Dodgy backlinks
-
I've got a new client who made the mistake of spending $5 on a sack load of dodgy links some time ago.
I'm redoing his site, not set up analtics or WMT or anything yet, just starting on it but I had a look at his backlink profile and it's pretty shocking. Riddled with porn and money scams etc, but I'm concerned by the nature of one of the links....to the url is disturbing and I'm tempted to report them to the police. :(.
If I use the disavow tool will it remove the links from my backlink profile altogether or just block the dodgy site? I want to disaccociate the site altogether.
-
Thanks for the really helpful response, I'll do that and talk to the client about the domain change. Much appreciated.
-
I have a client with the exact same problem. They used Fiverr to get lots of dodgy backlinks.
I am still looking at the damage but we are considering moving to a new domain altogether
-
The disavow tool will effectively block the site, but it is not removed in the WMT report or any OSE, Majestic report etc.
To actually do that, the link itself must be removed. Best way to do that, of course, is to contact the webmaster of the site. I understand you probably don't want to visit the site in question, so you can enter the URL on domaintools.com and it will give the registrar data and hopefully an email.
Sounds like you have a right royal mess on your hands. For both SEO and branding purposes, I'd seriously consider the possibility of moving to a completely new domain. The amount of time to outreach and/or disavow those links would be substantial and as you say if you cannot get that particular link removed, only disavowed, it could be very, very bad.
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
-
Moz crawling doesn't show all of my Backlinks
I'm trying to make an SEO backlinks and anchors report on my website When using the Link Explorer, I see no backlinks to show while I have create much more backlinks on this website. How to fix the issue? How can I check and correct report of my backlinks? Website is www.poolcleanerspro.com I also need some how to track a keywords?
Link Building | | fassi345621 -
How long it takes to see backlink ?
We are promoting a law related website and I have posted a blog as a guest on a Law related blog which has PR 3 and Alexa Ranking 171.. It's been 3 weeks but when i run a backlink report from OpenExplorer or other tools that i use, i cannot see the link coming through at all. There is no no follow attached. I'd like to continue to post more articles on the same website but i need to make sure i am getting good links from it otherwise i will go somewhere else. However, i need to understand why do i not get links from that blog as it is very reputable and good blog. I appreciate if you can advise please? Thanks!
Link Building | | Rubix0 -
Easiest way to build backlinks?
I am working on lancing sites to get projects and my workers are not of that caliper to give each client Info-graphics/Guest blogging. Other than great great content.Whats the easiest way I can still apply with great care to build backlinks. -Forum posting on relevant sites with great care.Only relevant areas changing anchortext. -Blog posts with minimum OBL. -Web 2.0 properties with unique content. -Press release with open URL. -Directory submission on PR sites. -Article submission on Ezine and other article sites. -yahoo and other answering sites. Are these linkbuilding methods still I can use by giving value to others.Not add thanks this this that but working on proper relevant replies adding value.
Link Building | | csfarnsworth0 -
Will Google penalize for backlinks on non-indexed pages?
Have a client who has a bunch of links from spammy sites that aren't even indexed by Google. Will Google penalize (i.e. Penguin) for backlinks from spammy sites that aren't indexed? I'm guessing "Yes, Google still crawls non-indexed sites and may penalize the sites linked to from the banned site." Anyone have any data or experience with this? Anyone have a non-indexed or banned site? Does Google still crawl it?
Link Building | | AdamThompson0 -
Can a sitewide backlink with exact anchor text penalize my website?
A few years ago, I exchanged a link with another website. In the meantime, this other website grew quite fast and now they just added a forum. The backlink from their website is sitewide and is using the anchor text "best web hosting". According to Google, this backlink now appears on 117,000 pages of the same domain. Yesterday, I just got a warning from Google: "We've detected that some of your site's pages may be using techniques that are outside Google's Webmaster Guidelines..." Could that sitewide link be one of the causes? Of course I know there are tons of bad links to my site but I'm wondering if I should get this one removed. Thank you for your help and sorry for my english. Stephane
Link Building | | sbrault740 -
Does the complete url count as backlink?
Hi there, does the http://mysite.com count as a backlink if posted on a site? I post a press releae and the site only allows me to put urls like this. they get something or must be in anchor the url? Thanks
Link Building | | nyanainc0 -
Is it a good idea to have some backlinks point back to your business listing on the various directories?
During my link building campaign Ive been doing competitive research. I noticed that one of my competitors, who ranks very well organically and locally, has several back links pointing back to his business listing page on the various directories, such as Manta, Yellowbot, and so forth. Ive seen one of their profile pages with a PA as high as 65, where mine has a PA of 1. They seem to be heavily involved in spammy and shady techniques. This is why I'm asking if this is a recommended practice?
Link Building | | MFC0 -
My Backlinks droped form 3500 links to 700 in few days
I know it's strange but this what happened : i had like to 3500 Backlinks from 600 different domains and in one week it droped to 700 backlinks from 260 Domains .. I believe these huge backlinks was there for just 6 or 7 weeks from directory submissions where i was nearly in all the directories sidebar as a new link .. Now my ranking droped from 1st position for more than 6 keywords( for more than a year ) .. to the 5th and 6th page where its just jumbing in the different positions for more than 10 days now and this for all Keywords .. and my question is it a google dance cause i used to has a good ranking with this few number of links and this huge number was there for just 6 weeks .. or shall i go wild to come back to this number of backlinks again ..
Link Building | | hareedy0