”
- Guest posts are required to be tagged as rel=”nofollow”.
The reason why it is important to know is obvious- to keep the websites’ performance maintained, and elevate using the best practices.
Google has always been a staunch supporter of quality content, transparency and improving user experience, hence they would lay more emphasis on those sites that follow along the same lines and not share unqualified, manipulating links.
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Source: Google, Search Engine Journal
