What are Unnatural Links?
Unnatural links are backlinks gained through manipulative or deceptive tactics that violate search engine guidelines, especially Google’s.
Why Do They Matter?
These links are often used to cheat the system and artificially boost a site’s rankings. While they might offer short-term gains, they can lead to serious penalties from search engines.
Google’s Penguin Update
To combat manipulative linking, Google introduced the Penguin algorithm. It detects unnatural links and can penalize websites by lowering their rankings or removing them from results entirely.
Common Types of Unnatural Links
Paid Links:
Exchanging money for links or participating in paid link schemes.
Fix: Stop this practice and disavow those links.Low-Quality Directories:
Directories created solely for backlinks, not user value.
Fix: Remove your site from these directories.Excessive Link Exchanges:
Repeatedly trading links with other sites just to boost rankings.
Fix: Disavow such links.Injected Links:
Links added via hacking or without site owner consent.
Fix: Disavow and ask for nofollow tags.Sitewide Footer Links:
Links appearing on every page, often unrelated or spammy.
Fix: Request nofollow and disavow as needed.Widgets With Embedded Links:
If widgets include backlinks irrelevant to the content, they are unnatural.
Fix: Add nofollow to those links.Press Releases/Syndicated Articles for Links Only:
Content published solely to gain backlinks.
Fix: Improve the content instead of relying on link stuffing.Comment and Forum Spam:
Leaving spammy links in blog comments or forums.
Fix: Disavow and stop the behavior.Guest Posts Just for Links:
Guest posting with the sole aim of backlinking, not adding value.
Fix: Ask for nofollow or remove the links.Bookmark/Directory Spam:
Links from spammy or irrelevant directories.
Fix: Stick to reputable sources and remove harmful links.Redirected Domains:
Buying expired domains just to pass their link juice via redirects.
Fix: Avoid such tactics. Ask webmasters to link directly to your main site.
How to Detect Unnatural Links?
Google Search Console:
Use it to see who’s linking to your site. Look for any suspicious domains.
Backlink Audit Tools:
Tools like SEMrush or Ahrefs help identify toxic links.
SEMrush: Use the 'Backlink Audit' feature to flag harmful links.
Ahrefs: Use filters to find low-authority or spammy domains.
Anchor Text Analysis:
Overuse of exact-match keyword anchors can be a red flag.
Diversify your anchor text to appear natural.
Unusual Backlink Growth:
A sudden spike in backlinks often points to manipulative link-building.
How to Avoid Unnatural Links?
Create Quality Content:
Focus on helpful, original, and valuable content that earns links naturally.Build Genuine Relationships:
Collaborate with trustworthy websites and engage with your niche community.Avoid Buying Links:
Never pay for backlinks as this is against search engine rules.Don't Use Automation Tools:
Automated link generation tools often produce spammy links.Monitor Your Backlinks:
Regularly review your backlink profile. Identify and disavow harmful links.Use Nofollow for Paid Links:
Always tag sponsored or affiliate links withrel="nofollow"orrel="sponsored".
Take Away
Unnatural links can harm your site’s SEO and lead to penalties. Focus on earning links the right way—by creating quality content, building trust, and offering value. Avoid shortcuts, and your rankings will thank you in the long run.