"Sponsored Links" Bad for SEO?

**Moelman** · 04-09-2008, 07:11 PM

The guy that is advertising on my site that I talked about in the other thread is asking me to change my sidebar block's name from "Sponsored Links" to something that doesn't imply that he paid for the link, saying it will hurt his rankings. I don't really buy this as tons of sites are using sponsors or sponsored links or something along those lines (including this one) and nobody is complaining. This guy has already been requesting things left and right of me so I already don't want to do anything else for him, but I also think he's wrong about this. What do you guys think or know about this?

**Caddyman** · 04-09-2008, 07:18 PM

I doubt it matters, he probably just being a pain in the arse....

**BamaStangGuy** · 04-09-2008, 09:26 PM

It can if Google manually finds your site and blacklists it. They did it to mine. If you hint at selling links on your site in anyway and they see it they can do whatever they please.

**bdude** · 04-10-2008, 06:38 AM

You should be fine if you are selling links to sites that are actually relevant, for example if I was to sell a link on my blogging site to "Top WordPress Themes", that would probably be ok, but if I was to sell a link to "Top 100 Recipes", Google et al would probably penalise me.

**BamaStangGuy** · 04-10-2008, 06:49 AM

Google doesn't care if they are relevant or not. Selling links requires a nofollow or they consider it buying links to pass link weight. Sure you can probably get away with it but nothing sucks more than being blacklisted in Google and all for a 10-20 a month link.

**bcmtouring** · 04-10-2008, 10:08 AM

BamaStangGuy is right.

Moelman if he is that concerned about the whole thing, then just tell him that it would be best if the link is made nofollowed.

**Moelman** · 04-10-2008, 02:08 PM

Thanks for the advice guys.

**Jirendi** · 04-10-2008, 04:44 PM

what means with nofollow?

**bcmtouring** · 04-10-2008, 05:54 PM

nofollow - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

**Harlzard** · 04-12-2008, 02:09 AM

Wow, i never knew any of this, but I don't get it though, why would Google be so annoyed with websites/forums selling links?

04-09-2008, 07:11 PM	#1
Moelman The Webmaster Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Michigan, USA Posts: 3,328	"Sponsored Links" Bad for SEO? The guy that is advertising on my site that I talked about in the other thread is asking me to change my sidebar block's name from "Sponsored Links" to something that doesn't imply that he paid for the link, saying it will hurt his rankings. I don't really buy this as tons of sites are using sponsors or sponsored links or something along those lines (including this one) and nobody is complaining. This guy has already been requesting things left and right of me so I already don't want to do anything else for him, but I also think he's wrong about this. What do you guys think or know about this? __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. - The Largest LucasArts Gaming Community on the Internet To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. - tell me your comments! To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. - Your #1 place to discuss all things World of Warcraft.

04-09-2008, 07:18 PM	#2
Caddyman Forum Addict Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Delaware Posts: 1,342	I doubt it matters, he probably just being a pain in the arse.... __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. boomshockalacka

04-09-2008, 09:26 PM	#3
BamaStangGuy Forum Enthusiast Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Alabama Posts: 2,483	It can if Google manually finds your site and blacklists it. They did it to mine. If you hint at selling links on your site in anyway and they see it they can do whatever they please. __________________ *To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.* More to be listed soon.

04-10-2008, 06:38 AM	#4
bdude Forum Addict Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Australia Posts: 1,628	You should be fine if you are selling links to sites that are actually relevant, for example if I was to sell a link on my blogging site to "Top WordPress Themes", that would probably be ok, but if I was to sell a link to "Top 100 Recipes", Google et al would probably penalise me. __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

04-10-2008, 06:49 AM	#5
BamaStangGuy Forum Enthusiast Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Alabama Posts: 2,483	Google doesn't care if they are relevant or not. Selling links requires a nofollow or they consider it buying links to pass link weight. Sure you can probably get away with it but nothing sucks more than being blacklisted in Google and all for a 10-20 a month link. __________________ *To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.* More to be listed soon.

04-10-2008, 10:08 AM	#6
bcmtouring Veteran Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: New Delhi, India Posts: 585	BamaStangGuy is right. Moelman if he is that concerned about the whole thing, then just tell him that it would be best if the link is made nofollowed. __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. \| To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. \| To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

04-10-2008, 02:08 PM	#7
Moelman The Webmaster Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Michigan, USA Posts: 3,328	Thanks for the advice guys. __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. - The Largest LucasArts Gaming Community on the Internet To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. - tell me your comments! To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. - Your #1 place to discuss all things World of Warcraft.

04-10-2008, 04:44 PM	#8
Jirendi Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 61	what means with nofollow?

04-10-2008, 05:54 PM	#9
bcmtouring Veteran Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: New Delhi, India Posts: 585	nofollow - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. \| To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. \| To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

04-12-2008, 02:09 AM	#10
Harlzard Forum Addict Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Australia Posts: 1,925	Wow, i never knew any of this, but I don't get it though, why would Google be so annoyed with websites/forums selling links?

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode