Unaware of the havoc unnatural links can wreak? Well, here is the bad news, these SEO troublemakers can lead to penalties, rank drops, and a serious traffic slump!
So, what’s the deal with unnatural links? They break all the search engine rules, designed to trick rankings instead of adding real value. Not cool, right?
Fixing the unnatural link mess isn’t as tough as it sounds! It just takes a smart strategy to solve unnatural links, spot, remove, or tame those harmful links, while building a solid, ethical backlink profile that Google will love.
Don’t worry, we got your back! We’ve got a full guide to help you tackle unnatural links, clean up your backlink game, and keep your SEO on point for the long haul.
1. Identify Unnatural Links in Your Backlink Profile
The first step to solving unnatural links is identifying them in your website’s backlink profile. Search engines penalize sites with manipulative links, so a thorough audit is essential.
- How to Identify Unnatural Links
To solve unnatural links, start by looking for links from irrelevant or low-quality websites. Pay attention to over-optimized anchor text, especially if it repeatedly uses exact-match keywords.
You should also watch out for backlinks from spammy directories, forums, or comment sections, as well as links from private blog networks (PBNs) or sites that don’t seem relevant to your niche.
- Tools for Backlink Analysis
You can analyze your backlinks using several helpful tools! Google Search Console provides a “Links” report where you can download a list of sites linking to your domain.
Ahrefs and SEMrush are great for assessing the quality and relevance of referring domains, as well as anchor text distribution. Moz Link Explorer helps you check the domain authority of referring sites, allowing you to identify any low-quality links.
These tools are essential for maintaining a clean and healthy backlink profile.
2. Disavow Harmful Links
If you cannot remove unnatural links manually, use Google’s Disavow Tool to tell search engines to ignore these links. This is a critical step in mitigating the impact of harmful backlinks.
- When to Use the Disavow Tool
You should use the disavow tool when a link comes from a spammy or irrelevant website, or if the site owner does not respond to your removal requests.
It’s also useful for links embedded in PBNs, link farms, or automated systems. The disavow tool allows you to tell Google to ignore these harmful links, helping to protect your site’s SEO performance.
- How to Create a Disavow File
To create a disavow file, start by compiling a list of unnatural backlinks in a .txt file. Each domain or URL should be listed on a separate line.
Once your list is ready, submit the file through Google’s Disavow Tool in Search Console to let Google know which links to ignore.
3. Request Link Removals
Where possible, reach out to the webmasters of sites hosting unnatural links and request removal. This step demonstrates to search engines your commitment to maintaining a clean backlink profile and helps solve unnatural links effectively.
- How to Request Link Removal
To request link removal, start by identifying the contact information of the site owner or webmaster.
Then, send a polite and professional email explaining why you’d like the link removed. Be sure to keep track of any responses so you can follow up if necessary.
4. Strengthen Your Backlink Profile with High-Quality Links
Fixing unnatural links is only half the battle! To truly solve unnatural links, you must also rebuild your backlink profile with ethical and high-quality links.
- Focus on Earning Natural Links
Focus on earning natural links by creating valuable, shareable content such as guides, infographics, and industry reports.
Building relationships with authoritative websites in your niche can help you gain organic mentions, while guest blogging opportunities allow you to earn editorial backlinks.
- Diverse Anchor Text Strategy
For a diverse anchor text strategy, use a mix of branded terms, natural phrases, and long-tail keywords. Avoid over-optimized anchor text, as it can attract search engine scrutiny and harm your SEO efforts.
Also Read: The Correct and Easiest Way to Implement the X-Robots-Tag in Your SEO Plan!
5. Conduct Regular Backlink Audits
Unnatural links can accumulate over time, even if you’re not actively engaging in manipulative practices. Regular audits help you identify and address issues before they escalate.
- Audit Frequency
For larger websites, conduct backlink audits quarterly or biannually. For smaller sites or low-risk niches, an annual audit is usually sufficient.
- What to Look For
Keep an eye out for sudden spikes in backlinks, which may signal negative SEO attacks. Also, be alert to new links from suspicious domains or irrelevant websites, as they could be harmful to your site’s SEO.
6. Respond to Google Penalties
If your site has already been penalized for unnatural links, it’s crucial to take immediate action to regain trust and recover rankings.
- Manual Penalty Response
If your site has been hit with a manual penalty, begin by removing or disavowing the problematic links identified in Google Search Console.
After that, submit a reconsideration request to Google, explaining the steps you’ve taken to solve unnatural links and clean up your backlink profile.
- Algorithmic Penalty Recovery
For algorithmic penalties, address link issues as outlined above. Additionally, focus on publishing high-quality content and earning natural backlinks to rebuild authority for long-term recovery.
7. Avoid Future Unnatural Links
Prevention is the best strategy for maintaining a clean backlink profile. Avoid tactics that can lead to unnatural links.
- What to Avoid
To solve unnatural links, it’s important to steer clear of tactics that can lead to them. Avoid buying links or participating in link exchanges, overusing low-quality directories or comment links, and engaging in private blog networks (PBNs).
- What to Focus On
Instead, focus on earning editorial links through content marketing, building relationships with reputable websites, and following Google’s guidelines for link-building practices to help solve unnatural links and maintain a healthy backlink profile.
Have Any Questions on Unnatural Links? GetFound Can Answer!
Solving unnatural links is crucial for your SEO! Identifying harmful backlinks and using handy tools like the Google Disavow Tool will help you solve unnatural links, giving your website a fresh start and protecting it from penalties.
Stay ahead of your competitors with regular backlink audits and a strategy focused on earning natural links. This will not only keep your site in the SEO fast lane but also boost your rankings and attract steady, organic traffic!
Got an urgent SEO issue? Don’t sweat it! GetFound is here to tackle any SEO challenge your business or website faces. We’re always happy to help you get back on track!
