The March 2024 updates sent shockwaves through the SEO community, significantly impacting the search engine results pages (SERPs). Google’s algorithm changes led to manual actions, resulting in the deindexing of numerous websites. As a response, Google announced plans to eliminate 40% of low-quality, unoriginal content, signaling a paradigm shift in SERPs dynamics. Amidst this upheaval, the significance of manual link building has surged, becoming more crucial than ever before.
The Relevance of Manual Link Building
In a Search Off the Record podcast episode, Gary Illyes emphasized the importance of natural backlinks for search engine discovery. Manual link building, which involves strategic outreach efforts, content creation, and relationship building, stands out as a pivotal strategy in this landscape. Unlike automated or spammy tactics, manual link building prioritizes the acquisition of high-quality, relevant links from authoritative sources, crucial for SERP visibility in the aftermath of the 2024 updates.
The Pitfalls of Cheap/Paid Links
Engaging in buying links, a spammy practice, violates Google’s guidelines and risks penalties. Google’s algorithm discerns relevance through a website’s backlink profile, penalizing manipulative link acquisition methods. Cheap links not only risk devaluation by Google’s SpamBrain AI but also lead users to irrelevant or low-quality content, tarnishing user experience (UX). In contrast, prioritizing quality backlinks ensures sustained visibility and credibility in SERPs, benefiting digital marketing services by enhancing their effectiveness.
The Recipe for Manual Link Building
1. Relevance, Relevance, Relevance
- Relevant links signal authority within a niche, driving targeted traffic and enhancing user experience.
- Establishing partnerships with authoritative sources through relevant backlinks supports long-term SEO strategies.
2. Helpful, Original Content
- Original content provides value, fosters engagement, and builds trust and credibility.
- Deep topical understanding distinguishes content in an era inundated with automated tools, emphasizing the importance of manual content creation.
3. A Dash of Strategy
- Clear objectives, target audience identification, competitive analysis, and content planning lay the foundation for successful link building campaigns.
- Relationship building and diversification of link sources mitigate risks and optimize link building efforts.
Digital PR: The Next Frontier
Amidst intensifying competition for high-quality backlinks, digital PR emerges as a promising avenue for manual link building. By forging relationships with industry stakeholders and leveraging strategic content, brands can secure valuable backlinks and enhance visibility and credibility in SERPs.
Wrap Up
In the ever-evolving landscape of SEO, manual link building remains a cornerstone strategy for achieving sustainable SERP visibility and driving targeted traffic. By adhering to foundational practices and embracing emerging tactics like digital PR, websites can navigate the challenges posed by algorithm updates and establish themselves as authoritative voices within their respective niches.