Is 3 Way Linking Acceptable to Google?
August 18, 2008 by Trish Jones
Filed under Search Engine Optimization, Website Promotion Strategies
Back in July, I wrote an article about link building and since that time I’ve done a lot of research but also had some negative results on my blog that has made me rethink the whole 3 way linking strategy.
I suppose the question isn’s so much “Is Link Building Unethical” as much as it should be “Is It Acceptable To Google,” and the other search engines for that matter?
First of all, let me go over my history of using a three way linking strategy on my blog:
I was one of the early adopters of 3WayLinks back in July 2007 and in a few months, my blog went up from a PageRank 5 to a PageRank 6 and, as you can imagine, I was ecstatic!
Weeks later, it went back to a PageRank 5 and after weeks of scrathing my head, I discovered that having moved my blog to a new server, I had forgotten to add the resource link to the bottom of my blog which displays all the sites I was linking to in the 3 way links network and, without my knowledge, I was kicked out of the network.
So, I thought, Google must think I’m playing games here … 170 links here today … 170 links gone tomorrow. Of course it looks suspicious! Even I would ban me! Okay Google, don’t take that as red! 
I of course added the link to the bottom of my blog, sent a support ticket to the team over at 3waylinks.net and I was now back in the network.
A couple of months on and my blog has now gone down to a PageRank 4! It hasn’t been that low for what feels like an eternity.
Now, I’ve no doubt I’m going to get comments like “why should you care about PageRank” and, “PageRank doesn’t matter anyway.” Well, you keep thinking that … it matters to me!
But that aside, the only thing I could think of (and that’s not saying it’s correct) was my three way linking strategy.
What Is 3 Way Linking?
For those of you who may not know what a three way linking strategy is, it’s a system that uses a method of linking where site A links to site B, site B links to site C, and site C links to site A, like this:
Therefore, rather than one site benefitting from a one-way link, all 3 sites get what Google sees as a one-way link to their web site.
This also differs from the old reciprocal linking method, where site A links to site B and site B links back to site A, a strategy which Google seems to no longer value.
The power of linking three ways is that Google sees each link in the 3-way link exchange as a one-way link
and gives it the same full ranking value of a one-way link.
So the story goes anyway. And, I say story, not to discredit the validity of 3 way linking, but more to question whether this really is an acceptable strategy by Google.
Well, over the weekend, I spoke to a good friend of mine Srini Saripalli who had implemented a 3 way linking strategy to one of his blogs which, in a short period of time, lost it’s PageRank entirely.
So naturally, this not only got me thinking, it got me worried and so I searched the Internet for information on whether this strategy was good or bad and of course, you have the extremist on each end of the scale … those who bless the day 3 way linking was born and those who curse it.
But the most interesting site I came across was a page on … Google’s Webmaster Central. Whilst the article is mainly in reference to paid links, Matt Cutts makes it clear that “Google’s official quality guidelines have advised “Don’t participate in link schemes designed to increase your site’s ranking or PageRank.”
I personally now believe that 3 way linking is one of the very schemes Google is against since ethical or unethical, it is a scheme designed to increase your sites ranking or PageRank.
Now, I’m also going to say this …
“The Proof Is In The Pudding.”
Not a technical blog term I know, but had I not been slapped twice by Google, I would have had no cause for concern and, in the past when other sites were moaning, Google was loving me!
If you’re asking why my blog went to a PageRank 6 initially, I think my only logical explanation is this:
Google hadn’t caught on to the 3 way linking strategy I’d implemented back then and just saw each link as a one-way link. It’s also interesting that my second “slap” followed shortly after I’d published my article about 3 Way Linking. Did I hand it to them on a plate? Did I expose myself to Google? Who knows!
The Google Bots may not be that intelligent to spot the linking strategy but Google uses human eyes to spot violations of their guidelines too.
Anway, yesterday, I cleaned up my blog.
I removing my blog from both three way link networks I had participated in and, I also removed the links pages on my site.
Not sure what the consequences of my actions will do just yet since Google may think I’m playing games again, but the view I took was “do it now and start building your site credibility with Google again.”
I understand there is a place at Google’s Webmaster Central where you can write to and ask specifically why your PageRank has decreased but I haven’t found it yet and have been looking for weeks. If someone knows where the link is, I’d love to hear from you.
