Link networks

A link network is simply a group of websites that in one manner or another are connected. Link networks aren’t always created solely to manipulate PageRank, sometimes manipulative link networks were created as a method of quickly generating incoming links in large quantities from existing assets (individual websites). Google views links built on (most) link networks as manipulative and in violation of the Search Quality Guidelines.

Link networks can often be owned by one individual or organisation, or be a gaggle of sites grouped together ‘un-naturally’ by links.

Link network patterns

Typically link networks create patterns, or footprints, across the network and it is these patterns which are used by search engines to identify them. These patterns can often be obvious, others take more investigation to undercover.

IP Addresses

If you find linking websites with exactly the same or very similar IP addresses, this can be a sign that they’re part of a link network. If you have link data which includes the IP address of the server hosting the website you can filter on this IP address, or C-Class, to help identify a possible network by highlighting other sites on a similar IP linking to your website.

Link networks are not just identifiable from their IP addresses – there are many different ways to identify a network.

Network badges

An image proudly proclaiming the websites membership of a particular network, such as ‘Mummy Bloggers UK’ is a clear indication of a network of websites. This is an example of websites owned by many individuals grouping themselves together to form a network.

‘Best British Blogger’ Network Badges

Network text

On page copy is another obvious red flag of a link network. Copy such as ‘Foodies 100’ is a clear indication of a network. Despite it being only two words this is still network text, and if duplicated on multiple websites is clearly creating a pattern.

‘Foodies 100′ copy used next to Network Badges

WHOIS data

Sites that share the same or very similar WHOIS registrant data offer another footprint to help identify sites being used as part of a link network. Sites like this are examples of a network that is owned by one individual or organisation.

There is nothing wrong with a number if websites sharing the same WHOIS data. The issue comes when these links are used to pass link equity in a manipulative manner to a target website. The majority of networked domains hide their WHOIS data by using privacy features supplied from the registrar, such as [email protected] emails. However some networks may be identifiable from their WHOIS data if they haven’t opted for privacy, or weren’t allowed to due to the type of domain purchased.

Example of protected WHOIS data from a known network of directory websites.

Google Analytics & Google Adsense

The JavaScript code that is needed to enable Google Analytics and Adsense on a website is another clear footprint. Whilst these elements cannot be seen on page, there tracking codes are a very clear indication to search engines that a group of websites belong to the same entity.

If unsure about a domain try using the website Spyonweb to reverse engineer these signals (and others) to see if the website is connected with other domains. If you find multiple websites with low quality content, that offer little to no value, then you probably discovered a network.