This video is pretty weird, because it gives the criteria "Google" looks for when assessing whether or not a link is 'paid', but it doesn't give us the slightest inkling as to HOW they begin to make these assessments. Am I missing something? How would Google know if money changed hands? I'm not buying any links, but I'm really curious how this works
Obviously, it would be unwise for them to let you and everyone else know "how it works". But I am guessing it would mostly be started-off by someone reporting you for engaging in a paid link act, then they'll probably examine the link, check your site's history and other stuff. I'm just guessing here. Google have way more experience than I do, plus access to tons of data that most of us cannot dream of. So....
It seems like Matt was trying to phrase it in a VERY CAREFUL manner so that he won't accidentally imply that Adwords is also a kind of "paid link" service. ^^
This doesn't really make sense to me. You spend the whole video just saying "if you pay for a link, it's a paid link", but you don't have some magic crystal ball that tells you when someone pays for a link. If I pay site A to link to me, how can you even know that I paid them?
Hey Matt - what about links achieved by donating a product to a website/charity/organization in return for just a link back (and it's not so they review the product)? The donated product does not go to the sites owner specifically. They use the product in charity raffles/auctions they host or other online competitions as the 'major prize'. The websites are relevant to our demographic, and the product would add value to any of the users of that website, if they were to win the competition, or buy it in the charity auction.
Hi we have been asked to sponsor a conference for the professional body in our domain, thus includes a logo on the conference stand etc but also a link from the professional body website. Is this a paid link?
Would be very interested to hear what how the filter for paid sites views membership sites such as chambers and the BBBs. These type of sites post links as well as advertorials that are basically paid for with membership dues. Is the writing already on the wall?
Our IT Department guys buy links and clicks for us on various websites via so called Adswords website, but they told me these are "don't follow" links. Hope it's fine.
I'm still a little confused (apologies). What about a product review for protein-powder, were you actually consume it, so can't really just 'loan' the product? Thanks
What does my compensation have anything to do with Google? I sell your spam Adwords for 25% of a clients monthly budget. Should we ban that too? Only when it cuts into Google's profit it's bad!!!!
I was wondering if this video is still valid now a year later. I see a number of sites which accept "reviews" of things like restaurants, hotels, etc from "members" located at the top of the G search rankings. BUT I've also been seeing a lot of solicitations from "SEO"s on certain pay for action websites (one run by G's 2nd competitor) that literally will PAY individuals (anywhere from $1-5) to open accounts on these sites and write a favorable review, is some cases including a link, about a particular location or service. Is this not the same as payment (albeit distributed payments) for reviews and ranking on these highly SE-ranked sites?
This closes on such a frustrating note. Matt intimates that there is a difference between "here's a product because we want you to try it out" and "here's a product because we want you to write about it." Isn't that a distinction without a difference? I grew up in the bicycle business. We imported shoes from Italy and a review in a magazine was important. We sent the magazine a pair of shoes to "try them out" but obviously we wanted them to "write about them." Isn't this a legitimate activity? Why is it different online? Answer: It's not! I would agree if you were paying for a favorable review, but even if you're not, even if you're confident that your product will be greeted favorably and you're willing to take what comes, still... You obviously want them to "write about it." Geez. This is like deciphering the White House.
If I have a website with business directory and I charge for premium listings or even for basic listings with links to their websites. is that mean I am violating google policy ?
Hi Matt, I am former PokerStars SEO manager. PokerStars has been buying links to manipulate SERPs, I have reported several paid links, but Google web spam report tool does not have bulk report option. Please let me know how I can report thousands of paid links. Regards, Serge
Matt Cutts says that Google uses to the same approach to determine what constitutes improper "paid links" as the FTC takes in determining "compensation." With April approaching, the IRS also takes a similar approach to compensation for tax reporting purposes.
i am still confused, why he isn't telling us straight away about paid links. Coz i don't think google bot could scan my paypall or yours or anyone's! I don't think google could track my conversation on any forum or social media about seo link deal. I believe googel only match relevance so we still have a chance to target other bloggers from our niche to get uni-directional link.
