Is Link Building Dead?

[Llanero]

I know there are various posts about this but none of them are up to date.

I am so reluctant to do any linking now as I was hurt by google algorithms (without even knowing I was doing anything bad back in April 2012).

I am just overwhelmed with all the seo info out there - I have written articles, blog on my site, lots of facebook postings  but I don't seem to reach people

I now have someone who wants to help me get a new linking structure to get my ranking back but the whole idea scares me. He basically wants to do the following using social media platforms only to get natural links (is this a very bad idea? ANY comments will be appreciated:

Proposed Plan includes 200-250 Do-Follow Themed Links to your “TARGET SITE”

50 Approved Social Bookmarking Links: - 2 articles are used to build 50 PR 3-9 do-follow links with guaranteed approvals.

25 Approved Article Submission Links: - 2 articles are used to build 25 PR 3-9 do-follow links with guaranteed approvals.

20 Approved Press Release Links: -2 articles are used to build 20 PR 3-9 do-follow links with guaranteed approvals.

50 Approved Web 2.0 Properties: - 2 articles are used to build 50 PR 3-9 do-follow links with guaranteed approvals.

30 Approved Classified Links: -  2 articles are used to build 30 PR 3-9 do-follow links with guaranteed approvals.

[McTaggart]

You're right to be scared! Earn backlinks via quality content and clever PR instead.

RE: News releases... http://searchengineland.com/google-links-in-a-press-release-should-be-nofollowed-like-advertisements-168339

[Chris.Menke]

Llanero,

I was going to write a long list of reasons why you shouldn't do this but  there are so many posts out there on the topic, I'm just going to say it's a horrible plan.  Rather than looking for someone to build links for you, you're better off looking for someone to help you write content that is going to make a positive difference in your marketing.

[crackingmedia]

I agree with Kevin. Those sort of tactics will not work and will ultimately bring your site more pain.

No, link building is not dead, but it has changed.

If your blog posts and articles are good and target information that people are searching for your pages will rank well and people will link to them either through social media or via their own sites.

Consider also backing up what you are doing with content on your site by making sure you include authorship that is connected to a Google+ account. Then use content sharing platforms like Google+ and LinkedIn (possibly specific LinkedIn groups if they exist for your industry) to place snippets of your articles with read more links to your articles and posts.

Peter

[KevinBudzynski]

Run. Google is extremely good at figuring out unnatural link profiles, so please don't do this.

The key is to earn links by having unique, compelling content that people want to link to.  Invest time and resources creating content that is useful. This is difficult to do (as you know), so read up on successful campaign and look for firms in your industry that is successful in doing this. Try mixing up your content strategy to see what works (video, images, how-to guides or whatever). Study your analytics and leverage any data source you have to get inspiration. Good luck!