On Friday, I wrote at Search Engine Land Google Warns Against Large-Scale Guest Posting, Advertorials & "Optimized Anchor Text" In Press Releases. In short, Google has updated their link schemes document specifically citing three new topics:
(1) Large-scale article marketing or guest posting campaigns with keyword-rich anchor text links
(2) Advertorials or native advertising where payment is received for articles that include links that pass PageRank
(3) Links with optimized anchor text in articles or press releases distributed on other sites.
Since the story broke late Friday, it might have been missed by many SEOs. Despite that, the story does have over 60 comments right now and growing.
Why are SEOs up in arms about these changes?
Well, it is mostly around the "Links with optimized anchor text" phrase. This is what link builders were all about. Getting links with "optimized anchor text" and now, at least within "articles or press releases distributed on other sites" that is dead. Well, where else do you get "optimized anchor text" where it matters, expect off site on articles or press releases all on other sites? Of course, internal links matter but as much as external links?
Does this mean link building is dead?
For more details on the before and after, read my story at Search Engine Land.
Forum discussion at Google+ & Threadwatch.
Image credit to BigStockPhoto for link icon