In the meantime, I’m sticking to practices that build my links naturally. The tortoise won back then and he’ll win again!!
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I have long been concerned about 3WayLinks as the links are not at all relevant to the content of my sites. Your blog has helped me make the decision to drop the links as well - whatever the consequences.
It’s always best to do the right thing for the customer and what value is it to the customer to have a bunch of links that are totally irrelevant.
Being the tortoise is not a bad thing in the long run - and they sleep better as well.
Hi David,
Yes, I think this decision to link to any site was based on the fact that big sites such as about.com etc have a range of links from various sites. They also have a range of articles on a wide variety of topics too!
I’m happy being the tortoise right now David and you’re right, it will make me sleep better.
All the best,
Trish
Hi Trish,
I came across your post when searching Google for ‘3 way links google’. I’ve been very tempted to use this link building method especially since I’ve seen so many offers on DigitalPoint for it but having read you post I’m definitely rethinking this strategy so thanks for the heads-up.
Debbie
Hi Trish
I’m launching the blog you helped with very soon.
Re 3 way links:
Reckon “David” has it right: “Being the tortoise is not a bad thing in the long run - and they sleep better as well.”
ALL artificial linking systems are a bad bad idea in my view, because Google will eventually track down who is linking to who unnaturally using Jon Leger’s system, because despite protestations to the contrary by Jon and also by Jason Potash (Traffic Kahuna) about maintaining quality standards. Whatever they say, their approach is manipulative in my view.
The content standards they claim to maintain are in the end defined not by them, but by Google, who will trash any attempts at manipulation if they can.
So watch out you folks at Traffic Kahuna, 3 way links and other traffic “adjusters” such as Web 2 Co-op.
Good luck to you. Who knows, I might yet play in that park but it looks pretty darned risky to me!
Jonathan
Hi there Jonathan,
Great to hear from you and pleased you’ll be launching your blog soon … looking forward to it.
Yep, I cancelled my PortalFeeder account too and feel as though I’m playing totally fair online now. Wish I’d cancelled these things after the first slap but I wasn’t sure what it was. Article marketing, podcasting, video blogging and press releases will get you way better backlinks that these schemes will and though they make take a little longer to produce, they are long-term.
And as both you and David said, I am sleeping better at night!
Best,
Trish
Trish,
Well, it made me curious too, to use this service last year…by seeing a complex & impressing A,B,C formula (at that time).
Its your courage to experiment on your PR5 web site otherwise i did on an unused domain. (Just to test :P)
I also wrote google about the tnx service (never mind) and blaming them to stop these kind of services by banning ‘em …as otherwise why we are going through tedious processes (writing articles, posting, directories etc.) may be out of jealousy.
Aamir, you’re too kind …
I would personally use the word “stupid” rather than “courage!” I’ll get my PR5 back and I’m doing it now the natural way and loving it.
It’s all about getting good quality content out there at the end of the day and that’s how people find me online to consult with them. By taking shortcuts, I’m cheating myself because I’m inclined to produce less good quality content which boosts my credibility.
All the best Aamir,
Trish
Hi Trish
I just entered 3 way linking network two months ago for a few of my websites that were not doing much, not long enough to see any changes yet but I will keep your post in mind. Thank you
Hi Trish
First time here although been reading for a while. Spoke with you a few times over on the old Semiologic forum.
I can tell you from experience that when G catches up with these blog networks such as Traffic Kahuna amongst others, they take a tough stand. I was subscribing to a service similar to TK that recently had their whole network of 140 odd blogs deindexed.
The outcome for me has been loss of all the incoming links to my various sites and loss of ranking in some cases as well.
Nowadays, apart from submitting feeds to RSS aggregators and pinging on new blog posts, I no longer go looking for links. I stopped submitting to the social networks as I see that as a complete waste of time as well. The only other thing I do are article submissions although I only do that to a limited number of article directories. I was, up until recently using Article Marketer which submitted to around 1000 different article sites. However, I have a feeling that may have worked against me as well.
Links into any site are easy enough to find if you know where to look so I guess that If I can do it, so can G as well.
