Google has just changed the way they view web sites and many are being removed from their index... is yours one of them?
Recently it came out in the Press that Overstock.com and JC Penney (more on that here: http://blog.searchenginewatch.com/110226-184951 ) were using other sites, some just for the purpose of posting a link back to their site, to increase their rankings on Search Engines. This is a common strategy and often employed by those companies calling you and claiming to get you on the front page of Google. Now these sites are being outed and their customers are paying the price.
If you are caught playing in this arena your site will simply be removed from the index. All those backlinks you have created to bolster your position on search engines are down the tubes as it were.
So what is the solution.
First of all lets be clear what is going on. What are called Link Farms or sites whose sole purpose is to generate a link back to your site are being scrutinized by the new algorithm of Google and if you fall into being one of their customers, ie: you have links from those sites to your site or a page on your site, you will be taken down the rankings ladder or even removed entirely from the index. This is of course the kiss of death for companies today that thrive from the traffic they get off of search engine results... and YOU of course will now have to suffer too. One of the big issues is that even legitimate companies are feeling the pain. Even if you have been very careful to build links and exchange links with other companies and organizations. So, don't take this lying down.
You can tell Google your pain here: https://www.google.com/support/webmasters/bin/answer.py?answer=35843
Don't be shy but be aware that you may be playing with fire. By asking Google to come look you over you may actually be inviting further downgrading... Inspection can be a two edged sword.
So how should you be playing this game. Simply use the tools that Google provides. If you want to build legitimate back links, get on the front page of Google and have a presentation that engages your client - use video. Post everything you have to YouTube... its free.
For our auto and real estate clients we of course do this in an automated way. This gives your site a 1x increase in back links that Google actually likes to find.... next step multiply those links by 5x.
Multiply your back links (legitimately) by posting videos on YouTube. Once uploaded to YouTube use the AutoShare feature in YouTube to feed videos to Facebook, Twitter, Google Buzz, MySpace and Google Reader... all legitimate links, all considered by Search Engines when your site is being indexed. Using this technique you need never to worry you will be dinged by the Search Engines as doing something untoward or evil (Remember Google's mantra is "Do No Evil" - ya right)
Lastly stop giving your inventory to 3rd party sites who are only using that to steal your front page position on Google (http://torreyrussell.blogspot.com/2010/08/3rd-party-sites-are-stealing-your-front.html )
So, stop taking those calls from companies that claim they are getting going to get you on the front page of Google, focus on a strategy to increase your links and engagement factor by using video and sharing on YouTube and stop giving your inventory to 3rd party sites that are stealing your front page on Google.
And be careful on your way to Grandmother's house... there really are big bad Wolves along the way.
