Affiliate Review Sites Struck by Google Slap
THE WORLD OF AFFILIATE REVIEW SITES was reeling after experiencing yet another GOOGLE SLAP earlier this week. Emails, tweets and blog posts sprung up all over the Internet while some affiliate review sites watched their page rankings plummet overnight. In some cases, page rankings nose dived from a PR 10 to a ranking of PR 1.
Once again, Google has changed the rules wherein they will no longer tolerate affiliate review sites that in their opinion do not provide sufficient content to readers.
According to Perry Marshall, author of the Definitive Guide to Google Adwords: “Google is on a mission to stamp out the “me-too rug-merchants” of the affiliate world.”
There is no doubt that this latest Google slap will make the area of affiliate marketing a much tougher one to negotiate. Google’s intent is to use their power on the Internet to weed out the many review sites that continue to spring up from marketers who have never used the product they promote.
It would appear at first glance that affiliate review sites using cloaked links have not been hit as openly by the Google Slap as those who do not use cloaked links. However, there is at least one instance reported by IMOverdrive.com where a review site using cloaking was penalized. Do not rely on cloaking alone to protect your page ranking.
In all cases those running affiliate review sites are being encouraged (dare I say forced) to look beyond the ‘slap it up’ approach and provide content of value for Google’s readers if they want to gain or regain page ranking by Google.
For many this may mean going back to the drawing board, so to speak, and relearning their marketing trade. As an avid follower of Perry Marshall’s training, I recommend picking up the Definitive Guide to Google Adwords and reading it from cover to cover to help you move your business in the right direction. Those running affiliate review sites, particularly ones who have received the Google slap, will benefit from the insights provided by this and the ongoing, up-to-date content Perry Marshall provides.
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To Your Success,
SherryD
http://www.wbobr.com
Hi Sherry,
This is an excellent article. Thank you for keeping people updated on the Google powerhouse. I do see in a way where Google is coming from by wanting to give their users a listing of quality websites. I believe that sooner or later everyone will have to provide quality content in order to be recognized by them.
I also have purchased and read the Defenitive Guide to Google Adwords. I highly recommend it, especially to those just starting out online. It contains a wealth of information and is well worth the money not to mention the time and effort through trial and error that it can save you in the end.
Keep up the good work!
Chris
Thank you Chris, Google been a challenge for many marketers. I don’t see the new deal between Yahoo and Bing bringing us any joy either.
I am a strong believer in finding good mentors to emulate. Mentors, like Perry Marshall, who will tell it like it is.
I agree guys! I won’t say much about Google’s new change of rules but I feel that all marketers should atleast try the product they are promoting, we don’t do it often and I think the quality of the content matters as well just what Chris said, I will have to take a look of those review sites which have been hit by this slap and those which haven’t been hit hard then only we can find out the reasons.
Wait, why did their page ranks go down? I didn’t get that.
Well yes, people shouldn’t be ranking high for themes they aren’t even targeting. That wouldn’t make much sense.
I’ve been wondering myself what the next step for the big G is. They certainly always seem to have an agenda.