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I disagree this is no longer true. Google is filtering out sites with quality content. It seems better to build a directory style site, which looks non-commercial. PR is still very important where as page text might be less important. The de-op theory is bogus so don't waste your time trying to reduce keyword density. Instead look for sites to get links, look for sites in your industry to link to and make sure they are not the same sites.
I figure they will have as much chance as any.
I'll report back with the results.
Any suggestions for making the sites truly awful will be gratefully received :)
I disagree this is no longer true. Google is filtering out sites with quality content. It seems better to build a directory style site
And the directory style sites will link to ... sites with quality content, perhaps ;)
I'm with ncw164x on this. Brett's post is still relevant. The bottom line is that if Google doesn't return quality results on a consistent basis, users will start using a search engine that does. So if results are genuinely of a poor quality, Google will be working on this.
It's also worth noting that not all sites with quality content are gone ... looks to me like Google are just testing various filters in different subject areas.
I have a number of sites whose traffic hasn't dropped significantly, but it has changed. If content had been more limited on these sites, they probably would have suffered more than they did.
The main site is called: hairy-blue-widget.org, and will have
a) keywords mentioned once
b) one big link to my MIA decent and worthy site
c) several on topic outbounds
d) assorted worthy links to a few .edu
e) a load of hidden & totally off-topic outbounds and absurd random words and phrases.
f) a total word count of around 100 - the majority as link text
g) all references to buying / shopping etc. will be graphics unreadable by Googlebot.
I'll point to it from an authority site with strong links from Harvard University that should give it a PR of around 4/5 and see how it cooks in the 'new-improved' Google.
(I've never spammed before, it will keep me amused while my business folds ;) When the experiment is over I will, of course, take it down.)
After a team-talk we've decided that random words will no longer be exclusively used. We'll use a spattering of them, but also include words and synonyms that reflect the content of the inbound-linking authority site. We'll also add a small number of outbound links to authority sites that reflect the content of the incoming link sites.