All big companies have paid ads with links, obviously money is changing hands, they should do something about that if they really don't want paid links.
It is good to have this explanation but when a deal is done between a site owner and a blogger/journalist etc and not disclosed how do Google know? They don't unless they hack the email accounts of the two individuals and put 2 and 2 together. When reading reviews of products/services or write ups on blogs it is usually pretty obvious - i.e. if the review is whiter than white with no criticisms at all then it comes across as potentially a paid review. But Google cannot understand this without human moderation from the web spam team and even then they would be making a guess, and it would probably not be fair to penalise based upon an educated guess.
They don't, and yes, they don't really know. When it first came out, we challenged an SEO team and Google to identify the paid links on a page. They could not, and Google declined the challenge. It is our belief (at Safenetting.com) that those decisions are based on metrics of the links in relation to Google's paid advertisers and the AdSense "pull" sites that may be degraded by linkbacks. This is really the only data Google has to analyze for penalizing the links or not. After all, if the links are on topic and relate directly to the content, how would they know? Okay, if the link is way off topic, then maybe they 'suspect' it's paid. Many believe It has nothing to do with the sites or whether or not the links are paid. It's all about optimizing Google's AdSense advertisers' traffic and link-ins. (Of course that's only our theory) Nobody knows, and nobody will ever know. Matt (above) is talking the corporate talking points -- it's probably rehearsed, he uses the exact same wording in many situations between his various videos, as if reading from a prompter or reciting memorized scripts. Do you believe everything you read or see on the internet? Google refuses spam reports -- not SEO witch-hunts, but authentic, validated spam reports. (We've tried several hundred times, and always received the alarm "Google refuses these reports") Now, on the other hand, go to some of Google's top ranking sites -- the ones that ALWAYS come up in the searches. Notice how ALL the off-topic links on those sites are Google links. Now ask yourself which Google likes best : a) sites that have only Google advertising links, or b) sites that have all kinds of direct links? Hello? But never expect for a moment that the real truth will ever be known to the general public. Even Mat Cutts probably doesn't even know the real truth, beyond what he's been told to say . . . no matter what he says.
I would really like to know how you go about gathering your information!!? How could you possibly know if I give someone a pizza, gift card, or anything?? It seems like that would be hard to find that information... unless someone is illegally monitoring our private correspondence..
Splitting hairs: We use a free cms on a website which includes a backlink to the cms programmers. We have to pay to legally remove that backlink, so in theory that backlink is paid for by the cms programmers and we should hence be penalized for providing a paid link on all our pages. Similar, the programs and templates for CMS which require payment for removing backlinks should get a penalty for all those thousands of links to their sites.
how do you know that a link is paid, it's not like you are reading people's mind? of course you can see advertisement on forum's or websites for people who will write articles for money? but what about these who does not advertise, and only work with physical engagement? and more importantly, what will happen if someone decide to spam my website, how do you know that i didn't pay for the link, and i'am just a victim?
+Alaa Khassa depends on the context really. But if it says sponsored links, it's like say maybe you have an advertising block on your site, the user should clearly tell it is a advertisement. If it doesn't display it, would require more of a indepth review. (Not 100% certain but I'm fairly sure this is how they would think)
Matt Cutts shares how the Web Spam team evaluates whether a link is paid or not - What is the value of the gift, product, or service? - How close is the gift, product, or service to actual money? - Is it an outright gift or a loan? - Who is the intended audience? - Is the intent of the gift to get links? - Would the gift be a surprise to third party?
Common sense from Matt Cutts . Don't be stupid, underhanded, or dishonest when getting your links. That's fairly clear. What's not so clear is how Google delves into the private relationships and communications between two parties to discover the nature and compensation arrangements therein. Care to shed a bit of light on THAT for us???
Yahoo charges for inclusion in their directory, as does Business.com, BOTW.org etc. How can these sites and directories be so well regarded (very high PR) if they are clearly involved in selling links?
So how does google differentiate between links that have been put there without the webmasters knowledge? We get idiots and scrapers linking to us all the time and have to spend ages "policing" our links. Google why the hell did you have to cause all these problems? Everyone used to love google, now I'm not so sure.....
