The latest algorithm update at Google (code named Penguin) may have caused you to get caught with your proverbial hand in the cookie jar. Search engine marketing is all about content and inbound links. In the past, many SEO consultants recommended or used link building services. If you've purchased links came from "spammy" websites, your site may be penalized by Google in the rankings.

What to do?

1. Focus on getting new high quality inbound links. (Keep doing what I've been advising all along.)
2. Use your Google Webmaster account to review your existing inbound links.
3. Use the Google Disavow Links Tool to neutralize the toxic links.

The tricky part about all this is defining "bad link." Google has been decidedly vague about what kinds of links will get you penalized. Here's my advice—review your list of links looking for really spammy webpages.

• Any page with more than 20 outbound links on it is suspect
• Any page with multiple links to affiliate programs such as Acai berries is bad
• Pages that have nothing to do with real estate could be a problem
• Blog pages with spammy links in the comments section are bad

A few spammy inbound links will not be a problem for you. Google tries to analyze your site based on a totality of factors, so don't overreact. Unless you have dozens of stinky inbound links, you probably should not disavow any links. All websites will collect a few dubious links over time; this is part of a "natural" looking link profile.

To view the original article, visit the CoreLogic Broker Cafe blog.

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