Ram_Argid - 11:37 pm on Dec 6, 2003 (gmt 0)

This whole idea of linking to your competitors to drive their websites into oblivion makes me ill. However, there are more people than just the few in this thread that have claimed to successfully do this.

I refuse, personally, to resort to this, even if it would work. It's unethical in my opinion. The fact that GG says it isn't happening isn't good enough for me. I'd be willing to bet, that if I wanted to locate a few specific keyword areas I could probably get a site or two blown to kingdom come.

I recently brought up a site for a somewhat competitive two word term. Just before the update it was doing well, about number 9. It also had a few dozen links pointing to it. I then acted on a couple of hunches and, at the same time, Florida hit...this boosted it to position 4! Guess how many sites G is NOW showing linked to it... Exactly 2. Why? Dunno.

I expect that when/if more are found, this will probably lose position. On the other hand, it's not EXACTLY commerce oriented, so maybe it'll be safe.

For another site, it was ranking well. So I decided to start a link campaign. This campaign coincided with the Florida update exactly. The page was fine post-florida. Then the links got listed and whammo. The site is now (3 weeks after this started) gone!

Now, don't get the idea that I am trying to actually ratify the claims that I've seen in this thread as this is also a "small sample".

This is only what I have observed, and my gut tells me that part of the plan has to do with anchor text in links, again IMHO. However, if this is true, then at least some sites can and will be targeted by competition...tis a sad day if this is not purely fantasy.

Wait...Watch...Hope...And if in the end this fails...ADAPT!

<edit>Clarity</edit>