DISQUS

Brian Chappell · 2 years ago

HA. Nice find Scott. Why wouldn't G Nofollow those. Hypocrites!

Simon Heseltine · 2 years ago

What's the under / over on when they're no-followed? 10 minutes after Matt reads this? ;)

BTW Scott, I only see that as a PR7, I checked different datacenters, and they're all showing the same...

Scott Woodard · 2 years ago

Simon, I'd go with the over on 10 minutes and the under for an hour. ;)

SEO Refugee Blog · 2 years ago

Beautiful! Great find Scott! I see a PR7 as well but the point remains they are breaking more than a few of their own guidelines.

Postoholic · 2 years ago

Scott, I've tried a link: search for a few of the companies listed on the customers stories page and don't see a link from Google (Google directory not counting).

Nevertheless, an interesting story.

SEO Refugee Blog · 2 years ago

Postoholic, where are you doing the search? If it's on Google you should know that that's about the worst information you could get.

Check out the second result on .

SEO Refugee Blog · 2 years ago

woops... looks like my link to the Yahoo search didn't work. Here's the url to copy and paste: http://siteexplorer.search.yahoo.com/advsearch?...

Postoholic · 2 years ago

SEO Refugee, I'm certainly not an SEO expert :)

But is it incorrect to assume that if Google link: search does not show a link, then that means that Google does not count it as a backlink, no matter what Yahoo thinks on the subject?

dnn · 2 years ago

That's good, but i don't see pr8 link yet.

SEO Refugee Blog · 2 years ago

Yeah, that's incorrect. Google purposefully only displays a small sampling of the links they count. For example, a Google link: search for my site shows about 244 links. However, if I log in to Webmaster Central, they show me over 11 thousand links.

Reuben Yau · 2 years ago

I hate posts like this.

You make it sound like these companies are specifically paying for the link, which is not really true now is it. I know of one company that's missing, so this isn't even a complete client list.

Matt's posts talks about links specifically: "paid links that flow PageRank and attempt to game Google’s rankings".

Since there are 100+ links on that page and the link text is the company name, it's not trying to game the system, it's just a list of happy customers. Take a look at Matt's example of the paid links that they're looking for:

http://www.mattcutts.com/images/example-paid-li...

So while the list is huge and horrible from a UI point of view, it's not like Google is specifically selling links.

Scott Woodard · 2 years ago

Reuben, I had no intention of making it sound like Google was selling links - they clearly aren't. This was more of a light-hearted piece of irony that made me smile when I saw it.

SEO Refugee Blog · 2 years ago

Reuben, this reminds me of a tactic ticket scalpers use. They sell a cheap coffee mug for 300 bucks and include 2 free tickets to some sold out game. Now granted, a Google Mini isn't a cheap coffee mug but you certainly can't tell me that those Google links are affecting the rankings. The only reason Google gave those people links is because they've purchased a product from them so really, yes, it is exactly like Google is selling links.

If you say that wasn't the intent then would selling links without mentioning PageRank or SERPs then be OK?

Brian Chappell · 2 years ago

Your obv. missing the whole point Reuben. The fact of the matter is. X company bought something from Google, and is then given a link.

Google has explained to webmasters to NOFOLLOW any link that isnt an actual VOTE for that site. These sites wouldn't get a vote if they had not BOUGHT something from Google. Google is being a hypocrite, end of story.

Reuben Yau · 2 years ago

Scott - thanks for the clarification - I guess my reaction was inclusive of some of the comments.

SEORBlog
Please don't liken this to an illegal workaround like scalping...

If they are affecting rankings, what term do you think they're affecting? I'd guess the company name since that's the link text. You think an organization that's large enough to want to buy a Google mini isn't going to be found for its company name if they don't get a link from Google?

Brian
I'm not missing the point, I understand people think Google is hypocritical in the link selling, but the original intention of the vendor is to buy an appliance, not to get a link. The link is just a bonus and as I said, not every customer gets a link.

A company site linking to its customers is not a bad thing, it's a totally valid link. The links aren't meant to be ads and they're not intended to manipulate the PR algo so there's no need to nofollow them. These links are in a totally different category to links that are primarily bought as ads.

Do a search for "our clients" - are all those 254M results manipulating the PR algo and need to be nofollowed?

Ed Kohler · 2 years ago

The link is certainly something of added value beyond the product being purchased.

SEOish · 2 years ago

Great Catch. Nice article.

WebGeek · 2 years ago

Wow, $1995 for a lifetime PR7 link, without nofollow? Not bad. :) Over 2 years, that would beat a rented link that costs $85/mo. Better than most paid PR7 link prices, wouldn't you say?

