Spammy website dominating SERPs! Why!?
-
Hey guys,
I've recently noticed that a series of EMDs have been setup to completely spam an extensive set of keywords - and it seems to be working.
All of the URLs are keyword targeted with tons of keyword variations. And they're getting massive ranking preference over a number of more established websites.
These are just an example of some of the domains;
And then there's loads of local targeted domains such as;
Again, all of these are getting high ranking with what seems to be duplicated websites. It's pretty bizarre.
Will Google penalise these sites? Surely they will?
-
It really isn't that simple though, is it?
We're always at the mercy of Google's Algorithm and, unfortunately, the search engine is still in a certain state that it can still give preference to websites that don't have great content. In fact, websites with rubbish content.
-
I agree with EGOL, why focus on what these low-level spammers are doing, wouldnt it be better to focus on the BEST content you can create for that clients target customer and aim to make your client the BEST company in that industry?
Great Content = Great Traffic = Great Customers = Great Conversion = Great Profits = Great Client.....it really is that simple!
-
I agree with Irving, "It's just a matter of time until they get penalized." - lots hope its not that long.
Yes, this is it.
I read many of your posts on here, and if I was to ask you if I should do what they a have done with a site, I would guess you would say no - you need to create great content, lots of really great content and post it directly to your own site etc etc - right?
That is what I am doing every day on each of my sites.
For information sites I am trying to make the best page on the web for that topic.
For retail sites I have product pages that are about like everyone else's page - maybe a bit more wordy... but then I have lots of information pages that I try to make the best-on-the-web for that topic.
I attack everything with that method... and pay very little attention to the tricks that others are doing. It takes my eye off of the ball.
-
I don't think it is that simple.
They are a known scam out fit, operating under multiple names and ripping customers off. There are countless cases online of customers being scammed by using these sites. However, seemingly they create a new domain, and get ranked.
Thats fair enough, if they are able to do that they should be SEOs, however, its a clear scam, with replicated sites. Sites with no links, poor content and new domains - great SEO
And is that in-line with what is perceived to deliver rankings? Egol, I read many of your posts on here, and if I was to ask you if I should do what they a have done with a site, I would guess you would say no - you need to create great content, lots of really great content and post it directly to your own site etc etc - right?
So, how can a site, or rather multiple sites like this, with zero content, zero links (some have anchor text rich links from forums) and new registered domains, mostly on the same server, beat long established, big name companies in the UK (and no, not sites I have worked on) within days of registering a new domain, and then, not only stay there, but move up the rankings?
Its not that simple.
I agree with Irving, "It's just a matter of time until they get penalized." - lots hope its not that long.
-
I like Irving's answer... my initial impression is...
These are not EMDs. If you are not beating them then they have either earned their positions or you haven't.
I think it is that simple.
-
A further check reveals that the operators of these sites appear to be scam artists. I've checked and they own over 200 domains, many of them registered this year, all with similar EMDs.
There are also many many sites with customer reviews compalining about being scammed by them: http://www.reviewcentre.com/Kitchens-and-Bathrooms/Kitchen-Units-www-kitchenunits-co-reviews_1463360
So, is Google's algorithm really that advanced if these can operator and push out legitimate sites?
Should we all just become spammers in this case?
-
In terms of reporting them, I've noticed that Google only allows you to produce a spam complaint for one URL at a time. Is there a way to add multiple URLs?
-
Well, for one particular competitive keyword they've steadily been climbing from page two, one, and are now in position number three.
I know what you mean about the payday loan sector too. That search is even more spammy than this industry.
-
If you have only recently noticed them then i guess they are fairly new and exploiting their honeymoon preiod with search engines. As Irving says I am sure they will be penalised soon.
We work with a brand that operates within the UK Payday Loan sector and we see spam sites being created on a daily and hourly basis. Using several illegal methods to get links they tend to gain top rankings for a few days / a week before Google gets on top of them.
If you want to try and raise these to Googles attention prior to this you could file a spam report through Webmaster tools.
-
It's just a matter of time until they get penalized. I see same phone number, same content, i'm sure same server.
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
-
Different SERPs positions UK - Ireland
Hi there! I've been checking rankings in UK and Ireland for the last months and I found something really interesting... "Belfast + keyword" - UK = 2º position / Ireland = 1º position "keyword + Belfast" - UK = 14º position / Ireland = 1º position *(same keyword) I don't understand how it is possible... Website is not geo-targeted so Google has no preference for any of these countries... Any ideas about why does it happen?
