Seo Booster Pro WP Plugin

[tolik1]

Hi guys,

We used this plugin with good results in the past - http://cleverplugins.com/shop/seo-booster-pro/.

Basically, the plugin checks the incoming traffic and when it sees traffic from Google evaluates the SERP where it's coming from. If the keyword was placed on the second page, it automatically ads a link in the sidebar pointing to the article page. The anchor of the link is the actual keyword.

This way, the link gets a bit of extra juice and most of the times it gets bumped to the first page.

We would like to use something similar to our ecom shops. We need to custom program it as it does not exist as a pre-made plugin.

We have a concern though - one of the points of the last Google updates addressing link juice and authority manipulation.

Please let me know if you use any related SEO technique (or even this plugin) and what are your thoughts on implementing a such tools on an ecomm site.

Thanks in advance

[DanielFreedman]

I think it's very risky.

This is precisely the sort of thing Google is targeting -- and for good reason. It's inherently manipulative.

This fits under the general heading of "magic software": a nifty tool that does the work for you -- all for $39.95!

But, wait...there's more:

MAKE MONEY WHILE YOU SLEEP!

SPIN STRAW INTO GOLD!

Okay, I exaggerate for dramatic effect. But you get the idea.

If this actually works, it won't for long.

[evolvingSEO]

Solid answer Daniel. I'd be VERY wary of any plugins manipulating links/tags - that sort of thing.

Also, slightly related, this is a list of wordpress plugins that allegedly were injecting spam links into people sites causing some problems.  Just another reason to be cautious with your plugin choices.

I always keep my wordpress setups as minimal as possible - only use the essentials to have a safe, secure, fast, crawl-friendly and content rich site.

-Dan

[tolik1]

Hi Daniel,

Thanks for taking the time to answer. This feature offered by this plugin - is not that bad. Just think about it - people are doing the same by adding their keywords to the category names. It's the same thing as using this plugin. It's still link manipulation within the site.

The simple strategy behind this plugin works. I used to do this manually using Google Webmaster Tools.

Thanks anyway

[tolik1]

Hi Dan,

Thanks for the time. I appreciate it.
We intend to use this strategy on an ecomm store. While I understand the security issues you present, this is not the case as we want to implement this on a shopping cart and all the programming will be done in house.

My question was more related to your thoughts abount implementing this (yes/no, why). We'd love some solid arguments from SEO Experts - to help us decide to use this strategy or not.

[evolvingSEO]

Hi... One thing I'm not entirely sure of is what this plugin does exactly? I've read your description and their website.

Basically, the plugin checks the incoming traffic and when it sees traffic from Google evaluates the SERP where it's coming from.

It tracks the keyword used, your position, and landing page correct?

If the keyword was placed on the second page,

This is where I'm lost. If they keyword is on the second page of... ?

it automatically ads a link in the sidebar pointing to the article page.

It adds a link permanently to the sidebar of the entire website? It adds it only when that keyword is searched? The link points to the article that matches that keyword?

When it adds links, does it take others away, or is it constantly just adding new ones? These links keep changing as more keyword data is collected?

• • -

Definitely if you could just clear that up I think I'll fully understand what the plugin is doing and try to help further. What I'm wondering is how this affects user experience.

-Dan

[DanielFreedman]

I agree it's unclear what the plug in does.

Nor is the developer's name or physical address easily available.

I never buy stuff from people who can't be googled.

A wise investor once told me: "I always look at the people before I look at the plan."

Indulge me for a moment on a real world analogy.

I suppose it's possible the man in the mask standing on the street corner peddling snake oil in a bottle with no label is selling a legitimate product.

But I don't think it's very likely.

I'd keep walking.

[evolvingSEO]

Just to clarify (for the person asking) - he is seeking a custom in house development solution to add the functionality this plugin provides. So while I agree you shouldn't purchase a plugin from a lesser-known source, I'm just trying to understand what exactly it does, to then see if even any custom build of its function would be worthwhile.

[DanielFreedman]

Umm...if this is such a great solution (whatever it is)...

...why isn't the original developer licensing it to a handful of Fortune 500 Companies at $39,000 a license, instead of flogging it on the Web for $39.95?

It seems to me unlikely  that replicating software from a dubious source is a good idea.

[tolik1]

Hi guys,

Here's how this plugin works:

- Google traffic gets to the website
     - The plugin checks on what page the keyword that generated the click ranked in the Google SERP.
     - If the clicked keyword was on the second page of Google - it places a link in the sidebar (it will be visible on the entire website) with the keyword as anchor (pointing to the page that ranked in Google).
     - This automatically generates backlinks to the page in question and most of the time, this small push helps the keyword get on the first page.

@Daniel - "why isn't the original developer licensing it to a handful of Fortune 500" - not sure about why, but I know for fact that a lot of marketers use a lot of extremely effective solutions without licensing them to Fortune 500 cie's.

@Dan - You are right - we'll program this in house. What we actual expect from it is to get that little push that moves the keyword on the first page. The WP plugin has an option available that allow setting how many links should be added in the side-bar as well as when the links will be removed. We'll probably add 5-6 links and also focus our backlinking on the same pages. We'll replace the links in the side bar as soon as the keyword is able to rank by it-self without the need of an artificial push.

I hope it is more clear

[evolvingSEO]

Thanks for further clarification! I don't think I see too much trouble arising from an over optimization point of view (if there's limits and thresholds you can set on number of links etc).

But I think my personal style would be to do this via usual optimization efforts - analytics, webmaster tools data and the like. And this is just a matter of how you want to prioritize your resources. I'd personally spend more time with higher value things like content, social (depending on market), building a brand, etc.

And my only other concern is with UX. Depending on how often the links change, or if the text generated is intuitive etc I would also prioritize UX, since that is what Google is rewarding more and more nowadays.

Hope those additional thoughts just help add some more input!