What do you do if you have been hit by recent Google updates but cannot remove the links?

[tempowebdesign]

We have a potential new client who did their own SEO about 6-7 years ago.They ranked really well for years then obviously recently got hit.

Some of the links they have are shocking, directories, articles sites etc.  They did not use links farms but the links do not look great at all.   The problem is they do not have log ins to remove these links manually themselves.  Asking for a reconsideration with Google will not get us anywhere due to more recent link building issues we are trying to resolve.

They have sent removal requests at least 10 times to these sites but no response.  Has anyone overcome these types of issues previously and can give any tips?

This would be a good client for us so keen to see what I can do to get them on-board.

[tempowebdesign]

like the 404 idea I will try that one.

Not done any work yet trying to get them on as a client.  But I want to be sure we can 100% help, no point taking the project if its not going to improve much for them.

Any one else got any experience with this please chip in.  Surely there must be loads of people who cannot get links removed, they can't all lose there online business due to this.

[anthonydnelson]

I haven't had much experience with this problem, but here are some things I would try.

• First, keep track and document all attempts to remove links. Website, contact dates, emails, etc.
• Offer to pay each webmaster $20 to remove the link. Money talks and will often get you a response.
• Consider 404ing the pages that the bad sites link to. Move your content to a new page. Do not 301 it. Of course, you will lose any legitimate links you have earned. Perhaps you can contact those sites to update to your new URL.
• Disavow links in Bing Webmaster Tools
• If you've put in a lot of work on #1 above, and had some success with #2 above, submit a reconsideration request with Google.