A blog network consists of dozens of blogs which share related content. Usually, such a network has only one owner who can be one individual or a group. The blogs in the network all link to one another and to the “mother” site.
In this article, we look at why blog networks were such successful SEO tools in the past. Then we’ll discuss why they are not so successful anymore and what the risks are of using or creating new blog networks.
Why the system has been successful
To understand why blog networks have for a very long time been an effective SEO tool, one has to understand the basic principle of how related blogs in a blog network can enhance the search engine ranking of a website.
Search engines: The weight allocated to blog network
The number of online sources linked to a specific website has for long been an important aspect search engines have taken into account when ranking a site. Their algorithms interpret that many links to a site always indicate that it is relevant and authoritative. This assumption has often resulted in a high ranking for the site. However, recently the weight of this aspect has been diminished by Google and other search engines.
Web administrators: Manipulation of the system
For a long time, website administrators have manipulated the system. They
- artificially create multiple blogs with relevant content, and by
- using expired domain names
- develop them in blogs with relevant content, before they
- link them to each other and the “mother” website to
- establish the concept that the “mother” site is the online authority in the niche.
Usually, they have a whole team of content writers to provide the articles for all the linked sources. However, now with the change in policy at Google and other search engines any SEO agency in Sydney who has applied the system up to now, has to ensure that they get new strategies in place.
The risks of using blog networks
Nowadays, Sydney search engine optimisation experts are advising their clients not to put too much faith in blog networks and not to spend a lot of time and money on building networks.
Google’s Panda 3.4 update
Since the introduction of Google’s Panda 3.4 update, backlinks have become less important for search engines Many websites whose rankings were high because of well-constructed blog networks have lost their high rankings on search engines’ first page.
Diverse techniques
According to experts involved with SEO marketing Sydney not all blog networks have been de-indexed yet and the system still keeps some websites’ rankings high. However, they advise that while there is still time, other SEO techniques must be incorporated to a great extent in search engine optimisation Sydney websites.
According to search engine optimisation Sydney experts, SEO agencies must ensure that their clients miss the pitfall of relying only on blog networks to have high search engine rankings.
Conclusion
Although the system has been very successful in SEO strategies, Google’s Panda 3.4 update has changed the whole scenario. SEO agencies must ensure that alternative SEO techniques are used to keep websites at the top of search engine rankings.