Dario · 2 years ago

"What if a site wants to buy links purely for visitor click traffic, to build buzz, or to support another site? In that situation, I would use the rel=”nofollow” attribute." -Matt Cutts 9/1/05

We could always report it as a paid link :P
http://www.mattcutts.com/blog/how-to-report-pai...

WebGeek · 2 years ago

LOL. Awesome! Let's report it. 8)

Andy Beal · 2 years ago

I was think about getting a Google Mini for Marketing Pilgrim. ;-)

Nice scoop Scott!

SEO Refugee Blog · 2 years ago

Reuben, not to beat a dead horse ;) but you say "If they are affecting rankings, what term do you think they’re affecting? I’d guess the company name since that’s the link text. You think an organization that’s large enough to want to buy a Google mini isn’t going to be found for its company name if they don’t get a link from Google?"

Do you really think a link of this nature would only affect your SERPs for the anchor text? Also, what if I were California Mortgage Loans LLC? That would be some decent anchor text. Sort of like ABC Fine Wine and Spirits...

Brian Chappell · 2 years ago

Indeed. Having a trusted, authority link can have an impact on the authority of the ENTIRE site. Its not merely a matter of helping you rank higher for your site name. It helps your entire site out as well as variations around your site name.

Prime example. SEO Refugee posts here and obtains a PR7 homepage link to increase his ranking for "SEO BLOG" since his site name is SEO Refugee, he works in the anchor text, SEO Refugee Blog ;)

Maki · 2 years ago

It would be nice to get a link from the Big Daddy, even though its amongst 565 links.

Thanks for the tip, Scott.

Marc · 2 years ago

I believe this does count as selling links!

Google should be worrying about all the adsense powered spam sites in its index.

And I know many people who would pay 2k just for a link of PR8 from google, so it looks like a scalpers trick to me.

I bet they mention that link when they are trying to make a sale for google mini!

Kausik Dutta · 2 years ago

It's indeed a great find. But do you know if some body signup for their service are they going to show that site surely ? I think they are not showing all sites straight forward. Only the industry leading sites might be on that list. But I must say finding that url is a big credit for you.

Jimmy · 2 years ago

it is really cool! Google is Selling links, Any one can suggest me from where we can contact for the links. i need some High Pr links Pr7 Pr 8 Do contact me for this certvista (@) gmail.com

john33 · 2 years ago

i'm shocked too :) hehehe...

William · 2 years ago

How can google sell links!? That is weird! Did they only make this PageRank system to make money?
- William

had · 2 years ago

"Only $1,995"

:) yes, it's only :)

Christian · 2 years ago

That's okay, I'll just put it on my credit card.

paper shredder · 2 years ago

This is really amazing, if google is selling links PR8 ones, Well i guess this all to gain the ranking in search engines thats all.

Daniel · 2 years ago

Nothing surprises me anymore.

us-experts · 2 years ago

i read this article
its very expert

Matt Ellsworth · 2 years ago

I think this just shows that you can sell links on your page - so long as you charge $1995 for a product and give them a link on the site as well.

korku · 1 year ago

thanks.Superrr

Divx · 1 year ago

Yeah, that’s incorrect. Google purposefully only displays a small sampling of the links they count. For example, a Google link: search for my site shows about 244 links. However, if I log in to Webmaster Central, they show me over 11 thousand links. great idea...

cep telefonu · 1 year ago

thanks bebeim supeer... devam devam

cep telefonları · 1 year ago

thanks aq

araba · 1 year ago

thanks bebeim supeer… devam devam
nedemek lan bu

Berk · 1 year ago

teşekkürler canımm

kanser · 1 year ago

eyw

Dikili · 1 year ago

o kadar para verilmez googla link için...

videosz · 1 year ago

Videosz tenk yu canım

Klip · 1 year ago

Thanks ...

Rose · 1 year ago

I'd like to buy a link there ;)

Driver Alani · 1 year ago

Driver indir,driver download.Anakart,ekran kartı,ses kartı,tv kartı,ethernet kartı ,webcam, yazıcı, tarayıcı,network aygıtları,modem,kamera,notebook,klavye,mouse,monitör,hard disk,SCSI kartlar,joystick,oyun konsolu,usb bellek,mp3 player,grafik tablet ve tüm bilgisayar donanımlarına ait driver download,driver indir

diet diabet cancer · 1 year ago

I’d like to buy a link theremaybe

vize işlemleri · 1 year ago

thanks

forum · 1 year ago

forum, forum sitesi, paylaşım, paylaş, eğlen

sports singles · 1 year ago

I don't understand why it's ok for google to sell links but everyone else cannot do it?

tavla indir · 1 year ago

thank youu

www.bilgizim.com · 1 year ago

http://www.bilgizim.com
THANK YOU

Geoff · 1 year ago

All Google has to do is `nofollow` those links. They don`t, so what does that tell you?

