Off-Page Search Engine Optimization Strategy
The Google ranking algorithm applies significant importance to the number and quality of inbound links (also known as back-links or 'in-links') that a particular website acquires from other reputable sites on the web. Google holds link data for all domains including the anchor text used in each link, which helps to determine the overall site theme and the keyword relevance of individual pages.
Search engines like Google treat backlinks, which pass their increasingly stringent link quality checks, as 'votes' for a particular page, making inbound links one of the best ways to improve SEO rankings.
This is one reason why Google tends to favor older, more established domains as these will typically have acquired more backlinks from authority websites, improving Google ranking through trust.
A new website (less than 9 months online) will often experience poor Google ranking due to the fact that it has acquired few "votes" from other sites in the form of inbound links. For this reason, search engine marketing strategies for new websites should include social media marketing and managed AdWords PPC campaigns to increase targeted website traffic and encourage natural links.
Advanced Link Building Tips
With so many Black Hat SEO companies offering "link building packages" of 100 or 1000 links for a small outlay, it is not surprising that Google has developed anti-spam measures in its advanced algorithm which discount low quality spam links and reduce the ranking of sites which have an unnatural link profile.
Google determines link value through in-depth analysis of a number of factors including:
1. Page and Domain Authority - Links from established sites, relevant to theme, will have more value when it comes to improving Google ranking. Tools like the free SEOMoz Toolbar can help a webmaster determine the authority of any domain (DA) and page (PA) when searching for high quality link opportunities;
2. Link placement - Contextual links, which appear natural and are embedded into page content, are likely to improve Google visibility more than links which appear "paid" through being placed in the page footer or in an advertisement or 'sponsors box';
3. Reciprocal Links - Reciprocated links now carry significantly less value. Reciprocal linking is in fact becoming largely pointless and if done in excess can trigger a Google penalty;
4. Artificial Link Networks - Google attempts to identify link networks aimed at artificially raising Google ranking. Sites which utilize such Black-Hat SEO techniques may be banned from the Google indexed or be slapped with a Google Penalty;
5. Domain Ownership - Links from other sites, which you own or manage, will be discounted in value;
6. Same IP Links - Links from other websites, hosted on the same web server (IP Address), will be discounted;
7. Link Relevance - Links from sites of related theme are likely to carry more weight to increase SEO rankings;
8. Google Search Ranking - Links from popular content-rich pages, which rank well in the search results for related topics, are likely to raise Google ranking more than links on content devoid pages like 'resource pages' and directories. As an added bonus, pages with top Google rankings will often provide more referral traffic as well as having more SEO benefit;
9. Google Page Rank - The Google PageRank of the linking web page is an indicator of its link strength, but not necessarily its ranking performance;
10. Number of Outbound Links - The value of any link is influenced by the number of other outbound links on the page providing the link. The greater the number of links present, the lower the SEO value. Links from 'link farms' should be avoided