Post Florida Linking Strategy

linking and anchor text

[guynouk]

Any thoughts on what is safe and what isn't safe when it comes to linking/anchor text with regard to Google.

[Elijah]

Have you seen this thread?
What should be new linking strategy after florida? [webmasterworld.com]

[trillianjedi]

Only google can answer that, but if you want to play it safe:-

Keep links and anchor text *natural* and from (and to) on-topic sites (per page basis) only.

In other words, if it's good for your users and makes perfect sense, then it's probably ok with google (think of it from their point of view).

If it's linking to try and SEO score a particular off topic keyword, or "carpet bomb" a particular phrase or otherwise manipulate the SERPS, it's probably not ok with google.

Where the line is drawn between the two white hat and black hat options is anyones guess. This algo is too fresh to be able to tell.

If you need to go grey hat, I would mix it up as much as possible, don't concentrate too much on one phrase in anchor text, or on one page of your site. Go for multiple variations in the anchor text and to multiple pages on your site.

TJ

[Mike12345]

I wouldnt change anything yet, some are still seeing fluctuations. IMHO it would be unwise to make any major changes to your site and its linking structure until you have established a clear definition of what has changed and why in your area of the market.

If you are wondering what you can be doing in the mean time, perhaps you could create some more on topic and relevant content instead. That can only help you out.

[trillianjedi]

Mike12345 is absolutely correct of course.

I was assuming the question to be more "what's safe and what isn't" in respect of a new site starting out, not changing an existing site.

TJ

[guynouk]

Thanks for the advice. We've always applied a non-reciprocal, multi-variable link text strategy for our sites but have decided to remove the anchor text for now and use the basic URL - safer I think.