As part of the flux SEOs are seeing this morning in the search results comes news that Google took out at least two link networks in the UK.
The two networks were penalized but it is unknown if those who bought or sold links have received notices in their Google Webmaster Tools accounts yet. It usually takes a few days after a link network is hit before webmasters get official notices of the penalties in their accounts.
If you were one of the sites penalized due to the link networks, you should start removing and/or disavowing links immediately.
Mozcast showed some volatility over the weekend in the search results and some of it could be the result of the link networks being hit.
Google hasn’t been commenting on link networks being penalized in Google as much lately, as Matt Cutts stated prior to going on leave that they were trying to be more positive in their communications. I have reached out to Google for comment.
Update: I reached out to Google and they responded that they have no comment on this
Jennifer Slegg
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gregory smith says
Would like to learn more about which link networks it was and who owned them.
Jennifer Slegg says
I am pretty sure at least one of them was a private network, but I imagine by tomorrow or the next day the news will be out 🙂
Scott says
Sorry, left this on the wrong post, meant to do it here:
So yeah, this untrackable link network wasn’t so untrackable after all. I lost 5 sites to what I assume is this, but thank god they were throwaway with $5 articles from India and not my real money makers.
Lucky for them I guess with Matt Cutts on break, he won’t out which network it was, but yeah, sucks for me. I won’t use them again if they come up with something even more (gasp) untrackable.
Anderson says
so, you’re part of the problem. The word “throwaway” should not be in your lexicon. That’s what happens to rubbish / garbage.
Scott says
When you are in certain market areas, nice guys are going to finish last, it is almost entirely made of throwaways and a couple of guys around for years with sites that just won’t die.
This was a private-y network run by a buddy who I thought knew what he was doing, when I audited it after, it would seem he linked out too heavy to too many bad affiliate sites he quickly began throwing up (or maybe he was selling them, I don’t know) when he knew the links were gold.
I’ve heard talk that the other network was private as well with a ton of blogs, but I didn’t ask for specifics and I wouldn’t feel good about blabbing it if I did. It seems pretty hush hush, so I think maybe the big G didn’t find the whole thing.
Jennifer Slegg says
No problem, I didn’t notice the first one was on the wrong post either. And I know people will ask, any hints which network it was that got you hit? I assume one out of the UK?
Scott says
Both private but pretty big, but one of them might not have been a full hit,
Scott says
Sorry, I also meant to say I wouldn’t feel comfortable kissing and telling here.
Richard Lane says
Your title tells me two UK link networks were banned … yet the article doesn’t mention them. Just wasted 5 minutes of my day that I can never get back.