Should Google devalue links from social sites?
I would like to share a query asked by one of my readers, Vishal. I think this question arose in the minds of lot of SEOs one or the other time. He asked:
“Is it time search engines (especially Google) devalue links from sites like linkedin, myspace, facebook etc. I dont have anything against these sites and I myself use linkedin with good success. But I feel these sites dilute the quality of SERPs. I maybe wrong, what do you think Preeti?”
Firstly, thanks Vishal for your query.
Web 2.0 concept emphasizes on social networking sites like myspace, digg, facebook etc. But does Google really value such links? Most of the social networking sites are using ‘nofollow’ attribute in the links to external sites. And Google can’t crawl ‘nofollow’ links.
The main point behind using these social sites is ‘Human Vote’. To get to the top page of Digg.com, people need to like your content, and if people don’t then you won’t get on the top page. Why do SEOs want to get to the front page of Digg? Well, not only does it send a lot of quick traffic, it also encourages Digg users and others to blog about your content. That means more links. As mentioned in my post Google Webmaster ‘Tricks and Treats’ Webinar, Jonathan too said that links are a way to bring visitors. Thus, more viewers, more links.
Google says “Always focus on the users and not on search engines when developing your optimization strategy. Ask yourself what creates value for your users. Investing in the quality of your content and thereby earning natural backlinks benefits both the users and drives more qualified traffic to your site.”
So the two major challenges for an SEO are:
- Get your content on high spots of social sites.
- Need to have people write and link to your content on their own websites.
I think that by next year, i.e., 2010, Google is going to change its algorithm altogether. And Web 2.0 will be over-powered by much advanced Web 3.0. But till then, follow Web 2.0 and keep connecting. 🙂
If you like my content, bookmark it on social networks and subscribe to RSS feed. Share with your friends by sending them an email or IM right away from the below widget. Post me a comment to clarify your queries.
Pingback: Should Google devalue links from social sites? | SEO Tutorial and … | bestwebhostingservices.com
Pingback: Posts about Web 2.0 as of January 12, 2009 | The Lessnau Lounge
Hey Preeti,
Thanks a ton for posting. Nice read so I have submitted it to digg.
There’s one thing: I think the post addressed my query in a different manner. You are right about social bookmarking sites like digg, mixx, SU etc. They hold good value and as you said provide the much needed “Human Vote”
What I actually meant was social networking sites like linkedin, facebook etc. As a searcher which SERP would you prefer: person’s linkedin profile or her website? One searches for a name on GOOG the SERPs are the person’s linkedin, facebook, myspace etc profiles.
Nonetheless, it was an excellent post and I enjoyed it immensely and I’m sure other visitors will find this post equally interesting
Warm Regards
Vishal
I had understood your point completely. Social networking sites too fall in the same category as social bookmarking sites.
I think your main concern is for your website. (I had checked it). The SERPs depend on various factors. If you search for a person’s name, only you know that you want to see his website. Search engine don’t know this (artificial intelligence concept will come with Web 3.0) and thus, it displays all the information related to that person. Social networking sites like linkedin, facebook rank high because they have received lot of love from search engines and people visiting them. Similarly, if your site have the capability to compete with social sites, then I guarantee that your website will come on top and not the profile page from any social site.