Brands Should Manually Audit Their Backlink Profiles to Eliminate Web Spam, Says Punch Communications

LONDON, May 31, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The recent Penguin 2.0 update has once again highlighted the importance for brands to have a full understanding of their backlink profiles and a detailed, manual audit is the best way to identify and eradicate spam-based links, advises integrated SEO, social media and PR agency Punch Communications.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130531/PH23602LOGO )

The major Penguin update was rolled out last week and it has been designed to negatively impact the rankings of those sites that have poor quality and spam-based links, often created by activity that violates Google's Webmaster Guidelines. If brands have witnessed a recent dip in visibility in the results pages, they must act fast to identify any potential "bad" links in order to reaffirm and stabilise their presence in Google search. However, even those businesses that have not noticed a difference in rankings since Penguin 2.0 should regularly review their backlink profiles, as a percentage of poor links can be created naturally at any time.         

By taking advantage of Google Webmaster Tools, or by purchasing a subscription to a trusted backlink checking tool, brands can download and review the sources of backlinks. This is the first step in the fight against poor quality backlinks, enabling brands to immediately contact those linking sites that are identified as being potentially harmful to their sites' search rankings.

Keredy Andrews, account director at Punch Communications, commented: "Whilst the recent Penguin 2.0 update has impacted many brands' Google rankings, all webmasters should really have a handle on their sites' backlink profiles. Poor-quality or spammy links can be generated naturally so it's a good idea to regularly undertake a manual review; any brand that has recently found its rankings hit by Penguin must do all it can to take action. By manually auditing backlink sources, brands can identify and pursue sites to remove links, which when removed will help stabilise and likely increase search visibility."

For more information about Punch Communications and the integrated SEO, social media and PR company services it offers, visit www.punchcomms.com, call +44 (0) 1858 411 600 or follow Punch on Twitter @punchcomms or Facebook at /punchcommunications.

Contact – Keredy Andrews – 0044 1858 411 600 – Email

This press release was issued through eReleases® Press Release Distribution. For more information, visit http://www.ereleases.com.

SOURCE Punch Communications