Link building during link removal

[WizardOfMoz]

We were advised by out outsourced link removal vendor not to build any links while they are removing links pointing to our site.

I am worried that our site will lose significant traffic if we dont build any new links while waiting for them to remove links that caused our site to be penalized.

What are your thoughts?

[kchandler]

I just finished going through this process with a client and i assure you 100% of your effort should be in disavowing and removing links BEFORE adding new backlinks to your site.

When Google reviews you for reconsideration they do not look at how many new links you gained but instead if you removed the bad ones that got you there in the first place. I would suggest talking to Marie Haynes on the topic - she is a great asset!

Cheers - Kyle

[WizardOfMoz]

Ive read that we need to have some attempt to contact the webmasters asking to remove the link before eventually disavowing them if theyre nonresponsive/uncooperative.

yeah its tough...

this looks like a good read though

http://www.seomoz.org/ugc/what-a-penguin-recovery-looks-like

[WizardOfMoz]

We are planning to hire expert link builders to build quality links this time.

My worry is if we will lose more traffic if we don't balance out the number links we will lose.

[Inductive_Automation]

I would argue that it is neccassary to build quality links for your website even if are penalized. Although, if you are building links just to build them, and not building quality links/relationships that actually matter, then they are right.

[jesse-landry]

If your site has been penalized, haven't you already lost rankings and traffic?

I'm assuming they're asking you not to build links to ensure they don't remove links you are adding... bah. I don't know why you outsourced this I would just do it myself. All they are doing is contacting webmasters and then disavowing. Hell they might even just be disavowing for all I know... They don't have magic tools to remove links with.

I'd fire them, attempt to remove, document, spreadsheets, screenshots of emails and requests, lists, etc and then disavow, resubmit all the while building new organic and relevant links. That's my thoughts. Sorry... I know this is tough. I have experience with this problem as well. It stinks.

G'luck