Search Engine Marketing Blog: piloSEO

Snitches get stitches, except for in the SEO world. It seems that outing websites for selling links is becoming more and more acceptable. If you spend as much time as I do reading SEO blogs and forums you have probably noticed an increase in the number of sites being called out for selling links or buying links. Unlike previous outings there seems to be very little outrage. In the past when a big name outed a link scheme or questionable SEO practices it lead to some heated discussions across multiple blogs. One of the biggest dust ups was the blow back directed at Rand Fishkin after he posted about a number of obvious paid links that he found. To be honest none of this stuff has affected me or my clients personally but I question the motivation of some outings.

Most Snitching is not altruistic

Let’s face it, most of the outings that have occurred recently are not altruistic in nature. Sites were not outed in order to rid the search engines of spam. I would venture to bet that most were done because a site benefiting from the paid link was a competitor of the SEO who is leveling the accusation. Even if they are engaging in the same practice themselves. It’s kind of funny when an SEO who buys paid links outs a site for selling links. It’s also disingenuous and short sighted since they open themselves up for the same whacking when their network is discovered.

I Don’t Have a problem with reporting SPAM

If you see obvious SPAM, it should be reported. I have not problem with that. The problem I have is when leading SEO’s publicly call out sites for selling links especially sites that may not know that it can harm them. Sure, you can say that the webmaster or site owner should know how any advertising will affect their site but many publishers spend their time building their content not following the trends in the SEO world. To many of these people they are simply selling advertising and unaware of the influence it has over search engine rankings. The end result is they are punished for doing something they were unaware violated any guidelines.

At least give them a chance

I am not sure what the solution is but I would be more inclined to let the site selling links know that they are violating Google’s guidelines and give them a chance to fix the issue. If they refuse I have no problem with a SPAM report or calling them out publicly. At least they are armed with the knowledge that selling links can hurt them and chose to proceed anyway. At least give them a chance to fix their mistake before they are whacked for something they had no idea was wrong.

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