Competitors using unsavoury methods of link building. How to combat?

[charliedouglas123]

A lot of my competitors are using a lot of unsavoury/old-fashioned SEO methods to build links but are actually doing really well from it.

A few different competitors are buying links in directories, using blogspam comments, forum posts, buying links in other places.

The problem is, they all seem to be doing very well with it! What I've always been taught is that these methods are out and they could actually harm you - yet I haven't seen this happen to my competitors.

Should I be using these spammy methods too or just concentrate on building quality content and high quality link building?

[Bondara]

Your competitors will need to pay to renew those links, you won't.

Your competitors spend $200 on a link for a year, you spend $200 on 10 quality articles.

After a year they have to renew the same link for another $200, you have the option to generate another 10 articles, either way your original 10 articles are still active.

[Ubique]

I too see some of our competitors using the same tactics and beating us in SERPs. Google has been finger wagging about this for some time now, but on the ground the reality is very different.

I think it comes down to your strategy, do you want to win short term and build a brand relatively quickly or are you in it for the long haul? Short term gain Vs long term pain? The SEO community in general relies on most participants be conscientious with an unwritten set of 'good' behaviours Vs 'bad' behaviours constantly being touted as some form of social movement. This is all very well and fairly inclusive... but the rules of the game as far as I can see don't necessarily translate through in practise.

So, it's essentially down to you and what you want to do. Right answers.... there are very few certainties when it comes to SEO as it's a constantly shifting landscape. Personally I prefer to play by the rules because it's in my nature, others may be more commercially orientated depending on their goals and so they employ a different set of tactics.

Either way good luck!

[EGOL]

What I've always been taught is that these methods are out and they could actually harm you - yet I haven't seen this happen to my competitors.

Don't modify a good plan of attack because you see others doing something that you know will cause problems.

Hang in there.  Work harder.

If these guys are beating you then it might be a good idea to get a site review to see if there is anything that you are doing that is holding you back or anything that you could be doing that will increase your effectiveness.  It is never a bad time to reassess your methods.