What happens when non-relevant topic is getting more visitors?

[vtmoz]

Hi all,

So we have a sub-domain which has user generated content like forums. Mostly the content is all about our product. Few times some spammy threads get posted and we delete them regularly. I have noticed that a non-relevant thread has been posted which about a movie. But this page got hundreds of clicks. I just wonder will this hurts being off topic and movie torrent thread or helps being receiving hundreds of visitors?

Thanks

[LureCreative]

I would say that although it is not 100% relevant, if it is user-generated content and is a genuine thread or conversation that is driving up traffic, keep it. As long is it doesn't include a bunch of spammy links it should be ok and only help your website.

[vtmoz]

Hi Lure,

I have deleted it as the thread is about recent Hollywood movie torrent and sound spammy with downloadable links with movie name twisted and written for multiple times. So, I deleted it. Thanks for the clarification. To understand better and learn from the scenario, I really wonder how come our discussions page got top ranked where there are number of websites which employ movie related and torrent stuff where our site is no where related to the industry. What is the takeaway from this scenario? Just a spammy thread from non relevant site dominated all other related websites with reputation? Any ideas?

Thanks

[LureCreative]

Good questions. I would assume it could be due to alot of uniquely generated content in a short amount of time that Google could tell was real and that page probably had a high CTR and Time on Page metrics, etc. Another theory could be that the discussion got linked to or shared somewhere that increased the discussion's thread authority in Google's eyes. It likely would have not ranked high long-term, and Google could have almost treated it like a timely, relevant news story.