A few questions about unnatural links

[Andy.Drinkwater]

Hi David,

If Google are mentioning links, then I would do something about them all. There is obviously a reason why they don't like them, and although you consider the Blogroll link to be natural, this is amongst the sorts of links that Matt Cutts has said they don't want to see. They don't know you didn't ask for it.

If you have no joy with requests to have them removed, just disavow and then advise Google again.

If you are worried about the other sites, change the links so they are not keywords (just something like visit me at <url>. You could even go for a mention and remove any direct links altogether? Perhaps see if the links can be no-followed as well, but as these are not your sites, you will need to make the request.</url>

-Andy

[JaneCopland]

Hey David,

That is really infuriating - they pick off natural and scraped links way too often.

http://www.pyjamapeople.com/ certainly looks like it contains some questionable links, so whilst you had nothing to do with the placement, they're going to get snide about it. Agree with Andy that you'd be best asking for removal but if you have no luck, include it in a disavowal and explain the situation.

It's really annoying that they cite blogroll links as unnatural when linking to sites you like has been common practice in blogging since blogging began. Unfortunately, if they're calling it out, you'll need to do something about it. It could be that the site has been selling links to others and you've been caught up in the mix despite not actively seeking the link.

I'm a fan of removing links rather than just relying on disavowal, but of course you can't be sure that the webmasters will cooperate. If a link consistently brings visitors, I'd try to nofollow instead. Again, I totally sympathise here because examples 1 and 3 seem ridiculously totalitarian and pedantic (what's wrong with Google just nullifying any authority they passed?) but there's not too much we can do once they cite specific examples, even if they're wrong.

[Eavesy]

Hi Jane, thanks for the response, what do you think I should do about the 2 articles I mentioned at the bottom of my question? Should I leave them as they are? Try to get the anchor text changed or get them nofollowed or removed?

[JaneCopland]

Hi David,

Sorry I missed out those ones! I'd say you'd want to remove the "search engine optimisation" anchor text for sure if you're under penalty / suspicion in general. The recent furore about guest blogging has been quite focused on footer author bio links too unfortunately. I can't say for sure whether all or many footer bios are going to get nuked or considered very suspicious, but I would say that I'd be wary of the practice if you're already penalised. It seems ridiculous, but sadly you aren't the only person who's wrestling with nofollowing or removing what were otherwise considered to be good links.

Perhaps start with changing these to purely brand links, either the company name or your name. If you're still having trouble after getting rid of the links Google has cited, move on to removing or nofollowing these types of links. I agree that it's painful to consider removing links without being sure if they're hurting.

[Eavesy]

Both the answers I have are great and I appreciate them, but I am looking to get as many opinions as possible on the questions I have asked. Please feel free to chime in and give me your two cents

[EGOL]

I think that you have received generous opinions from Jane and Andy.

I am looking to get as many opinions as possible on the questions I have asked.

So, when you get 50 opinions how are you going to decide what to do?

If I was in your situation, I would go straight to a person who has done a lot of successful reconsideration requests for Penguin, hire them to look at your links and give you copies of their communications with Google.  I think that will be more efficient than listening to fifty people kibitzin' and then shooting into the dark.

[Eavesy]

Hi Egol, I would like to hire someone who knows what they are doing, but people like Marie Haynes are too busy and I don't think I could afford her anyway.

I agree that Jane and Andy were quite generous in their responses, I got far less generous replies from the people at Google webmaster forums - they did not believe me when I said I had nothing to do with those two links, but I can assure you that I am telling the truth. They basically said that all of the links that I mentioned were pure spam and had to go.

Do you know anyone who you could recommend to help me out who is very affordable?

Once I get a few more opinions I will come up with an action plan that will hopefully get this nightmare of a Google penalty lifted.

I know you are an old school SEO who has been at it for years and I appreciate your response, thanks.

[EGOL]

they did not believe me when I said I had nothing to do with those two links, but I can assure you that I am telling the truth.

I believe you.  I have sites that have never received linkbuilding work and they have links from all kinds of spammy mash-up sites, computer-built directories, etc.  Awful.

Google is incompetent and thinks that they ain't.

[Eavesy]

I received a message from a Moz user called Faktorbiz before who claims to have taken care of over 40 penalties, I have checked out his prices and I might be able to afford him. I am a little concerned that he is from a non-English speaking country though, can anybody vouch for this guy?

[EGOL]

I don't know this person... He has a blog here that you can read with google translate... http://faktor.biz/ban-lub-filtr-od-google/

I have gotten great work from people who live in non-English speaking countries.  Fantastic work... and gotten really bad work from people who live in New Jersey.  Stay away!   lol

[Eavesy]

I didn't do too much research, I just looked at the moz profile and the elance.com page.

I take it you are from New Jersey. I love Kevin Smith man, he is one of my favourite film directors.

[JaneCopland]

Hi again David,

I haven't heard of this particular company - could be good if the 40 penalties stat is true, but get your research in and you should be fine.

Also check out the Recommended Providers list - there could be some good options on there too.