How to Protect Your Site from Link Spam or Negative SEO

8 comments, 05/10/2012, by , in SEO

SpamMany in the field of search engine optimization have heard of – and maybe at some point even used – black hat SEO strategies to boost their site’s ranking. While no one would do this knowing of the penalties that ultimately can be imposed upon your site by search engines, the danger of such practices can still loom for a webmaster. Competitors will sometimes employ individuals to bombard your site with spammy comments that can lead to your site being downranked by Google, Bing and others. How can you protect yourself from such an attack? We will outline the main strategies you can use to guarantee “sunny days” ahead for your site or blog.

What is Negative SEO?

Negative SEO is a generic term for any action that can lead to a downgrading of a particular site or blog by search engines. In the case of Google, these actions are outlined in the Google Webmaster Guidelines. Some of the most common negative SEO strategies include filling comment pages with spam; many webmasters have comments automatically enabled and approved, making this an even bigger problem if you are suddenly the target of malicious competitors. Another less used tactic includes hacking or compromising the site in question, gaining access and using said access to sabotage the website’s rankings from within the control panel.

How to Fight Link Spam

If you leave your pages’ settings at default, you may notice that comment boxes appear on every page – especially when using software such as WordPress. One of the best ways to protect yourself from attacks is to disable comments on pages where it is not necessary. You can also utilize social networking comment add-ons that keep the links from being directed associated with your site. Google has also released the Disavow Links feature, which allows webmasters to report select comments as spam and will absolve you of any repercussions from said content. Pingler’s Link Analyzer Tool also helps you gain more information on each questionable link you find on your website.

Am I A Victim?

Are you curious as to whether your site has been targeted or affected by black hat SEO strategies or link spam? There are quite a few different tools available on the internet, but the most effective ones come with a price. The most recommended tool out there is Ahrefs, which searches your site and determines whether there are any questionable practices going on throughout the domain. One of its biggest helpers is the Referring Pages section, which will categorize each outgoing link on your site. You can categorize this by link or by anchor text.

Build Up Your Links

By using good, solid tactics to obtain credible link building for your homepage, you significantly reduce the risk that an attack can spoil your entire website. If your homepage is infiltrated or overrun by spam comments, it can wreak havoc on the remainder of the site. The more credible links you have, the less of an effect spam comments will have on your site. Make sure that there are no comment sections on your homepage! This may prove especially difficult for bloggers, but creativity can make this work.






8 comments

  1. October 5th, 2012 10:01

    thanks for sharing this important information ,it will help me a lot in future for boosting my site’s performance.

    Reply

  2. October 8th, 2012 2:55

    I only know little about negative SEO and I do receive spam comments and your article helps me aware of this stuff and thanks a lot for this information.

    Reply

  3. Abel Frye
    October 10th, 2012 2:44

    I am trying to start a Slide Show/Wedding Photograraphy business and I am looking for a Creative Web Designer who can create a web site from scratch.I need someone that is affordable!

    Reply

  4. October 12th, 2012 2:30

    thank you for sharing this article, can really help me in managing my site to be better and avoid all kinds of spam.

    Reply

  5. October 14th, 2012 17:57

    Wow! I had no idea that people would waste their time and energy on such negative pursuits – It’s one thing to try and get ahead, its another thing to actually try to undermine other people who are trying to make something good. 🙁

    Reply

  6. Abu
    October 15th, 2012 22:24

    I have been getting a lot of irrelevant commentson my blog lately.your article has thrown some light on what I can do about it

    Reply

  7. October 24th, 2012 22:22

    WOW, I don’t know about negative SEO before that, thank you. O_O

    Reply

  8. November 13th, 2012 3:21

    What you wrote here has hit the bull’s eye and I really appreciate. I tried many times to delete the spam comment and of course, I hated it but now I just know that I have to disable the wordpress comment and integrate the social comment such as Facebook.

    Thank you so much for your nice explanation.

    Reply

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