Google SEO Ranking Factor Tier List (Part 2)

Summary

In this SEO-focused video, Matt Diggity ranks 21 link building techniques into tiers, highlighting the most effective for higher Google rankings and those to avoid. He shares insights on A-tier strategies like guest posting and digital PR, while warning against E-tier tactics like blog comments and automated software links. Matt also offers practical tips on securing quality backlinks, emphasizing the importance of understanding Google's link analysis limitations and the value of high-effort, high-reward techniques.

Takeaways

• 🔒 SEO involves 21 different link building techniques, categorized into tiers based on their effectiveness and impact on Google rankings.
• 🏆 The S tier represents the best techniques that significantly improve Google rankings, while E tier techniques are either harmful or completely ignored by Google.
• 📈 Matt Diggity, an SEO expert, shares his experience and insights on various link building methods through his video, aiming to guide viewers on which techniques to prioritize.
• 🚫 E tier techniques such as blog comments, forum link building, and automated software links are discouraged due to their spammy nature and potential to harm a website's SEO.
• 🤝 Guest posting is an A tier technique, highly effective for building authoritative links and is a popular method among SEOs.
• 🎨 Image outreach is a B tier technique where one can use their images found on other sites to negotiate backlinks, reaching domains previously considered out of reach.
• 📉 Skyscraper technique, once effective, is now considered a D tier method due to its time-consuming nature and the likelihood of requiring payment for links.
• 📢 Digital PR, an S tier technique, involves leveraging surveys or research to attract high-quality backlinks from reputable news sites.
• 🔗 Link insertions are an A tier tactic where one requests existing articles on other sites to include a link to their own content, often more affordable than guest posts.
• 🔄 Link exchanges, a B tier technique, involve reciprocal linking agreements, which can be beneficial but should not be overused.
• 📊 Expert roundups, a C tier method, involve compiling tips or advice from industry experts, which can attract backlinks but require significant management effort.
• 🖼️ Infographics, once a popular D tier technique, have lost their appeal and are now considered less effective due to the preference for richer media like video content.
• 📝 Citations are a B tier foundational link building technique, important for local SEO and establishing a website's credibility.
• 📰 Press releases are generally a D tier technique, with high-quality releases being useful for link diversity, but low-quality ones often ignored by Google.
• 💰 Buying links from reputable vendors is an A tier technique for scaling link building efforts efficiently, though it's crucial to avoid spammy links.

Q & A

What are the different tiers of link building techniques according to Matt Diggity?

Matt Diggity categorizes link building techniques into five tiers: S tier (the best), A tier (valuable for everyone's SEO toolkit), B tier (builds powerful links but should be occasional), C tier (okay but not cost or effort effective), and E tier (harmful to the website or ignored by Google).

Why are E tier link building techniques considered harmful or a waste of time?

E tier techniques such as blog comments, forum link building, and automated software links are considered harmful or a waste of time because Google can easily identify and ignore these spammy links, and collecting too many can lead to an unnatural links manual penalty.

What is the significance of guest posting in link building according to the video?

Guest posting is an A tier link building technique, highly utilized and effective for getting results. It involves reaching out to websites to write content with a link back to your own site.

How does image outreach work as a link building technique?

Image outreach is a B tier technique where you take images you own, find where they're being used without permission via Google's reverse image search, and then reach out to the website owners to request a link back to your site in exchange for using the image.

What is the issue with the skyscraper technique as described in the video?

The skyscraper technique is considered a D tier technique because it involves creating a comprehensive guide and then reaching out to websites that have linked to similar content, asking them to link to your 'better' version instead. However, it's often a waste of time as most of these links are no longer free and require payment.

What is the role of digital PR in link building and how is it categorized?

Digital PR is an S tier technique that involves conducting research or surveys and then reaching out to journalists and news outlets to get your findings published, which can result in high-quality backlinks.

How does the technique of creating link bait articles compare to other techniques in terms of effort and results?

Creating link bait articles is a C tier technique. While it can attract links, it's not always worth the effort compared to other techniques. It requires a well-thought-out content plan and can be more hit or miss in terms of results.

What is HARO and why is it considered an A tier link building technique?

HARO stands for Help a Reporter Out. It's an A tier technique where you receive requests from journalists seeking expert quotes on various subjects. Responding to these requests can result in free links from reputable sites if your quote is used.

Why are broken link building and unlinked mentions considered not worth the time in the current SEO landscape?

Broken link building and unlinked mentions are D tier techniques because when you reach out to site owners to correct these issues, they often ignore the requests. The time spent could be better utilized on other more effective link building techniques.

What is the advantage of link insertions over other link building techniques?

Link insertions are an A tier tactic where you ask websites to add a link to your site in an already created article. The advantage is that since it takes minimal effort to update an article with a link, websites typically don't charge as much for this as they would for a new article or guest post.

What is the concept behind link exchanges and how is it categorized in the tier list?

Link exchanges, categorized as a B tier technique, involve getting a link from a website in exchange for linking back to them. It's an efficient way to gain links, but should not be the primary strategy due to the potential for unnatural linking patterns.

How does Matt Diggity view the use of infographics as a link building technique currently?

Matt Diggity views infographics as a D tier technique. While they were once an effective way to attract links due to their novelty, they are now considered less valuable as people prefer richer media like video content.

What is the role of citations in link building and why are they considered important?

Citations are a B tier technique where you add your website's information to directories like Yelp or the Better Business Bureau with a link back to your site. They are considered foundational links that trustworthy businesses should build first, providing a base of credibility.

Why is the use of press releases for link building considered less effective in the current SEO practices?

Press releases are a D tier technique because cheap press release services often result in syndication to low-quality or ignored sites, providing little to no SEO benefit. High-end press releases, however, can still offer some value for link diversity or specific SEO strategies.

What is the stance on buying links from vendors and how does it compare with other link building techniques?

Buying links from vendors is considered an A tier technique, especially for those in lucrative niches or at a business scale where time efficiency is crucial. It's a direct method to acquire links but should be done carefully to avoid links from spammers that could harm the website's SEO.