Wow, great video. I totally agree! Online Ethics from Matt Cutts. Paid links are well.... Paid Links. I wish he would have gone more into the directory thing and Alexa Rank.
Sorry, but does not really explain what a paid link is. How would google spam team know if a link on a site is created via a loan or gift. How would they know if money has changed hands? Really muddy waters here.
Wow, they must have some pretty sneaky techniques to be able to say, "This link here was only placed on this site because the owner of the site received a camera last month which he didn't return to this guy over here, so it therefore mustn't be a gift, therefore let's not give the other guy that page rank guys, OK? Look at him open that pesky camera gift!" Whatever you are doing, Google will search you out and find you...
Une vidéo qui méritait d'être faite, même si on voit que la limite entre un lien acheté et un test de produit reste floue. On en parlait hier marc sessa :)
I heard no one is even working for the Yahoo Directory anymore and credit cards on file are being automatically charged. Also if you pay once and cancel the card, you have a lifetime link for that one time cost. We've never used the Yahoo Directory though, as there are a lot better ways to spend your money!
There must be a ton of mommy bloggers out there really squirming after seeing this. That's if they are paying attention at all. Those sponsored post type sites should be quaking in their boots as well. Thanks for the explanation Matt Cutts
Matt Cutts thanks for the video, its a nice way to explain how not to be a skeez ball it to my clients in simple terms. Soon as I mention FTC they be all like 'ok ok i dont wanna end up on American Greed' lol. Seriously though it needed to be said, basically we need to be ethical to support the longevity of the ecosystem, not just because someone may be watching us. Not to sound corny but i really try to do things that will help my sons generation have a robust, clean internet to work in and use. If marketers use that filter of: 'is what i'm about to do going to make the web better or crappier?' then Google wouldn;t have to react so harshly to honest mistakes and/or ignorance. Unfortunately, corruption and deceit are profitable characteristics that are likely here to stay so I'm all for clearing out the trash by whatever means necessary. One more thing...Maybe theres something i dont know but really now.... how on (Google) Earth is the Spam Team gonna know how many courses my meal was?! Are y'all watching me right now??
ah but if, like Google, I "loan" NASA an Alpha jet in return for govt discounted fuel for my private jet fleet then that is ok....well until someone finds out.
No worry it is about a real links, i agree that paying of a link it self is not good that you cannot learn, but if that links has a value that teaching us paying for developing and the money not kept by one person for his own benifits for me i guess is not wasted or scam. lots of there thousand and real scam.
The only legit way i can think is that maybe they send fake proposals for advertising to sites that they suspect that are selling links.
How would google know if I bought them a pizza or a 18 course dinner? O_O
This video is pretty weird, because it gives the criteria "Google" looks for when assessing whether or not a link is 'paid', but it doesn't give us the slightest inkling as to HOW they begin to make these assessments. Am I missing something? How would Google know if money changed hands? I'm not buying any links, but I'm really curious how this works
Obviously, it would be unwise for them to let you and everyone else know "how it works".
But I am guessing it would mostly be started-off by someone reporting you for engaging in a paid link act, then they'll probably examine the link, check your site's history and other stuff.
I'm just guessing here. Google have way more experience than I do, plus access to tons of data that most of us cannot dream of. So....
Sp basically what you are saying is that if my competitors pay for links on my behalf, my site will be kicked from the index. Thats very scary.
It seems like Matt was trying to phrase it in a VERY CAREFUL manner so that he won't accidentally imply that Adwords is also a kind of "paid link" service. ^^
This doesn't really make sense to me. You spend the whole video just saying "if you pay for a link, it's a paid link", but you don't have some magic crystal ball that tells you when someone pays for a link. If I pay site A to link to me, how can you even know that I paid them?
Matt Cutts But, how do Google knows the intent of the link?
mind if I asked you when might be the next PR update?