Search Behavior | | seosogood1 -
Does Not listing the prices on my website hurt?
Hey Mozers, I currently run a catalog type website and there are no prices listed. Would you happen to have an article of some sort that could back up why not listing prices is bad? I'm trying to express the importance of listing prices on the website. Can anyone help, The more articles the better!
Search Behavior | | rpaiva0 -
Local SERPs Question - Phone Call or Click?
I have a client who recently experienced a boost in local organic rankings. They were appearing towards the bottom of the local (maps) results (with their phone number & address listed) for their main target keywords. After this ranking boost, they are now positioned higher in the SERPs, in the traditional organic section. It seems as though this boost in rankings has actually caused a slight DECREASE in organic search traffic to their website. My theory is that when they were listed in the Google+ Local section of Google, some people must have been calling directly from the SERPs instead of actually clicking through to their website. Due to the issues involved with organic call tracking, it's obviously difficult to measure the actual impact of strong Google+ Local rankings. So, I'm on a mission to find some reliable data on this. For my own peace of mind and that of my client. Does anybody know of any research conducted that analyses the % of local searches that result in a phone call directly from the local SERPs without actually clicking through to a business' website or Google+ page? In know this is a tricky one (and probably harder to ascertain on desktop than mobile) but any advice would be much appreciated. Thanks!
Search Behavior | | Dave_Eddy0 -
Any Good Study on the Effects of CTR on Keyword Capitalization in SERP Description
Hey Guys I am wondering if any of you have done any study or testing on this ( or perhaps you might have come across one at some point in your career ) Personally I feel that while adding a description , it makes sense to Capitalize the Keywords and other words ( first letter only ) that I want to emphasise on ( perhaps stuff like Buy, High Quality, Best, etc ) . I want to pick your brains on this and see what you guys think about it. I have not tested the effects on CTR yet .. if someone else has then it will be a good resource for me to go through. ( and if no one else has done any relevant study I might do it at some stage ). Regards Saijo
Search Behavior | | Saijo.George0 -
When auditing a website, when do you decide to delete pages?
Given that the Panda algorithm includes engagement and user experience, when would you consider deleting a page that has poor engagement and conversion metrics? For example, consider a page that ranks well organically and receives (relatively) decent traffic from search. However, this page has poor engagement metrics compared to other pages on the site, does not convert visitors as well as other pages on the site, and doesn't have any external links. Would you consider deleting this page? Which metrics do you use when auditing a site and considering a web page from removal (bounce rate, average time on site, pages per visit, linking root domains, visits, revenue per visit, etc.)? Are some metrics weighed more than others? What kind of thresholds do you use? Finally, is there a situation when you would choose NOT to delete pages, even considering the above?
Search Behavior | | SAMarketing0 -
Clicking on SERPs
I've spoken to 2 people in the past few weeks, who have clients who search for their keywords every day, and then click on their own links, but not others, in the belief that this is good for their website ranking. Google does track clicks with redirects, so I can understand that they would know someone searched for a term, and they clicked on a result. I could understand if it was once per month, but doing it every day? And if they keep coming back, to search for other keywords and click on those results too. Looks like they would just paint a very large target on themselves. What's your opinion?
Search Behavior | | loopyal0 -
How do i know if my links are being classed as spammy?
I have recently notice that a lot of my domains are dropping positions where they have been in a solid position for nearly a year which was good 🙂
Search Behavior | | Dorzone
I am now wondering if google is dropping them due to spammy links but i don't have the first clue how i would find this out. Does anyone have a good way to figure this out or anything to help with this?0 -
Website coming up in omitted results for search term?
Hi, My website is coming up in omitted results for search term. Now I have heard before if this is the case then its mainly due to a duplicate content penalty. But the content I used is unique and produced by a copywriter so its good. Its a new site and was in the results for about 2 weeks, I changed the non www to www in webmaster tools 1 day ago and now its sitting in omitted results. In webmaster tools I had to add the domain twice one non www and one www. Both accounts I hooked up a sitemap. Is it just because the site is new and its just working out where to rank me? Just so you know the non www was indexed for the 2 weeks changed it in webmaster tools so I wanted the www one indexed and now gone into omitted results. Cheers
Search Behavior | | activitysuper0