The Truth About Backlinks

If the title sounds sensational, it's because I intended it to.

The way Google sees and values backlinks has changed dramatically over the past year, and it will continue to change as Google continues to adapt and look for more evolved ways both to rank, and to NOT rank, certain sites over others.

Speaker: Scott Hendisonhttp://photos1.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/5/b/d/8/event_103343512.jpeg

At this event I will explain this shift, and detail how we are rolling with these punches to keep client sites and our own sites ranking well and staying safe.

Pushing the Envelope

If you're in a competitive space and ranking well, then you're likely either a good brand that attracts a lot of press/links or you're engaging in some sort of "tactics " that could make you stand out in a way that you don't want to.

Let's face it; if you're "safe" and you never skirt the boundaries of what Google says is "acceptable", then you never learn anything new. You not only have to learn what to do, but you have to learn what not to do also, which I think is even more important.

I'll share my own experiences and details, both the good and the bad, including things we've done for our own properties that we would never dream of doing for clients.

Short Term Gain?

We've heard for YEARS that this or that particular tactic is dead or dying, yet month after month there are sites that continue to fly under the radar, while ranking above you, that "shouldn't be there" - yet there they are.

Much to the dismay of Google, and to the self proclaimed industry police, a lot of "bad stuff" still works and that's what most of them are publicly squawking about.

We all know that any tactic has a limited shelf life, the only question is "how long"? Sadly, all I can do is guess, but I'll share my opinions and tell you exactly where we're still ptting my efforts.

Quality Links vs. Low quality

What are "good links" and what are not? More importantly, what links help you rank and what links don't?

We can all point to examples of competitors having ranking success with what appear to be low quality links, and using what some would describe as "black hat".

I'll discuss some low hanging fruit for obtaining high quality links, and cover some of those more "unsavory" methods too, so you can see for yourself.

Indexing

Indexing has become our most important weapon. For example, yesterday (Feb 8th) we rolled out a brand new domain, and this morning there were 162 indexed pages. Right now, as of 10:30 am there are 199. I'd say that's pretty damn good! How did I do it?

Sorry to disappoint you - nothing black hat at all, just being efficient with indexing, and at this March advanced session I'll explain how we did it AND I'll share the software.

Attendees will receive a free copy of the software that we used to get this site indexed.

(update - Feb 26th, 580 indexed pages)

(update March 21 - 1300+, and I'll show the domain at the session)

Majestic SEO

Majestic SEO is our backlink analysis tool of choice, and I'll explain how and why we use it to ensure better indexing of our backlinks. I'll show how the process is important for your sites, your clients, and how to deeply dig into your (or competitors) backlinks.

I'll be using screenshots, because as neat as it might be to have a "live demo", Murphys Law has proven time and time again that it's a bad idea when presentations rely on internet access.

(Note that Majestic is only one of several great backlink research tools, and that's what we use most, but the concepts I show should make sense no matter what link tools you use, from Open Site Explorer to Link Research Tools.)

Specific Link Sources

I'll be covering a few specific backlinking services and blog networks too, providing feedback on the positive and the negative aspects of each one.

Schedule:

I like to know who I'm speaking to, so we'll go around the room for everyone to give a quick introduction, and the presentation should get underway by 5:45.

This presentation is long, at least an hour and 15 minutes, and we'll take a short break mid-way through. I anticipate that there will still be plenty of time for Q&A, and I am committed to staying well past the 7:30 end time if necessary, to ensure that all of the questions get answered.

Food & Drinks Provided!

Courtesy of our sponsor, (me) at this meeting there will be free food AND drinks, with a deli meat/cheese sandwich platter and drink tickets provided.

The drink tickets will be good for beer, wine, well drinks, juice or soda, so I hope you'll come and have a good time!