Google Updates Link Guidelines: Widget Links Are Allowed When...

Jan 10, 2014 - 8:50 am 43 by

widget iconKenichi Suzuki notified me via Google+ that Google has updated the link schemes guideline page. Specifically making the widget links section more specific and less general.

Now it reads:

Keyword-rich, hidden or low-quality links embedded in widgets that are distributed across various sites, for example:

Yesterday is read:

Links embedded in widgets that are distributed across various sites, for example:

The example was the same, here are screen shots if you do not believe me:

New:

Google Widget Links Guidelines New

Old:

Google Widget Links Guidelines Old

As you can see, Google stopped saying any links and now is specifically saying keyword-rich or hidden or low-quality links within widgets are against Google guidelines.

Matt Cutts, Google's head of search spam, said in August of last year to nofollow links in widgets in this video:

So I guess Google backed down a bit on this by being more specific on the type of links in the widgets.

Forum discussion at Google+.

Update: So what is the real reason for the change?

 

Popular Categories

The Pulse of the search community

Follow

Search Video Recaps

 
Google Core Update Rumbling, Manual Actions FAQs, Core Web Vitals Updates, AI, Bing, Ads & More - YouTube
Video Details More Videos Subscribe to Videos

Most Recent Articles

Search Forum Recap

Daily Search Forum Recap: March 18, 2024

Mar 18, 2024 - 4:00 pm
Google Updates

Google Urges Patience As The March 2024 Core Update Continues To Rollout

Mar 18, 2024 - 7:51 am
Google

Official: Google Replaces Perspective Filter With Forums Filter

Mar 18, 2024 - 7:41 am
Google Maps

Google Business Profiles Now Offers Additional Review After Appeal Is Denied

Mar 18, 2024 - 7:31 am
Google Maps

EU Searchers Complaining About Google Maps Features Changes Related To DMA

Mar 18, 2024 - 7:21 am
Google

Google Showing Fewer Sitelinks Within Search

Mar 18, 2024 - 7:11 am
Previous Story: Dated Content Impacts Your Google Rankings?