Google Warns that Those 'Peeing in the Pool' May Ruin Infographics for Everyone
As is so often the case, it seems that Matt Cutts is reminding us once again, that anything we do to attract links and site visitors had better be relevant and clear. The specific tactic he's referring to in a recent interview with Eric Enge is the use of infographics. If this is a new term to you then check out our recent report on them, Infographics are Awesome Here's How to Create Them.
The direct issues Matt Cutts points out is that infographics are often on topics that aren't relevant to the site they link from and don't always show clear intent of the person posting the link. While many site owners are happy to promote the infographic, that doesn't mean they are offering a glowing endorsement of the site it came from. He says...
"Any infographics you create will do better if they're closely related to your business, and it needs to be fully disclosed what you are doing. The big key is that the person publishing the infographic has to know, and agree with, including an endorsement to your site as attribution with the infographic. Even then, there is reason to believe that the link is more about the barter to get the infographic than a real endorsement of your site."
He also warns that any information included within the infographic had better be accurate. There are infographics popping up everywhere as link bait and those publishing poorly researched or downright inaccurate information are doing everyone a disservice.
If you're a regular reader of SearchEngineNews.com you'll know that anytime Matt Cutts issues a warning such as this....
"I would not be surprised if at some point in the future we did not start to discount these infographic-type links to a degree."
He's pretty much waving a big flag screaming 'Make sure you're not depending on these as your sole link building technique because it's not going to last!' Hopefully you've followed the advice that we've outlined over the years and your link profile won't be ...
