I am reading a WebmasterWorld thread that is kind of upsetting me.
A webmaster is asking, when does user generated content become spam in Google's eyes. The conversation goes on to explain ways you can separate out user generated content from your main content so that Google doesn't penalize your site for having low quality content due to your users.
So now, a new SEO myth will be that having comments, forums, methods for users to interact with your content will lead to a Google penalty. It will not.
I have an excellent post from a while back named Google's Take On User Generated Content & Quality read it.
In short, the user generated content can be great. I love it. But when you have someone come into your house, you probably wouldn't welcome them if they try to wreck it. And if they do wreck it, you'll probably clean it up before most people notice. Your guests can really take your home to a new level but only certain hosts and guests are compatible. Your site is your home, treat it the same way.
Forum discussion at WebmasterWorld.
Image credit to BigStockPhoto
