Diversifying Your Link Portfolio

For awhile, it seemed that blogging was the bulletproof way to build links. Now, with new Hummingbird and Panda algorithm updates, some experts are decrying the use of blogs, particularly guest blogs. However, there is still a great deal of benefit to be gotten from blogging and guest blogging if it is handled correctly. In addition, it is important as always to diversify your link portfolio just as you would your financial portfolio. Never put “all your eggs in one basket,” no matter what the basket happens to be!

Is Google Crazy?

There have been a lot of recent complaints about Google’s seemingly arbitrary penalization of certain websites. In some cases, it was not obvious what crimes these sites had committed, leading some cynics to deride Google as “crazy.”

Is Google crazy? The proper answer is, “It does not matter.” Google is not just playing on the ball field; for all intents and purposes, Google owns the ball field. This means that webmasters and SEO people must learn to live with whatever rules Google puts out.

Furthermore, Google usually has a method to its madness, even if the method is not immediately apparent. One thing to remember is that even if you derive your links from a variety of sources, Google may see them as similar. You could have links from 15 blogs, but if you get all your links from blogs, Google may see your linking strategy as over-optimized.

Diversify Your Sources

Instead of getting links only from blogs, try some other opportunities such as:

  • Resource pages
  • Press Releases
  • Customer Discussion Forums
  • Professional organizations
  • Submissions from Participants

Most importantly, think about the quality of the links you are getting. A good test is to ask yourself, “If Google did not exist, would I link to this site?” This allows you to think about the true purpose of the link. If it is valid, Google will almost certainly pass muster on it.

Investing a little time in diversifying your link sources can pay off in a big way. Ideally, you should be setting up a link-building protocol that will serve you well no matter what types of links you are looking for. Keep it general and useful and you will find yourself returning to your “rule book” for link building over and over. Building powerful links is a matter of patience, time and hard work; there are no easy shortcuts.