We too have many backlinks of this nature

[DannyTweb]

And we too appear to suffer a penalty because of those backlinks.
Never paid for a link yet the penalty continues regardless
of reinclusion requests.

[Quadrille]

It's very unwise to ask for reinclusion before the problem is fixed.

It just won't happen.

But I'm not clear what the problem is. What backlinks?

Backlinks will only hurt, generally, if you are linking out to bad sites or link exchanging, or dealing with paidlinks.

Review all your OUTGOING links; drop all paidlinks, all non-related reciprocals, all links to cr*p sites, all 3-way, 4-way ... 171-way links, all link exchange scheme links.

You know how it goes. If you have a Google ban (are you sure you do?), and you want back in, then it's a very thorough spring clean, or no dice. That's the way it is.

[DannyTweb]

We have been left with no other alternative than asking for reinclusion as we have never been able to pinpoint the exact cause of the penalty.

[Quadrille]

Then why are you asking about backlinks?

Do you *know* you have a penalty?

If you do, there is absolutely 0% chance of a re inclusion without fixing the problem; nil, nada, zip. It just ain't gonna happen. Period.

You'd do better to start again, than keep knocking at a locked door.

Alternatively, if cash is at stake, you need to get professional help in identifying the problem.

Have you checked all your outgoing links?

[DannyTweb]

When one searches for unique company name in quotes and it comes up in position #xx as opposed to position #1, I am left with nothing than to believe a penalty has been assessed. We have fixed issues in the past that may have been the problem, but never have had any response from Google in any way. We have checked outgoing links and that seems to not be any factor in our case. Thanks for the thoughts.

[tedster]

When one searches for unique company name in quotes and it comes up in position #xx as opposed to position #1

- What kind of pages DO come up in the top ten? That could be a big clue. I assume these are pages that also mention the unique company name, right? Look for scrapers and proxy servers, sites that "link" to you by using a redirect of some kind, things like that.

- How does your page rank without the quotes?

- Are you seeing any other indicators that you have a penalty, such as trouble ranking for other important keywords?

[Quadrille]

Try searching for [a unique string of text from an inside page], and see how that fares.

When you see the serps for your keywords, look at the sites above and below to assess if your site is (a) being robbed or (b) simply facing tough competition.

But I'm still confused as to what YOU think is happening. Why do you think its backlinks? Is there any other part of Google guidelines that you have been 'on the edge' with?

Do you use webmaster tools?

[walkman]

Unless you fix the problem (that G sees) and apologize you might as well shut the site down as far as google is concerned. Full disclosure too. They see pretty much everything so anything short of being honest will only make it worst.

[DannyTweb]

I can't fix the problem G sees because I hae no idea what it is. We have tried fixing things that may have been questionable in the distant past and that has had no affect, and usually just creates more issues. I just faxed G a question about this...Think I will ever get an answer as they never have responded in Webamster Tools to my inquiries.

[edited by: DannyTweb at 12:33 am (utc) on Feb. 15, 2008]

[walkman]

Danny,
ask those people to remove your links. You might not have "paid" but google might see something fishy. I had to add lots of content /cool features for one site, clean up links and even said that I ask this guy to remove a link xx times but he isn't answering.

It worked. Since then, I have gotten several sitewide links with no problems (totally unsolicited and mixed with similar sites, mind you.)

They don't respond directly: you see their response, or lack of it, in the serps.

[CainIV]

You have yet to tell us anything substantial about the links.

We too have many backlinks of this nature

Without that it is pretty hard to guess what your problem is with rankings :)

[Marcia]

>>too many backlinks of this nature

Backlinks of WHAT nature? What does "this" mean? How about a little clue about what the nature of the links is?

[idolw]

yes, WHAT nature?
Can I pay you for pointing these links at my competitor?
I do not believe it is possible to get penalised for too many backlinks if your domain is not 30-days old

[walkman]

I *assumed* sitewide links from fishy sites. Maybe I am wrong, but the poster was tip-toeing around the subject :)

[CainIV]

I think we are talking amongst ourselves guys :)

[Marcia]

Maybe this (from a few months ago) is a clue to the Mystery Meat Penalty

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