Link building is one of the most effective and foundational aspects of Search Engine Optimization (SEO) strategies. It is a process of enhancing the quality and number of inbound links/backlinks to a site thus improving its organic search ranking.
Google is one of the most important search engines right now, with around 93% of all mobile searches conducted on Google. The search engine algorithm used by Google is very sophisticated and is always changing constantly. That is why it can be difficult to maintain a link building strategy that produces results constantly. Here is a list of seven taboos that you must never ever try if you want to maintain a strong and useful link building strategy.
1. Improper/Insufficient Monitoring of Backlink Profile:
Source: Serpstat
One of the most important mantras when it comes to link building “Always monitor your backlink profile carefully.” The internet is always in a state of flux. Links, websites, and content quality are always changing, either for better or for worse. You must always keep a very close watch on your website’s backlinks and weed out links that have gone bad.
If you cannot eliminate them, then the least you can do is disavow them. That way, Google will not punish you for violating its policies. One of the basic things every SEO expert should know is where their backlinks are and how they are performing.
2. Using Content of Improper Quality:
Source: Backlinkbao
Since the Penguin Update in 2012, Google’s search engine algorithm has become very content-oriented. Earlier, the crawlers would only pay attention to aspects like keyword frequency, backlink frequency, etc. However, now it does much more than just count the frequencies of keywords and backlinks.
Proper, well-curated, and engaging content is a must if you want your link building campaign to work. Guest posts, infographics, engaging articles, and images are all elements that you must successfully incorporate into your overall link building strategy. The credibility of content is a very big deal for Google’s algorithm.
3. Using Private Blog Networks (PBN):
PBNs are strict and resounding “no!” when it comes to link building. PBNs are basically a collection of blogs and websites that publish content with the aim to boost one company’s presence online. Using PBNs is treated as a “link building scheme” and is strictly banned by Google’s policy.
If you are found to be using the services of PBNs, then you stand to be severely penalized. Adhering to Google’s policies and using white-hat techniques is the best way to improve your website’s online presence.
4. Not Incorporating Other SEO Strategies:
SEO is a dynamic and multi-prong process that must include other strategies as well. If you only invest in link building, then your SEO campaign will not produce good results. To enhance the visibility and effectiveness of your website, it is imperative that you invest and commit to a well-rounded SEO policy. It is very important to optimize your website for users and algorithms so that you can enjoy the benefits associated with a high organic ranking.
5. Inconsistent Link Building Efforts:
SEO is also a time-consuming and dynamic process that takes some time to show significant results. It won’t do if you are impatient and do not commit to a sincere link building strategy. You need to update/upgrade content continuously and monitor your backlinks all the time. After some time, your link building efforts will result in enhanced visibility and ROI.
6. Using Improper Metrics To Determine Quality:
Quality is a very subjective term. You cannot measure the quality of a website using only one metric. There are many factors and subtleties involved and you should be intimately familiar with all of them.
Some of the major metrics that you can use to determine the quality of your website are Trust Flow, Engagement, Domain Authority, and Page Authority. The sites that will carry your inbound links should have a high DA, PA and Trust Flow.
7. Using Bad Keywords:
You should research your keywords properly and only rank those that are relevant to your website and business. Keyword research is one of the most important aspects of a robust link building campaign.
You must know what keywords are used frequently in your niche/industry and then work on a strategy that makes use of them. Now that you know what not to do while link building, you can create a powerful and dynamic SEO strategy for your business.
