Think you’ve found a shortcut to the top of Google’s search results? Think again.
Some websites try to game the system with unnatural links—shady tactics designed to trick search engines into ranking them higher.
But this isn’t some harmless prank; it’s a risky move that can have serious consequences.
Look at it this way.
You’re a hard-working website owner, creating valuable content and building a loyal audience. Meanwhile, your competitor is buying links from shady websites or participating in link schemes, trying to leapfrog over you in the rankings.
It’s frustrating, right? And it’s not fair.
Worse yet, if Google catches wind of these unnatural links pointing to your site, you could face a penalty. That means your website could plummet in the rankings, losing visibility and traffic. Ouch!
So, what exactly are these unnatural links that people are risking so much for? Let’s break it down and expose the truth behind this risky SEO tactic.
What are Unnatural Links?
Unnatural links are links that are created with the intention of manipulating search engine rankings, rather than being earned organically through the quality and relevance of your content. They’re shortcuts, like trying to sneak into a concert instead of buying a ticket.
There are several ways these unnatural links can manifest, but here are a few common examples:
- Paid links: Websites might pay other sites to link back to them, in an attempt to boost their own authority and rankings.
- Link schemes: These are networks of websites that agree to link to each other, creating a web of artificial links.
- Low-quality directory submissions: Some websites submit their links to countless low-quality directories, hoping to gain a small advantage.
- Hidden links: These are links that are invisible to human visitors but can be seen by search engine crawlers. They’re often embedded in the code of a website or hidden behind images.
- Comment spam: This involves posting comments on blogs and forums with links back to your own website. It’s often done using automated software, and the comments are usually irrelevant or spammy.
- Article spinning: This involves taking an existing article and rewriting it slightly to create multiple versions of the same content. These spun articles are then distributed across the web with links back to your site.
- Link exchanges: This is where two or more websites agree to link to each other in a reciprocal manner. While not always unnatural, excessive or irrelevant link exchanges can be viewed negatively by search engines.
- Private blog networks (PBNs): These are networks of websites that are created solely for the purpose of linking to other websites. They’re often made up of low-quality or expired domains, and they’re designed to manipulate search rankings.
It’s important to note that not all of these tactics are inherently bad. For example, guest posting on reputable websites can be a legitimate way to earn links. However, when these tactics are used excessively or with the sole intention of manipulating search rankings, they become unnatural and can harm your website’s SEO.
Search engines like Google have become increasingly sophisticated at detecting these shady tactics. And if they catch your website with unnatural links, there’s a good chance you’ll face a penalty. That means your site could get bumped down in the rankings, making it harder for people to find you organically.
Natural vs. Unnatural Links Comparison Table
| Feature | Natural Links | Unnatural Links |
|---|---|---|
| Acquisition Method | Earned through high-quality content, relevance, and relationships. | Obtained through manipulative tactics, payment, or link schemes. |
| Impact on SEO | Positive impact on search rankings, traffic, and credibility. | Negative impact on rankings, potential penalties, and loss of credibility. |
| Examples | Guest posts on relevant websites, editorial mentions, social media shares. | Paid links, link farms, comment spam, low-quality directory submissions. |
| Sustainability | Sustainable and long-term benefits for website authority and SEO. | Short-term gains with high risk of penalties and long-term damage to SEO. |
| Google’s Stance | Encouraged and rewarded by search engines. | Discouraged and penalized by search engines. |
Now that you understand what unnatural links are, let’s explore why they can be so harmful to your website’s SEO.
How Unnatural Links Damage Your Website
Unnatural links aren’t just a minor infraction; they can have a significant negative impact on your website’s search engine optimization (SEO). They can undermine all the hard work you’ve put into creating quality content and building a legitimate online presence.
Here’s how unnatural links can hurt your website:
- Lower search rankings: Search engines aim to provide users with the most relevant and trustworthy results. When they detect unnatural links, they see it as an attempt to manipulate the system, and they’ll likely penalize your website by lowering its rankings.
- Reduced organic traffic: Lower rankings mean fewer people will find your website through organic search, leading to a decrease in traffic. This can hurt your brand visibility and bottom line if you rely on organic search to drive leads or sales.
- Potential for manual action: In severe cases, search engines may take manual action against your website, which can result in even harsher penalties or even removal from search results altogether. This can be devastating for any website, especially businesses that rely heavily on online visibility.
- Damaged Reputation: They essentially label your website as untrustworthy and manipulative. This negative perception can extend beyond search engines, potentially affecting your brand’s reputation with customers and partners.
- Loss of Credibility: It can erode the credibility and authority you’ve worked hard to establish. This can make it harder to earn natural links in the future, as other reputable websites might be hesitant to associate with you.
- Missed Opportunities: You might be neglecting more sustainable and effective SEO strategies, and create a website that truly resonates with your audience.
- Financial Losses: The consequences of unnatural links can extend beyond just rankings and traffic. If your website is penalized, it can lead to a significant drop in leads and sales, ultimately impacting your bottom line. In some cases, businesses have even been forced to shut down due to the severe financial losses caused by unnatural link penalties.
- Wasted Resources: Investing time and money in unnatural link schemes is a waste of valuable resources. Instead of focusing on creating high-quality content and building genuine relationships, you’re essentially throwing money down the drain on tactics that could backfire at any time.
Even if you manage to avoid immediate penalties, unnatural links can still harm your website in the long run. They can create a distorted view of your website’s authority and relevance, leading to inaccurate search rankings and an unstable foundation for your SEO efforts.
It’s like building a house on a shaky foundation – it might stand for a while, but eventually, it’s bound to crumble. The same goes for your website’s SEO. If you rely on unnatural links, you’re building on a shaky foundation that could collapse at any time.
So, why do some people take the risk? Often, it’s because they’re looking for a quick and easy way to boost their rankings. But what they don’t realize is that unnatural links are a band-aid solution—a temporary fix that can ultimately cause more harm than good. It’s like trying to lose weight by taking diet pills instead of making healthy lifestyle changes. Sure, you might see some initial results, but it’s not sustainable in the long run.
In fact, Google’s algorithms are constantly evolving to get better at detecting and penalizing unnatural links. So, even if you manage to fly under the radar for a while, it’s only a matter of time before you get caught.
How to Spot Unnatural Links – The Red Flags and Warning Signs
Now that you understand the risks, how can you tell if a link is unnatural? Here are some red flags to watch out for:
- Links from irrelevant websites: If a website that has nothing to do with your industry or niche is linking to you, that’s a pretty big red flag. For example, if you run a bakery and you’re getting links from websites about car repair, it’s likely that those links are unnatural.
- Links with keyword-rich anchor text: Anchor text is the clickable text in a hyperlink. If a link to your website uses exact-match keywords (like “best bakery in town”), it could be a sign that it’s an unnatural link.
- Links from low-quality websites: If a website looks spammy, has thin content, or is full of ads, it’s probably not a good source for links. Google takes into account the quality of the websites that link to you, so a bunch of links from low-quality sites can hurt your rankings.
- Sudden spikes in links: If you suddenly get a flood of links from new websites, it could be a sign that someone is trying to manipulate your rankings. Natural link building takes time and effort, so a sudden influx of links is often a red flag.
- Links in the footer or sidebar of a website: These are often considered less valuable than links within the main content of a page, and they can be a sign of unnatural link building.
If you see any of these red flags, it’s important to take action. The next section will cover how to clean up your website’s link profile and get rid of any unnatural links.
1. Which of the following is considered an unnatural link?
2. What is a potential consequence of having unnatural links?
3. Which of the following is a best practice for building a natural link profile?
4. What is a link scheme?
5. Which of these is an example of a hidden link?
6. How can you spot an unnatural link?
How to Clean Up Your Unnatural Links
If your website has become a magnet for unnatural links, don’t worry, it’s not the end of the world. You can take action to clean up your link profile and get back in Google’s good graces.
