According to an article in WebProNews there is a new theory based on anecdotal evidence and the recent G-patent application that Google is sandboxing new links. According to the theory, this sandboxing of new links, or new link filter as some are calling it, dampen the value of new links pointing to a website.
What this means is that websites no longer get a link pop from building links quickly. Under this theory, reciprocal links, paid links and linking networks are being devalued since these are seen by Google as an artificial way to manipulate the search engine rankings. For the past several years, Webmasters and SEO professionals have known the value of linking schemes in order to achieve high rankings.
Google, however, has maintained that it favors “natural linking” above all else and frowns upon linking scheme to artificially manipulate rankings. Natural linking is seen as Site A wants to link to Site B because Site B has lots of valuable content that would be of interest to Site A’s visitors. Because content is still king, the websites with the most relevant content will naturally garner many incoming links.
If this Google Link Sandbox theory is true, then this should send a shiver up every SEO professional’s spine. No longer will SEO’s be able to “get in, then get out” when doing link-building for a website. Webmasters who are building large networks of interlinked websites may never see the benefits of their efforts and may see a penalty instead. Also, companies who have already appropriate funds for a large, paid linking campaign will need to rethink their strategies.
But like all Google theories, the Google link filter theory is just a theory at this point. Google, in typical Google fashion, has not commented on this theory. The theory does make sense, though. And if you’re a believer in anecdotal evidence, then you may want to take this theory seriously.
