Observation: Effects Of "Dead Links" On SERP Ranking
- SEO |
Since mid-June 2012, I have been attempting to rank a mid-competitive term (KW-X) on a new site (registered in late May). In early June (after 2 to 3 weeks of hard work), my SERP ranking for KW-X is 8. I have exclusively been using homepage blog-roll links from high PR sites (PR 2 or PR 3 with no topic relevance). I have 1 link (in the blog-roll) from each of the high PR sites.
Then, I got impatient.
Based on some analysis of other competitors for KW-X, I believe (incorrectly) that I can achieve higher ranking by squeezing more links on each high PR site. I replaced my blog-roll links with small snippets of text (about 50 words) positioned at the sidebar of the PR sites. In each snippet of the text, I added 3 links with different anchor texts pointing to different pages (internal/ landing pages etc) of my site.
After 4 days, my SERP rankings dropped, across the board by an average of 20 across all keywords. I lost 70% of my organic Google search traffic. I thought (incorrectly) that it was the Google dance (my site is relatively new) so I tried to wait it out. After another 4 days, my SERP rankings (and traffic) showed no signs of improving.
I realized that I have just screwed myself.
To try to save the situation, I diversified and changed all the anchor text on the PR sites and moved some of the links from the sidebar into the blog posts to convert them into editorial links.
It worked. But not much.
I managed to get my rankings back to 14 for KW-X. But it was hard work. I added numerous hand-written original posts to make my site become an authority site (today, it has more than 70 pages indexed). I have also doubled the number of PR sites linking to my site. However, I still fall short of my glorious high of the 8th position for KW-X.
Now, with the benefit of hindsight, I believe that my fall in ranking is a result of "dead links". Because of my incessant tinkering with my backlinks (anchor texts, a href) I created as many "dead links" as "proper links" or perhaps even much more. Because my site's backlink profile was primarily based on these high PR sites, my site's backlink profile shifted significantly each time I tinkered with my backlinks.
Is there a "ceiling" to how high KW-X can go?
I think the penalty on my site (Sandbox? Is there really such a thing?) is applied algorithmically. At this point, I am not entirely sure when the penalty will be lifted (if ever). I believe the solution is to build more links and stop creating "dead links". However, I wonder if there is a Google-imposed SERP ranking ceiling (cannot be on page 1) on KW-X for my site.
I should have... ...
Did any of you face a similar situation previously? What did you do to achieve a better outcome than me?
Then, I got impatient.
Based on some analysis of other competitors for KW-X, I believe (incorrectly) that I can achieve higher ranking by squeezing more links on each high PR site. I replaced my blog-roll links with small snippets of text (about 50 words) positioned at the sidebar of the PR sites. In each snippet of the text, I added 3 links with different anchor texts pointing to different pages (internal/ landing pages etc) of my site.
After 4 days, my SERP rankings dropped, across the board by an average of 20 across all keywords. I lost 70% of my organic Google search traffic. I thought (incorrectly) that it was the Google dance (my site is relatively new) so I tried to wait it out. After another 4 days, my SERP rankings (and traffic) showed no signs of improving.
I realized that I have just screwed myself.
To try to save the situation, I diversified and changed all the anchor text on the PR sites and moved some of the links from the sidebar into the blog posts to convert them into editorial links.
It worked. But not much.
I managed to get my rankings back to 14 for KW-X. But it was hard work. I added numerous hand-written original posts to make my site become an authority site (today, it has more than 70 pages indexed). I have also doubled the number of PR sites linking to my site. However, I still fall short of my glorious high of the 8th position for KW-X.
Now, with the benefit of hindsight, I believe that my fall in ranking is a result of "dead links". Because of my incessant tinkering with my backlinks (anchor texts, a href) I created as many "dead links" as "proper links" or perhaps even much more. Because my site's backlink profile was primarily based on these high PR sites, my site's backlink profile shifted significantly each time I tinkered with my backlinks.
Is there a "ceiling" to how high KW-X can go?
I think the penalty on my site (Sandbox? Is there really such a thing?) is applied algorithmically. At this point, I am not entirely sure when the penalty will be lifted (if ever). I believe the solution is to build more links and stop creating "dead links". However, I wonder if there is a Google-imposed SERP ranking ceiling (cannot be on page 1) on KW-X for my site.
I should have... ...
Did any of you face a similar situation previously? What did you do to achieve a better outcome than me?