Hey Matt - what about links achieved by donating a product to a website/charity/organization in return for just a link back (and it's not so they review the product)? The donated product does not go to the sites owner specifically. They use the product in charity raffles/auctions they host or other online competitions as the 'major prize'. The websites are relevant to our demographic, and the product would add value to any of the users of that website, if they were to win the competition, or buy it in the charity auction.
Hi we have been asked to sponsor a conference for the professional body in our domain, thus includes a logo on the conference stand etc but also a link from the professional body website. Is this a paid link?
Would be very interested to hear what how the filter for paid sites views membership sites such as chambers and the BBBs. These type of sites post links as well as advertorials that are basically paid for with membership dues. Is the writing already on the wall?
Our IT Department guys buy links and clicks for us on various websites via so called Adswords website, but they told me these are "don't follow" links. Hope it's fine.
Interesting post. +Matt Cutts makes it crystal clear what a "paid link is" I recommend a view of this video.
I'm still a little confused (apologies). What about a product review for protein-powder, were you actually consume it, so can't really just 'loan' the product? Thanks
What does my compensation have anything to do with Google? I sell your spam Adwords for 25% of a clients monthly budget. Should we ban that too? Only when it cuts into Google's profit it's bad!!!!
I was wondering if this video is still valid now a year later. I see a number of sites which accept "reviews" of things like restaurants, hotels, etc from "members" located at the top of the G search rankings. BUT I've also been seeing a lot of solicitations from "SEO"s on certain pay for action websites (one run by G's 2nd competitor) that literally will PAY individuals (anywhere from $1-5) to open accounts on these sites and write a favorable review, is some cases including a link, about a particular location or service. Is this not the same as payment (albeit distributed payments) for reviews and ranking on these highly SE-ranked sites?
Matt Cutts What about new sites ? if you didn't get links to your website it will not appear on the search .
This closes on such a frustrating note. Matt intimates that there is a difference between "here's a product because we want you to try it out" and "here's a product because we want you to write about it." Isn't that a distinction without a difference? I grew up in the bicycle business. We imported shoes from Italy and a review in a magazine was important. We sent the magazine a pair of shoes to "try them out" but obviously we wanted them to "write about them." Isn't this a legitimate activity? Why is it different online? Answer: It's not! I would agree if you were paying for a favorable review, but even if you're not, even if you're confident that your product will be greeted favorably and you're willing to take what comes, still...
You obviously want them to "write about it." Geez. This is like deciphering the White House.
If I have a website with business directory and I charge for premium listings or even for basic listings with links to their websites. is that mean I am violating google policy ?
How would Google know, what kind of items are received and given? Between Beer and actual cash?
Hi Matt,
I am former PokerStars SEO manager.
PokerStars has been buying links to manipulate SERPs, I have reported several paid links, but Google web spam report tool does not have bulk report option. Please let me know how I can report thousands of paid links.
Regards,
Serge
Matt Cutts says that Google uses to the same approach to determine what constitutes improper "paid links" as the FTC takes in determining "compensation." With April approaching, the IRS also takes a similar approach to compensation for tax reporting purposes.
Thank you, you just got me a potential thesis topic. Now just need to dig more into this.
Nice one! I am sure that many webmasters appreciate this video
This did not answer my real question. How does Google know if I got paid? Do they assume someone is getting paid and penalize accordingly?
... What about social media managers? They get links from social sites which hopefully finds more links from others.
How the hell would Google knpw if somebody invited somebody else to a Beer & a Pizza?
Don't ask questions you don't want the answer to buddy
So are links in directories such as Yell.com 'paid links'?
Where can I buy that shirt?
i am still confused, why he isn't telling us straight away about paid links. Coz i don't think google bot could scan my paypall or yours or anyone's! I don't think google could track my conversation on any forum or social media about seo link deal. I believe googel only match relevance so we still have a chance to target other bloggers from our niche to get uni-directional link.
Yes I'm curious about the handling of said "paid links" rather than the definition. As you mention we know that meaning. GaryTheScubaGuy
All big companies have paid ads with links, obviously money is changing hands, they should do something about that if they really don't want paid links.
