Manual Removal Request Versus Automated Request to Remove Bad Links

[Kingalan1]

Our site has several hundred toxic links. We would prefer that the webmaster remove them rather than submitting a disavow file to Google.

Are we better off writing web masters over and over again to get the links removed? If someone is monitoring the removal and keeps writing the web masters will this ultimately get better results than using some automated program like LinkDetox to process the requests? Or is this the type of request that will be ignored no matter what we do and how we ask?

I am willing to invest in the manual labor, but only if there is some chance of a favorable outcome.

Does anyone have experience with this? Basically how to get the highest compliance rate for link removal requests?

Thanks, Alan

[PatrickDelehanty]

Hi there

Based on some previous work I have done, webmasters are substantially more responsive to manual outreach and can definitely tell the difference.

Always include:

• Their name

• Both in the subject line and greeting

• I like "Attn: (name) / Link Removal Request"

• Their site domain name

• Links to pages with examples of your link

• Thank them for their time

• Signature with proper contact information

Always respond to emails - good, bad, or indifferent - people respond to a real human being. Thank them for removal, kindly respond to apprehension or irritability, and answer (within reason) questions they may have. Do not be hostile back. I would usually send three emails:

1. Stating my reason for reaching out and where my link is located.
2. If I didn't hear back, about four days later, I would follow up. Again letting them know where my link is located.
3. If I didn't hear back, about 3-5 days later, I would let them know that this would be my last email before disavowing their link.

Usually, I didn't make it to three. Remember to document and keep records of your outreach in case you somehow get a manual action - you'll need it.

Here is a great link removal resource:
Link Audit Guide for Effective Link Removals & Risk Mitigation (Moz)

Always consider disavow files a tool and friend - they do work. If you can't get links removed and you fear a manual action, these will be your next line of defense - especially if you are dealing with hundreds of bad links.

Take the time to manually reach out to webmasters if you can - it will pay off. I also want to suggest LinkRisk as another tool to look into for your link audits and outreach. It has been a big help for me.

Hope this helps! Good luck!

[Kingalan1]

Hi Patrick:

Thanks for your in depth response!! The expedite tools in Link Detox is described here: http://www.linkdetox.com/boost.

But if Google will now process disavow files in a few months as the MOZ blogpost your refer to states, I guess there is no point in using boast.

Our site never received a manual penalty from Googlebut did drop in ranking after the first Penguin in April 2012. Recover since then has been sporadic and uneven despite a major investment in SEO.

I have pretty much followed the procedure you describe. Only deviation is that I compiled the links from Google Webmaster Tools plus the Link Detox database. I wonder if we are missing a significant number of links by not sourcing AHREFs, MOZ. If I can identify 80-90% of the bad links I think it is sufficient. I don't expect 100% in removing them.

Thanks again for your assistance!!

Alan

[PatrickDelehanty]

Hi Alan

When I pull links, I do so from WMT, Majestic, OSE, and Ahrefs.

Reason being, you're going to see different links from different tools. No one source covers them all, so it's best to get as much data as you can from different places.

I will read into LinkDetox and tell you if anything is a red flag to me, but again, your statement from the other question thread seems like a lot money for automation and "too good to be true".

Please let me know if you have any more questions or comments - would love to help where I can and see you through! Best of luck!

[MoosaHemani]

Alan, if I would be at your place, I would have moved to a program like link detox instead of the manual labor and here are some reasons why!

1. You are emailing to the real people so no matter what trick you use, there are chances that you may fail, especially if they have decided not to remove the links.
2. The removal ratio can dramatically increase if you offer a small amount to remove a link but again disavow is a better and easy option that will help you save your time and money.
3. Manual Labor to do a work that might or might not work is a bad investment in my opinion, on the other hand manual labor will be much more expensive as compare to a tool like Link Detox.

Link Detox will find bad links, email them and give you the list of bad links that contain your website link. You can get that data and create a disavow file and submit it to Google.

All in all, I understand your point but in my opinion it is not a very good investment.

Hope this helps!

[Chris661]

I agree with Moosa here. When we went through this we used Link Detox to help identify the links we wanted to remove/disavow and RMOOV to send an automated email campaign. The response rate was less than 5%as I recall and usually took multiple emails if there was to be a response.
This is the nice thing about the tools as they track success for you. It's also a really good idea to use a "throw away"email address,as many of these may be reported by the recipients as spam and get your email account added to spam filters.

I think the personal touch thing is more for outreach. Not worth the effort here.

Best!