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Google?s ability to detect manipulation in links is only improving. That means the only strategies left are to build the types of links Google wants to count: links that are a genuine vote of confidence; links that are editorial in nature; links that add value to the web.

Although links are given significant weight within Google?s search algorithm, you shouldn?t be building links for Google?s web crawlers. Instead, focus on your target audience when pursuing links, and think like a user.

Approaching link acquisition from an audience-first perspective will be much more effective and help you avoid potential issues with Penguin. Before Google came around, an audience-first mentality was the only method that made sense, and with the evolution of Google?s search algorithm it?s again become the most viable approach.

The types of links Google wants to count in their algorithm are the same types of links the web was founded on. Again, the four main reasons sites link to one another online include:

Navigation: Creating pathways to a site.
Reference: Further information on a topic, business, person, etc.
Citation: Acknowledging the original source of content.
Endorsement: Public display of support.
Instead of mass generating manipulative links that are completely useless to human users, you need to engage with real webmasters that have real sites and convince them to link to you. Of course, this requires that your site genuinely offers value.

While it?s possible to earn these links passively, in order to take full advantage of your opportunities you need to manually promote your value. Actively seek out websites that are relevant to your website and audience, and promote yourself.

The tactics that work today are the same tactics that helped site owners acquire links before Google existed. The only thing that has changed is the application, or the way we leverage a tactic for links. A specific tactic is not inherently spammy, but if you use it in a manipulative manner it becomes spammy. Tactics such as:

Guest posting
Resource link building
Directory listings
Blog/forum commenting
Let?s take a quick look at how each has changed, and some examples of both the good and the bad.

Found on searchengineland.com/link-building-no-longer-manipulation-223987

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