It is good to have this explanation but when a deal is done between a site owner and a blogger/journalist etc and not disclosed how do Google know? They don't unless they hack the email accounts of the two individuals and put 2 and 2 together.
When reading reviews of products/services or write ups on blogs it is usually pretty obvious - i.e. if the review is whiter than white with no criticisms at all then it comes across as potentially a paid review. But Google cannot understand this without human moderation from the web spam team and even then they would be making a guess, and it would probably not be fair to penalise based upon an educated guess.
Thanks Matt Cutts and also thanks to Joel Chudleigh for clear explanation about this video.
They don't, and yes, they don't really know. When it first came out, we challenged an SEO team and Google to identify the paid links on a page. They could not, and Google declined the challenge. It is our belief (at Safenetting.com) that those decisions are based on metrics of the links in relation to Google's paid advertisers and the AdSense "pull" sites that may be degraded by linkbacks. This is really the only data Google has to analyze for penalizing the links or not. After all, if the links are on topic and relate directly to the content, how would they know? Okay, if the link is way off topic, then maybe they 'suspect' it's paid. Many believe It has nothing to do with the sites or whether or not the links are paid. It's all about optimizing Google's AdSense advertisers' traffic and link-ins. (Of course that's only our theory) Nobody knows, and nobody will ever know. Matt (above) is talking the corporate talking points -- it's probably rehearsed, he uses the exact same wording in many situations between his various videos, as if reading from a prompter or reciting memorized scripts. Do you believe everything you read or see on the internet? Google refuses spam reports -- not SEO witch-hunts, but authentic, validated spam reports. (We've tried several hundred times, and always received the alarm "Google refuses these reports") Now, on the other hand, go to some of Google's top ranking sites -- the ones that ALWAYS come up in the searches. Notice how ALL the off-topic links on those sites are Google links. Now ask yourself which Google likes best : a) sites that have only Google advertising links, or b) sites that have all kinds of direct links? Hello? But never expect for a moment that the real truth will ever be known to the general public. Even Mat Cutts probably doesn't even know the real truth, beyond what he's been told to say . . . no matter what he says.
I can already see a lot of t-shirts being sent from now on :D
I would really like to know how you go about gathering your information!!? How could you possibly know if I give someone a pizza, gift card, or anything?? It seems like that would be hard to find that information... unless someone is illegally monitoring our private correspondence..
Splitting hairs: We use a free cms on a website which includes a backlink to the cms programmers.
We have to pay to legally remove that backlink, so in theory that backlink is paid for by the cms programmers and we should hence be penalized for providing a paid link on all our pages.
Similar, the programs and templates for CMS which require payment for removing backlinks should get a penalty for all those thousands of links to their sites.
how do you know that a link is paid, it's not like you are reading people's mind? of course you can see advertisement on forum's or websites for people who will write articles for money? but what about these who does not advertise, and only work with physical engagement? and more importantly, what will happen if someone decide to spam my website, how do you know that i didn't pay for the link, and i'am just a victim?
How do you know all these things? If i give someone a car for free vor just for the vacation.
so, how about "Sponsored Links"
They're trying to monetize their site through "sponsors".
is that considered as a "paid link" ??
+Alaa Khassa depends on the context really. But if it says sponsored links, it's like say maybe you have an advertising block on your site, the user should clearly tell it is a advertisement. If it doesn't display it, would require more of a indepth review. (Not 100% certain but I'm fairly sure this is how they would think)
Matt Cutts shares how the Web Spam team evaluates whether a link is paid or not
- What is the value of the gift, product, or service?
- How close is the gift, product, or service to actual money?
- Is it an outright gift or a loan?
- Who is the intended audience?
- Is the intent of the gift to get links?
- Would the gift be a surprise to third party?
Alright, but what is a scraper?
Thank you very much Google Webmaster , As i continue learning To continue to amazed me
¿tienen este video en idioma español? estoy interesada
I noticed your shirt says "Report Spam" . . . but Google refuses spam reports ??? Were you aware of that?
Common sense from Matt Cutts . Don't be stupid, underhanded, or dishonest when getting your links. That's fairly clear. What's not so clear is how Google delves into the private relationships and communications between two parties to discover the nature and compensation arrangements therein. Care to shed a bit of light on THAT for us???
