This goes without saying that link building has been an essential aspect of search engine optimization (SEO) for years.
But using outdated or spammy link-building techniques can actually harm your website’s reputation and rankings.
Moreover, with Google’s continuous updates to their algorithm, many marketers have given up on the blog commenting link-building strategy.
In this article, we will explore the reasons why you should not use blog commenting for link building and provide alternative strategies for building backlinks.
So, without further ado, let’s get started!
What is Blog Commenting?
It is a technique in which bloggers make comments on other blogs in order to connect with the author of the article or other readers.
Of course, this helps bloggers connect with other bloggers and their followers while also driving traffic to their own websites.
As a result, placing a comment on a blog with a link to your own site can help you in gaining backlinks.
Bulk Commenting Lead To Google Penalties
Okay, let’s quickly understand this.
Bulk commenting refers to the practice of posting a large number of comments on websites, blogs, or forums in a short period.
This is often done by automated software or bots, and the comments are typically low-quality, irrelevant, or repetitive.
The primary intention behind bulk commenting is to generate backlinks or to promote a specific product, service, or website.
However, this practice is considered spammy and can have negative consequences.
Google, being the leading search engine, is committed to providing the best user experience and relevant search results.
As a result, Google constantly updates its algorithms to identify and penalize websites that engage in spammy practices, like bulk commenting.
Here’s why bulk commenting can get you penalized by Google:
- Low-quality content: Bulk comments are usually generic and do not provide any value to the users. Google’s algorithms prioritize high-quality content, and websites with a significant amount of low-quality content may suffer in search rankings.
- Violation of Google’s Webmaster Guidelines: Google explicitly states in its Webmaster Guidelines that any attempt to manipulate a site’s ranking in search results through deceptive techniques, like spamming or bulk commenting, is against their guidelines. Violating these guidelines can lead to penalties or even removal from Google’s search results.
- Negative impact on user experience: Websites with a large number of spammy comments can lead to poor user experience, as users might have trouble finding relevant information amidst the clutter. Google takes user experience into account when ranking websites, so a poor user experience can negatively impact your search rankings.
- Association with bad neighborhoods: Websites that engage in bulk commenting are often linked to other spammy websites, forming a “bad neighborhood” in the eyes of Google. Associating with such websites can harm your website’s reputation and affect your search rankings.
To avoid being penalized by Google, monitoring your website’s comments and implementing anti-spam measures can help you maintain a clean and valuable comment section.
The Red Flags of Blog Commenting for Link Building
1. Comment Spam
Indeed, comment spam is a significant problem in blog commenting. Many bloggers and website owners receive a lot of spammy comments that add no value to their content.
If you leave spammy comments on blogs, you may be marked as a spammer and banned from commenting on that blog or other blogs. Therefore, it’s essential to leave valuable comments that add value to the discussion.
2. Low-Quality Links
Not all backlinks are created equal. Some backlinks may come from low-quality websites or irrelevant blogs, which may hurt your website’s authority and rankings.
Therefore, it’s crucial to be selective about the blogs you comment on and ensure that they are relevant and high-authority websites.
3. Time-Consuming
Blog commenting can be a time-consuming process. To make an impact, you need to leave valuable comments on relevant blogs regularly. It can be challenging to find the time to research and read other blogs, leave valuable comments, and respond to comments on your blog.
Therefore, blog commenting may not be the best link-building strategy for those who have limited time or resources.
Try These Practices for Link Building Instead
While blog commenting may not be an effective link-building strategy, there are several other methods you can use to build backlinks.
Here is what you can try instead:
1. Invest in Guest Posting
Guest posting is a link-building strategy where you create high-quality content for websites or blogs within your industry.
When you offer valuable content, you can negotiate the inclusion of a link back to your website. This link may appear in the article itself or your author bio.
However, guest posting not only generates backlinks but also exposes your content to a wider audience. But also increases your online authority and helps build relationships with influencers in your niche.
To be effective, research relevant sites, pitch your content ideas, and create engaging, well-researched articles that provide value to the host site’s audience.
Sometimes getting good and authoritative sites in your niche can get difficult. And that’s exactly where you need experienced guest post services to get you published on the relevant sites.
2. Prioritize Broken Link Building
Broken link building is a strategy to identify dead or non-functioning links on websites related to your niche.
You can use tools like Ahrefs or Check My Links to find broken links. Once discovered, you can create content similar or superior to the original linked source.
Then, reach out to the website owner, informing them of the broken link and offering your content as a replacement.
Of course, this can benefit both parties, as the website owner maintains a user-friendly experience, and you gain a valuable backlink to improve your site’s authority and search engine ranking.
3. Use Skyscraper Technique
It is a link-building strategy that involves finding top-performing content in your niche, creating a superior version, and then reaching out to sites that link to the original, requesting they link to your improved version.
By analyzing what made the original content popular and enhancing it (e.g., updating statistics, adding visuals, or expanding on points), you create a more valuable resource.
Contacting the original linkers with your enhanced content offers them an opportunity to provide their audience with better information.
However, this increases the likelihood they will link to your piece. Thus, boosting your website’s authority and rankings.
4. Leverage Blogger Outreach & Relationship Building
This practice involves connecting with industry professionals, bloggers, and influencers to establish mutually beneficial relationships.
By engaging with them through social media, comments, or email, you can create rapport and trust. Sharing their content, offering valuable insights, or collaborating on projects can strengthen these relationships.
As a result, they may feel inclined to naturally link to your content or mention your website, increasing your online visibility and authority. Cultivating these relationships takes time and effort but ultimately leads to sustainable, high-quality backlinks.
The best practice may also include a blogger outreach service to help you pair with the industry’s top bloggers in your niche. In fact, you may also get your hands on niche edits and your site placed on the top sites.
The choice is yours; you can pick any one way and increase your online visibility. The only thing that you need to keep in mind is to focus on building strong and long-term relationships.
Happy Link Building!
Wrapping It Up
Remember not to rely on blog commenting as your sole link-building strategy. You should explore other alternatives and focus on creating valuable content.
However, you can anytime connect with a reliable and reputable white label link building agency like Outreach Monks to get high-authority backlinks for your site.
Whereas investing in blog commenting for links is a waste of time. Most comment links are no-follow, low-quality, and often seen as spammy.
Therefore, it’s essential to be selective about the blogs you comment on and ensure that they are related to your niche and high-authority websites.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can blog commenting still be effective for traffic generation?
If done right, blog commenting can still be an effective way to generate traffic to your website. By leaving valuable comments on relevant blogs, you can attract readers who are interested in your content.
What should I do instead of blog commenting for link building?
There are several other link-building strategies you can use, such as guest posting, broken link building, and the skyscraper technique.
Can blog commenting hurt my website's SEO?
If you leave spammy comments or comments on low-quality websites, it may hurt your website's authority and rankings. Therefore, it is essential to be selective about the blogs you comment on and ensure that they are relevant and high-authority websites.
How often should I guest post?
There is no set number of guest posts you should write. However, it's essential to focus on quality over quantity and ensure that your guest posts are relevant to your niche and provide value to the audience.
Can I use automated tools for link building?
No, using automated tools for link building is considered spammy and can harm your website's authority and rankings.