Step 1: Identify the Culprits
The first step is to identify the unnatural links pointing to your site. This requires a thorough backlink audit. There are several tools available to help you with this, including Ahrefs, SEMrush, and Google Search Console. These tools can help you uncover all the websites linking to yours, making it easier to spot the suspicious ones.
Look for the red flags we discussed earlier: links from irrelevant websites, links with keyword-rich anchor text, links from low-quality sites, and sudden spikes in links. These are all telltale signs of unnatural links that could be harming your website’s SEO.
Step 2: Reach Out for Removal
Once you’ve identified the unnatural links, it’s time to take action. The best course of action is to contact the webmasters of those sites directly and politely request that they remove the links. Explain that you’re trying to maintain a natural link profile and that their link is no longer relevant. You might be surprised at how many webmasters are willing to help, especially if you approach them in a professional and respectful manner.
Step 3: The Disavow Tool: A Last Resort
If your attempts to get the links removed are unsuccessful, you can use Google’s Disavow Tool. This tool tells Google to ignore specific links when evaluating your website’s rankings. However, it’s important to use this tool with caution. It’s a powerful tool that can have unintended consequences if misused, so make sure you understand how it works before using it.
Step 4: Vigilance is Key
Link building is an ongoing process, and it’s important to remain vigilant. Regularly monitor your backlink profile to catch any new unnatural links that might appear. Make sure that your link profile remains clean and healthy, by staying proactive and addressing any issues promptly, you can
How to Build a Natural Link Profile The Right Way
Forget the shady shortcuts. The only way to truly succeed in the long run is by building a natural link profile. This means earning links through hard work and quality content, not trying to trick the system.
Let’s break down the key strategies to make this happen:
1. Prioritize Exceptional Content
The absolute cornerstone of any successful link-building strategy is creating top-notch content. It’s simple: if your content is valuable, informative, and engaging, other websites will want to share it with their audience. This means going beyond basic blog posts and creating in-depth articles, comprehensive guides, original research, or even visually appealing infographics.
Remember, your goal is to become a go-to resource in your niche. When people think of your topic, your website should be the first one that comes to mind. That’s the kind of reputation that attracts natural links.
2. Spread the Word
Don’t expect people to stumble upon your content by accident. You need to actively promote it. Share your articles on social media, engage with relevant online communities, and reach out to influencers who might be interested in your content.
Consider using tools like HARO (Help a Reporter Out) to connect with journalists looking for sources. Get creative and think outside the box. The more eyes you get on your content, the more opportunities for natural links to develop.
3. Forge Genuine Connections
Networking isn’t just for job seekers—it’s crucial for link building too. Connect with other website owners and bloggers in your niche. Comment on their blogs, share their content, and offer to collaborate on projects.
Building genuine relationships takes time and effort, but it’s worth it. When you’re connected with others in your industry, they’re more likely to link to your content and share it with their audience.
4. Guest Post on Reputable Sites
Guest posting is a powerful tool for expanding your reach and earning valuable backlinks. Look for reputable websites in your niche that accept guest posts, and offer to contribute high-quality content that their audience will find valuable.
Remember, the goal isn’t just to get a link—it’s to provide real value and establish yourself as an authority in your field. When you do that, the links will follow naturally.
5. Diversify Your Link Sources
Don’t put all your eggs in one basket. Aim for a diverse range of link sources, including blogs, news sites, industry publications, and social media platforms. This will not only make your link profile look more natural but also help you reach a wider audience.
6. Track Your Progress and Adapt
Link building is an ongoing process that requires constant monitoring and adjustment. Use tools like Google Search Console and Ahrefs to track your backlinks, identify any potential issues, and adjust your strategy as needed.
Patience and persistence are key to building a natural link profile that withstands the test of time. Follow these strategies, but also focus on providing a lasting value to your audience.
Conclusion
As search engines become more sophisticated, they’re getting better at detecting and penalizing unnatural links. This means that the old tactics of buying links and participating in link schemes are becoming increasingly risky and ineffective.
The future of link building is natural. It’s about earning links through the quality and relevance of your content, building relationships with other website owners, and promoting your brand in an ethical and sustainable way.