Alan
Alan,
So glad I cancelled all of my subscriptions that had anything to do with 3 way linking.
I wonder how the likes of TK and 3WL’s protect their users. Naturally they can’t but I’m sure it won’t do their reputation any good if a whole load of sites within the network and suddenly deindexed.
Oh well, the tortoise continues.
Personally, I think this whole linking thing has gotten out of hand and really not worth the ‘paper it is written on’. However, Google have got a lot to answer for in that respect giving the impression that backlinks are so important when in reality, I am not convinced that they are.
The blog network that I was using was a good promotional tool and I know for a fact that there were some big names using it - a division of the BBC for one!
You had to make proper blog postings to the network of niche blogs and they would allow one contextual link within the post. It was overall a good system that provided traffic, site promotion and backlinks and yes it was costing $97.00 a month. So, in the eyes of G, I guess that could be construed as paid links.
Fortunately, all the other SE’s are more in tune with the real world and don’t see self promotion as a crime.
Alan
I know what you mean about the blog network and yes, it could have been perceived by Google as paying for links. However Alan, Google’s architecture is link based.
I think linking is important to Google but the point I’m making in this post is that getting the links slowly and naturally is going to give you the edge in the long-run.
Hi Trish
I am not sure whether writing 20 articles for an article directory or submitting my site to 100 diretories is not “manipulative”, too.
What I think is strange is that if google really decided to punish you for being in 3waylinks, then why did they only downgrade you 1PR and not deindex your site?
I think the big fluctuation of loosing 170 links at once is the real culprit…
Mike
Michaels last blog post..Three way linking with 3waylinks.net
Hi Mike,
Google did not de index sites back in December 2006 for buying links so there is no reason for them to have deindexed my site.
The 170 links were lost months before when I lost one point. It was many months later before I lost another point.
Submitting to article directories is not manipulation of backlinks or, submitting to blog directories … check out Matt Cutts for clarification on this.
What I say to anyone is use whatever strategy you like to get backlinks but when and if Google catches up with you, “don’t cry.”
I read the Google Webmaster guidelines and using a 3 way linking strategy to Google would fit Google’s list of “no nos.”
Trish
Hi Trish
Yes, you are right, I like the “don’t cry” approach
The best way to get backlinks is delivering good content - I think your blog is a good example for that.
Mike
Michaels last blog post..Three way linking with 3waylinks.net
3waylinks.net seems to be a new spin on… and… how to distance their product from what was/is known as “Circle Links” back in the old days.
Circle Links weren’t limited to 3 one way links.
You could have 4, 5, 9..25 etc. sites participating in this ONE Way Links system.
Google picked up on that years ago and wrote an algorithm to sniff these groups out.
The only difference I see here is that, 3waylinks.net limits the one way links to 3.
It just a mini version of the now defunked in Google’s eyes…Circle Links system.
So, since Google’s spiders where programmed eons ago to seek out participates of Circle Links, I’m sure the bots can still trip over this mini version trend of one way links.
I can’t agree with your ideas more Trish. I still feel that legit affiliate linking can still drive good traffic to your site. This of course still needs to be done tastefully or you end up with an ad farm.
There are many ways for search engines to spider your web site now days, with very advanced scripting. As far as you handing anything to them on a platter you may have, if they also scan for keywords for things like 3-way linking, etc. We may never know for sure…but I bet they do scan in that method also.
Awesome working with you Trish, you are such a knowledgeable person!
RJ Levesque, Jr.
Dream Weaver Creations
http://www.dreamwc.com
I really found this blog educational and helpful. My Mentor Seth Daley was teaching us about 3 way linking on our last training. Reading this blog has really helped put even more things into perspective.
Great blog. I really enjoyed it.
Hi Trish - this is a really good post. I’ve thought about joining a linking scheme. I didn’t used to care about PR. But I’m noticing that blogs with higher Page Ranks have an easier time getting to number one for their seach phrases.
Often they can do it without having the keyphrase in their title. And it does make it difficult to compete.
But as you are saying - Google quickly catches onto these schemes and you could be penalized. It’s a shame. I get plenty of inbound links. The trouble is, most of them are worthless as a lot of folk don’t use keywords in the links. Most just link to my name, which isn’t much use.