You’ve invested a lot of resources into search engine optimization in an attempt to create a solid digital presence and reputation. You’ve done everything you should, so you should be able to sit back and reap the rewards of a job well done. Aside from paying attention to performance metrics and doing the occasional SEO checkup, you should have nothing to worry about. However, negative SEO factors may be inhibiting your success.
Except there are people out there, who might not be so keen on your success. Much like in every other aspect of life, bullies and unscrupulous individuals have made the internet their playground, and they’re looking to throw a wrench in all that success you’re enjoying.
It’s called negative SEO and it is a legit fear of many businesses online. But is it really a threat, and what do you need to know to protect yourself?
What Is Negative SEO?
Negative SEO happens when someone intentionally tries to sabotage your reputation and the effectiveness of your search engine marketing. This might include someone hacking into your website, creating low quality, spammy links to your site, changing information on your Google My Business Page or other directories, creating fake social profiles in your name, and copying the quality content you worked so hard on – just to name a few.
Any business with an online presence can be a target. Sometimes, it’s a competitor who tries to sabotage your reputation by paying someone to create a slew of bad reviews, but it can also come from someone who is just bored and is looking to stir up a little trouble.
It’s enough to leave even the most reputable, solid business nervous. The question is what are the chances that it will happen and how much of an impact do these malicious attacks have on SEO?
Is Negative SEO a Threat?
When it comes to all things SEO, we tend to look to Google to provide us with answers. The problem is that on this topic, it’s nearly impossible to get a straight answer out of the search engine giant.
Google tends to take the position that you shouldn’t invest too much energy into worrying about negative SEO and instead focus on building a positive presence through search engine marketing. Ask any business that’s been affected by negative SEO, and you’ll get an entirely different answer.
There are a few things you can do to actively protect yourself from negative SEO and mitigate any damages. Google has provided a Disavow tool that allows you to inform them of malicious, spammy links that you don’t want to be taken into consideration for SEO. You can also set up email alerts from Google that will notify you any time a malware attack occurs or if your website has received a manual penalty.
Protecting Your Business Online
Diligence pays off for protecting your business against negative SEO. SEO services that include active monitoring of your site, along with assessing the health of your backlinks and taking steps like checking for duplicate content are vital to avoiding the damage caused by negative SEO. We’re here to be your partner in protecting your business online. Contact Double Up Digital today to learn more about our SEO services, PPC management and how we can offer protection against negative SEO.
