To most SEOs, Google’s consistent changes to the algorithm keeps link builders and SEOs on their toes. In actuality, the algorithm updates are designed to serve better results and enhance users experience. Google changes their algorithm nearly 500 times annually, and link builders scramble to adopt new tactics in order to consistently elevate rankings and avoid penalties.

From the most recent algo updates a la “peguin” link builders are pressed to create natural link building techniques. This means that link building is a rather slow and tedious process. However, if you do not care about the algo updates and you just want links yesterday then here are some great ways to build unnatural links the fast and dirty way.

Here we take a look at 3 commonly used and ineffective link building strategies.

Spammy Directories

Directories are simply a large database of websites filtered into various categories (i.e. computers, medical, etc.). Think of them like the white pages in your local phone book. While a company might want to make sure they’re included in the listings under their appropriate category, they have no real priority when it comes to Google indexing. Many times a single entity will create generic directories in bulk and offer services to allow link builders to submit sites en masse, leading to indifferent results. If a company is listed in the white pages of one phone book, they aren’t all that more likely to increase their business traffic by listing themselves in 200 more. Businesses can much better succeed by standing out in their respective fields, and the best way to accomplish that feat is to become a cherished brand that participates within their community. That being said, having several listings in specified directories that pertain exclusively to the field of the client can be a good for helping to increase a client’s web presence – just don’t expect it to have a severe impact on their ranking.

Abuse Forums

Forums are great places for people to seek troubleshooting tips, discuss hobbies, and simply socialize with others who share common interests. However, as far as link building is concerned, they should be considered dead space. Aside from harboring a potential profile link, forums are so regularly updated that posting a link within a thread is pointless. While generally one can place a url with anchor text and keywords in the comments and signature, odds are it will be moderated out for being overly promotional or quite simply the thread will be closed. As well, the potential to misrepresent a client is considerably larger here, as forums are very casual places that spurn a lot of one on one debating. Even if the forum is well inside a client’s field, it is a relatively minor link that is best to avoid. To the seasoned link builder, tactics like forum posting have high potential to be the target of the next major Google update.

Ultra Spammy Blog Comments

Blog comments aren’t necessarily a bad idea, but they are low-quality links that are most likely no-follow. This means that both Google and readers of the comment will see the URL to a client’s site, but it is entirely up to the owner of the blog whether or not to make the URL do follow so that Google recognizes it as a relevant contribution. While it is a good idea to keep blog comments rolling as a general contribution to the client’s community, most of the time they don’t do much to improve the client’s rankings. In all they can be recommended because they have a great degree of creating natural presence, they cannot be relied on for do follow links. What’s worse, most link builders have a tendency to put too much emphasis on anchor text for their comment name (i.e. Discount Shoe Surplus says:) making the comment appear as spam to the blogger and to Google.

Although these tactics are still utilized by most link builders to some degree, they are largely ineffective. Link building in today’s SERPS is about participating on relevant directories, forums and blogs, as Will Reynolds says, “Just do real shit”.  Natural link building takes time and persistence, but its benefits not only to contribute to overall marketing objectives, but it also keeps you safe from the next major algo tweak.

[author] [author_image timthumb='on']http://pageonepower.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/zach-for-bio-and-authoring-purposes.jpg[/author_image] [author_info], in addition to being company co-founder, an expert in search engine optimization or SEO, white-hat link building and online marketing, launched the Link Building Times in 2011. Since then, he has written, edited and overseen the overall editorial direction of the publication, leading it to increasing success.

Ball is considered a go-to expert in the field of link building, and is sought after for speaking engagements, industry events and other places where he can share his advanced skillset.

You can connect with Ball on Twitter, Google+, or LinkedIn, and learn more about him here [/author_info] [/author]

Zach Ball

About Zach Ball

Zach Ball earned degrees in political science and secondary education, but ended up starting an internet marketing firm with his brother Jon. That firm is Page One Power.