6 replies to this topic

[Baby_Gifts]

I have learned of a site that recently completed redesign, and their site-navigation no longer allows visitors to access their established links. The links are visible to the Search Engines, just not for visitors. SEO PR still applies.

I understand (thanks in part to Jill) the Google PR benefits derived from establishing relevant links - however from a pure SEM benefit, one cannot get any pass through traffic if one is not a VISIBLE link.

The redesigned site in question is benefiting from established visible links on many other linking partners whom I believe are totally unaware of this "new" situation.

This seems to me to be a most unethical situation, a form of SE SPAM...any thoughts? Constructive comments welcome.

[dragonlady7]

anything that's hidden is pretty straightforwardly spam, as far as i've ever heard.

i can't think of a reason why that wouldn't be spam.

[Bernard]

If you are one of their link partners, contact them and ask them why your link is now invisible.

If not, don't worry about it. It's none of your business and they will eventually receive their karmic justice either from SPAM filters finding invisible links (and penalizing them) or thier "link partners" finding out they are being shafted (and dropping them).

[Baby_Gifts]

If not, don't worry about it. It's none of your business and they will eventually receive their karmic justice either from SPAM filters finding invisible links (and penalizing them) or thier "link partners" finding out they are being shafted (and dropping them).

Actually, I thnk its everyone's business to safeguard the ethical practices of the internet, especially when such questionable practices appear to be designed to deceive. Consequently, I respectfully disagree with your caustic reply.

[Bernard]

I'm sorry if my post appeared caustic. Much to my father's chagrin, I am not a French diplomat.

I don't believe that contacting this site's "link partners" to stir the pot is necessarily a wise move for you, but you must do what you feel is right.

It certainly would not hurt to report pages with invisible links to the search engines through their SPAM reporting mechanisms, but I think they will choose to deal with this algorithmically rather than human intervention. So, they will catch it whether you report them or not IMO.

[Jill]

Welcome, BabyGifts!

Could you explain a bit more what you mean by their links are seen by the spiders but not by the humans? (I think that's what you're saying.)

I don't quite understand the situation. Not sure why a site would hide links from humans, but make them visible to spiders. Except I've seen it where some sites hide a sitemap that simply points to doorway pages. Is that what you mean?

Jill

[Baby_Gifts]

Jill

I sent you an email with more "sensitive" details.



I do not want to accuse another site-owner of improper tactics if it is a matter of my technical ignorance. Without sounding arrogant, I think I have learned enough to recognize a foul...appreciate your review and comment.