It reads your emails and sms messages :D
Yahoo charges for inclusion in their directory, as does Business.com, BOTW.org etc. How can these sites and directories be so well regarded (very high PR) if they are clearly involved in selling links?
I feel its an important issue, any thoughts?
Enlaces de pago, cuáles son y cómo evitarlos
So how does google differentiate between links that have been put there without the webmasters knowledge? We get idiots and scrapers linking to us all the time and have to spend ages "policing" our links. Google why the hell did you have to cause all these problems? Everyone used to love google, now I'm not so sure.....
Wow, great video. I totally agree! Online Ethics from Matt Cutts. Paid links are well.... Paid Links. I wish he would have gone more into the directory thing and Alexa Rank.
Sorry, but does not really explain what a paid link is. How would google spam team know if a link on a site is created via a loan or gift. How would they know if money has changed hands? Really muddy waters here.
#SEO #linkbuilding What is a "paid link"?
Wow, they must have some pretty sneaky techniques to be able to say, "This link here was only placed on this site because the owner of the site received a camera last month which he didn't return to this guy over here, so it therefore mustn't be a gift, therefore let's not give the other guy that page rank guys, OK? Look at him open that pesky camera gift!" Whatever you are doing, Google will search you out and find you...
Une vidéo qui méritait d'être faite, même si on voit que la limite entre un lien acheté et un test de produit reste floue. On en parlait hier marc sessa :)
What is a "paid link"?
i did get all of it, CONTRARIWISE
So I should ask Yahoo Directory for my money back?
Ha! If you paid Yahoo Directory for anything, you should definitely ask to get your money back!
I heard no one is even working for the Yahoo Directory anymore and credit cards on file are being automatically charged. Also if you pay once and cancel the card, you have a lifetime link for that one time cost. We've never used the Yahoo Directory though, as there are a lot better ways to spend your money!
There must be a ton of mommy bloggers out there really squirming after seeing this. That's if they are paying attention at all.
Those sponsored post type sites should be quaking in their boots as well.
Thanks for the explanation Matt Cutts
After watching Matt's video, I'm wondering?.. Google AdWords sent me around $ 600 in coupons...mhh, are they just looking for a backlink?....
Matt i see that you have a dropped pin in FEz. That should be in Morocco.
I clicked on your T-Shirt. I was dump. Sorry Matt Cutts
Matt Cutts thanks for the video, its a nice way to explain how not to be a skeez ball it to my clients in simple terms. Soon as I mention FTC they be all like 'ok ok i dont wanna end up on American Greed' lol.
Seriously though it needed to be said, basically we need to be ethical to support the longevity of the ecosystem, not just because someone may be watching us. Not to sound corny but i really try to do things that will help my sons generation have a robust, clean internet to work in and use. If marketers use that filter of: 'is what i'm about to do going to make the web better or crappier?' then Google wouldn;t have to react so harshly to honest mistakes and/or ignorance. Unfortunately, corruption and deceit are profitable characteristics that are likely here to stay so I'm all for clearing out the trash by whatever means necessary.
One more thing...Maybe theres something i dont know but really now.... how on (Google) Earth is the Spam Team gonna know how many courses my meal was?! Are y'all watching me right now??
ah but if, like Google, I "loan" NASA an Alpha jet in return for govt discounted fuel for my private jet fleet then that is ok....well until someone finds out.
*What is a "paid link" and when does a gift become a paid link?* Matt Cutts explains in a good way.
#SEO #paidlinks
This is complete BS ... do people "buy" their links when they participate in PPC?
Google doesn't make the internet rules people!
#DontExploitPeople'sTrust #Don'tBeEvil #Google
Simple just care about your site content and your Visitors . don't waste time on SEO.
people know you well.
No worry it is about a real links, i agree that paying of a link it self is not good that you cannot learn, but if that links has a value that teaching us paying for developing and the money not kept by one person for his own benifits for me i guess is not wasted or scam. lots of there thousand and real scam.