Spam Back Link Removal Problem.
-
I have just paid a lot of money to have spam back links removed from directories owned by the same person, the links were on pages that were set up for me without me knowing, at the end of each url is my domain name, the links have been removed on the page leaving a directory page with no other links on however the url is still there with my domain name at the end of the url and in each search box is my domain name, I have asked for the pages to be removed altogether as I did say before I paid the money I did not want my domain name on any of his directories, he has come back and said leaving my domain name in the urls is not a problem as far as Google is concerned, can anyone please advise, I can ask for a refund from PayPal, there are over 768 links on different sections of a number of directories.
Thank you inadvance.
-
Chris
Thank you for all of your help.
-
I'd say the domain name does show up in the url and the search box. They're not links, however.
-
What about thedomainnaWhat a bout the domain name in the search box, do you still think I should claim my payment back from PayPal, the agreement was that I did not want my domain name on any of his directories.
-
That's certainly a real page, alright, but it won't do any additional harm your site as it stands right now.
-
I don't think that's the right url.
-
I think you're saying that the webmaster did remove the hyperlink but left evidence of the link by way of the anchor text that was used for the link. It also sounds like the webmaster had said the page that the link was on would be removed but is now refusing to remove it.
I would say that if you have it in writing that they would remove the page, you certainly have reason to dispute the payment with paypal, as Tom says. If not, at least the worst of the problem is over. I'd at least document the transaction and the conversation and let the webmaster know that those details will be included in your reconsideration report to Google if he/she won't also remove the page. Then you may just forward it all to Google anyway.
So, if the links aren't there any longer they're not going to count against you. But let me tell you, the rest of your link profiles doesn't look that great. Be sure you're working on dealing with those other links, as well.
-
Thank you for a good reply, we have used the disavow tool six months ago but it has had no effect at all, our main keyword is the backbone of our business we have got to do something or else we will not have a business.
-
Hi John
I'm not going to get into whether removing these links was worthwhile (in short: I can't see them having either a positive nor negative effect. The effect would be nil) but let me be clear about the main matter at hand: get your money back ASAP.
There's no reason at all for you to have to pay for links to be removed when something like the disavow tool exists - in fact I'm fairly convinced it was one of the reasons why it was developed in the first place. You've essentially been extorted. There is no sense in this - otherwise, I could easily find your website, build thousands of bad links on a crap network I could set up and then threaten you with them until you paid me to remove them. I'm not going to do that of course, that would be despicably evil!
If you're concerned about those links then disavow those links - don't give into demands like this.
Now, as for getting your money back - I think you could successfully dispute this with PayPal. You have paid for a digital service and the seller has failed to deliver (and refuses to). The work implied the links would be removed, yet the links still exist in some form. The seller is effectively in breach of contract, so you should get your money back. For better of worse, PayPal does favour the buyer in the majority of cases - this case it is definitely for the better.
I hope you get the money back in full.
Got a burning SEO question?
Subscribe to Moz Pro to gain full access to Q&A, answer questions, and ask your own.
Browse Questions
Explore more categories
-
Moz Tools
Chat with the community about the Moz tools.
-
SEO Tactics
Discuss the SEO process with fellow marketers
-
Community
Discuss industry events, jobs, and news!
-
Digital Marketing
Chat about tactics outside of SEO
-
Research & Trends
Dive into research and trends in the search industry.
-
Support
Connect on product support and feature requests.
Related Questions
-
How to build ( Linked domains )
I need help can someone tell me how to build Linked domains from pinterest.com,plus.google.com,facebook.com,twitter.com,linkedin.com to my website muller-designs.com all my competitors are ranking very well and have thousands of dollars of organic traffic and am not talking about the big fishes here are some examples mybarnwoodframes.com or www.framemymirror.com , this are one of my competitors, i have analize well all websites and the major difference we have are the Linked domains i have a couple of hundreds and they have thousands can someone help me anttel how can i create ( Linked domains ) o tell me what's going on with my website i spend a lot of money and time but just don't have good results i appreciate any tip of someone that already have ranked well a website THANK YOU
Algorithm Updates | | alexmuller870 -
Should I create a menu link for sitemap?
Hi guys, I am new to SEO and I have a question for you guys. We created a sitemap for our website. I was thinking of creating a sitemap link on our homepage. Do you think it's a good idea? Would this help us in terms of ranking improvements? Or would help with anything at all? Thanks
Algorithm Updates | | ahmetkul0 -
Proactively Use GWT Removal Tool?
I have a bunch of links on my site from sexualproblems.net (not a porn site, it's a legit doctor's site who I've talked to on the phone in America). The problem is his site got hacked and has tons of links on his homepage to other pages, and mine is one of them. I have asked him multiple times to take the link down, but his webmaster is his teenage son, who doesn't basically just doesn't feel like it. My question is, since I don't think they will take the link down, should I proactively remove it or just wait till I get a message from google? I'd rather not tell google I have spam links on my site, even if I am trying to get them removed. However, I have no idea if that's a legitimate fear or not. I could see the link being removed and everything continuing fine or I could see reporting the removal request as signaling a giant red flag for my site to be audited. Any advice? Ruben
Algorithm Updates | | KempRugeLawGroup0 -
Google Site Links question
Are Google site links only ever shown on the top website? Or is it possible for certain queries for the site in position #2 or #3 or something to have site links but the #1 position not have them? If there are any guides, tips or write ups regarding site links and their behavior and optimization please share! Thanks.
Algorithm Updates | | IrvCo_Interactive0 -
Do links from unrelated sites dilute your rankings for your key phrases?
do links from unrelated sites dilute your rankings for your key phrases? i've always heard don't get links from unrelated sites but if that mattered, then how would sites with totally diverse pages such as newspaper sites, sears, and other catalogue sites rank for these diverse subjects on their site? How does Facebook rank when it gets 100,000 links a day from sites that have nothing to do with a social media site? I'd love to hear everyone's opinion on this. Also, Do links from unrelated sites give less push than related links? Take care,
Algorithm Updates | | Ron10
Ron0 -
Since authorship markup requires a domain email, how can a community website allow users to link their Google+ profile?
It seems that Google now requires authors to have a valid email on the domain. This is easy for the traditional web publication. But what about community websites like SEOmoz? How can a community website allow users to link their Google+ profile? Will community websites like SEOmoz be required to 1. Give all users a domain email 2. Ask users to validate the email address with Google? Seems overly complicated.
Algorithm Updates | | designquotes0 -
WIll embedding affiliate links from Amazon, commission connection services, and AdSense damage your SEO?
Will having affiliate marketing links and images on your website damage search engine ranking on certain terms? Those affiliate links are just for office tools and online document services and nothing like an adult contents or spamming.
Algorithm Updates | | WebMarketingSmart1