SEO London · 1 year ago

An eye opener, just stumbled upon this post and digging further.

On the surface of it the same story getting repeated.

"And the story is I'm on the top and I wouldn't let you go above me."

So in the end it is going be a duet, Google Vs. Microsoft.

I'm watching how world is being shaped....

Oyunsaoyun · 1 year ago

en yeni oyunları oynayabileceğiniz tek site.

Dmitri · 1 year ago

Geoff, nowadays links from references with ` nofollow ` has not to sense for google

Cep Telefonu · 1 year ago

cep telefonu cep telefonları.. thanks ..

John Illnes · 1 year ago

this seems interesting..

I think the most interesting part, google makes this job unknown so we dont know exactly what is happening.. if google is counting or not.. is nofollow links work for something or not.. so there is always a hope :)

canerkus · 1 year ago

Allah razı olsun

canerkus's last blog post..Burj Al Arab Pictures 1

CHARON · 1 year ago

Good website!

rüya tabirleri · 1 year ago

thanks

rüya tabirleri · 1 year ago

eyw

diziler · 1 year ago

saol canim

Maple · 1 year ago

Good Job....Good Job!

Sağlıkpenceresi · 1 year ago

Thank you.

Sağlıksal · 1 year ago

Best regards. Thanks

StacyJai · 1 year ago

this is very dis-heartening to hear. if they are policing the industry how can they themselves sell links?

i have been hearing soo many great things about google, between all the free software they give away and their "green" datacenters....

they better clarify these matters soon, because it can not be good press!

StacyJai's last blog post..Children and Strangers: Keeping Kids Safe

çiçekçiler · 1 year ago

çiçwk göndermek için bu çiçekçiler sitesini ziyaret etmek gerekiyor veya online çiçekçiler den bu işi öğrenmek gerekiyor sizde çiçekçiler magazasi açmak için bize bir danışın

tasarım · 1 year ago

I’d like to buy a link there

Sedat · 1 year ago

Teşekkürler paylaşım için,denemek de fayda var.

Sedat's last blog post..Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English 4 - Teacher`s Book

çiçek · 1 year ago

teşekkürle hizmetiniz için

çiçekçi · 1 year ago

paylaşmak hayata huzur ve mutluluk katar mutlulkların en yücesi sizlerin olsun

Bilgiliz · 1 year ago

Teşekkürler paylaşım için.

Bilgiliz's last blog post..Making Headway- Phrasal Verbs and Idioms, Advanced

skseo · 1 year ago

Already working or just fixed?

çiçekçi · 1 year ago

böyle bi yardımlaşma olduğu için sizlere minnettarız

PR8 Link From Google for Auto · 1 year ago

Greatest post to help us increase our Auto Insurance Search Engine for PR8 Link From Google Auto Insurance Search Engine

PR8 Link From Google for Auto Insurance Search Engine's last blog post..Individual Auto Insurance Quotes

messenger download · 1 year ago

How can google sell links!? That is weird! Did they only make this PageRank system to make money?

Diet Abs · 1 year ago

It looks like google contradicts it's own statements and gives itself top priority when it comes to ranking high. It's a monopoly that's not fair.

çiçekçi · 1 year ago

teşekkürler

cicek · 1 year ago

tşk

cicek · 1 year ago

Thank you

ameliyat oyunları · 1 year ago

What’s the under / over on when they’re no-followed? 10 minutes after Matt reads this?

BTW Scott, I only see that as a PR7, I checked different datacenters, and they’re all showing the same…

Christoph · 1 year ago

Thank you for this page!! A lot of informations!!

Greetings

cicek · 1 year ago

thanku you

no deposit home loan australia · 1 year ago

Thanks for the info

çiçekçi · 1 year ago

online çiçek siparişi Thankyou

Full video · 1 year ago

I never noticed that change to the terms and conditions. It’s a good job you’re on the ball as it’s easy to get caught out by stuff like that. Thanks so much - Richard

meteo · 10 months ago

I think not possible to find, or with "nofollow"...

kervancı kağıt bobin · 10 months ago

Thanks

csfrag · 10 months ago

Hmm Only $1,995 ? :)
Thanks

Telecharger Player · 10 months ago

Do you think that it's realy good thing to be placed in the list ?
Probably for the 10 first postitions, but after...

Telecharger Player's last blog post..Twister Anti-TrojanVirus

Christopher · 7 months ago

Oh my gosh! Thats a lot of money! If only I could aford that!

Nice post! :)