Long ago, website owners could use manipulative links and articles to drive traffic to their pages. This practice refers to the use of guest posts and links that were posted for SEO purposes only and not for the benefit of the human audience. Google issued a warning about these practices back in May.
Google Wants Information Over Link Building
Google is not inherently against article distribution. However, the search engine has learned to identify content that is distributed to gain links only. Content that provides information and value is still good and can help your optimization.
For example, if you guest post an article discussing your cause or company in an informative way, then the content won’t be penalized. Publishing quality content that educates users is a great way to become an authority and build your ranking with Google.
How Does Google Know If a Post Is Manipulative?
Google looks for several red flags that indicate low quality or manipulative content. Things you should not do include:
- Stuffing articles only with keyword-rich links to your website instead of also focusing on content
- Publishing an excessively large quantity of articles
- Publishing content that does not represent your brand
- Using duplicate content
The best way to protect your page ranking is to avoid these behaviors and consult a web professional. OMA Comp is available to answer questions. We can also help you build a solid SEO strategy that is supported by search engine’s best practices.
