Googles stance on Back Links via a Badge/Form

[conversiontactics]

Hey guys,

Does anyone know what Google's stance is on backlinks that come via a form, WordPress theme or badge. For example if I offer website security and provide badges for websites that are malware clean (with a back link to my website) and 100 websites sign up to my website will this be deemed as bad practice in Google's eyes?

Also if I create a free WordPress theme with a backlink to myself?

The second question sounds like I'm providing content for a link which seems okay but the first one can go either way.

Thanks

[Travis_Bailey]

These would likely be deemed a link scheme unless the links are nofollow. We can bring up a number of examples where sites appear to get away with these tactics, but followed widgets and footer links are definitely high risk. If you genuinely want exposure for your site, nofollow the links and make sure they don't contain 'money terms'. (e.g. Free Malware Scan)

Both of these tactics have been done to death. A lot of sites have been penalized due to dofollow links in themes, widgets, plugins and badges. If you still want to do this, I would strongly suggest using a nofollow attribute on the link.

More on link schemes here.

[Asjad]

Hello,

This is more than tricky. I have witnessed websites that are ranking high doing the same practices (Most of Internet Marketing Companies, Web Design Companies, Themes, Plugins etc) but such link schemes have costed thousands and thousands of websites.

Here is example of one big brand victimized recently by such link schemes

• http://searchengineland.com/google-has-officially-penalized-rap-genius-for-link-schemes-180777

There are hundreds of such examples. So if you like to move this way

• Use Non Money Anchor (May be Brand Name)
• Make sure to turn link into "Nofollow"

I strongly agree with Travis! Nice advice in deed!

I hope that this will help!

[conversiontactics]

Thanks Wiqas!

[conversiontactics]

Thanks Travis!