Learn all about Google’s ‘Link spam update’ in 2021

by | Aug 5, 2021

Hello webmasters, Google is back with a new update called the Link spam update. Here is all you need to know about this update and some specific guidelines to manage spam links.

What is Google’s latest algorithm update?

Google has launched this new algorithm update to broadly improve the quality of the search results. This latest update, which is rolling out over the next few weeks, is focused on identifying and nullifying manipulative links on websites that allow sponsored, affiliate and guest posts.

Link building is a fundamental process in SEO and website owners commonly use outbound links within the content to get better visibility in Google search engine result pages (SERPs). However, sometimes website owners practice some of the wrong SEO techniques, like the use of spammy backlinks, to boost their website’s organic traffic.

What is Google’s Link spam update about?

Google Link spam update works at nullifying these unreliable spammy links that helped in high rankings of your page. This does not necessarily mean that Google will penalize the websites, instead, it will ignore and not evaluate these links anymore, which is obviously like a penalty to the website.

Link spam update will nulify spammy backlinks

How can Link spam Update impact rankings?

If your website does not comply with Google’s guidelines for link schemes, then you might see a sharp drop in your website’s rankings.

Some of the inappropriate link schemes that violate Google’s guidelines include:

  • Buying backlinks
  • Generate backlinks using bots or auto-services
  • Targeted guest blogging

How to deal with Google Link spam update?

In particular, Google is picking out affiliate links and links from sponsored guest content. Hence, below are a set of best practices to prevent getting hit by the latest update.

  1. Websites participating in affiliate programs should appropriately qualify these affiliate links by using the attribute rel=”sponsored” to the hyperlink tag.
  1. Websites must add tag rel=”ugc” to the links if there is a value exchange between the two domains, like the links from sponsored posts such as advertisements and paid links.
  1. Despite the links created manually or dynamically, Google recommends that links from guest posts are to be marked up with the rel=”nofollow” value.

Thus, if you are using WordPress, then you can use ‘functions.php’ to add these attributes or if you are using manual links, then you can edit the links one after the other.

WRAPPING UP

  • Link spam is a global update across multiple languages which impacts both inbound and outbound links that are not natural and manipulative.
  • Websites taking part in link spam will see a drop in their rankings as these links are re-assessed by the new Link spam algorithm update.
  • Google advises website owners to focus on improving the site content and user experience, which help in attracting new backlinks naturally over time that are in accordance with Google’s webmaster guidelines.
  • The Link spam update will encourage the appropriate process of link-building and ensure that website owners don’t trade the links.
  • Make sure you are in compliance with the new Link spam update by following the best practices and invest in appropriately tagged links.
Durga

Durga

About The Author…

Durga has a master’s degree in engineering. Technological advances in digital space interest her a lot. Digital marketing is her forte and she passionately follows latest trends in the digital marketing space. She has written many trending articles on various social media platforms. Her areas of interest include SEO Optimization, structured data, SMM, Keywords research and analysis etc. She is focused, resourceful and dedicated.

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