Matt Cutts has been releasing a lot of videos lately, answering to most common questions such as, guest posting, links from footers, article marketing, quoting another source, etc. With all the Google dance happening recently, I believe that Matt’s video responses tackles with issues that are constantly being asked by users who are interested in SEO and for those who want to know whether or not a specific SEO practice is good, bad, or somewhere in between.
If you are a bit interested on search engine optimization, I highly recommend you watching all of them. Obviously, some may lead to somewhat different interpretations, but, if you watch closely, you will see that in many cases there are specific messages that Matt is trying to get across and are really very helpful. All in all, the easiest way to ensure that you are on the safe side is to avoid black hat SEO techniques.
I would love to know what you think and what interpretation you have in any or all of these videos.
Is freshness an important signal for all sites?
In this video, Matt answers an interesting question that many bloggers keep talking about, fresh content. As you know, posting regularly is not an easy thing to do, and this is particularly true if you don’t have that much time to write articles on your own. While fresh content is important, Matt hints that writing “evergreen” stuff is probably a lot better, rather than having to worry about pumping in new content, unless of course you are a news site or related.
What is Google’s view on guest blogging for links?
Next up is a very interesting video, and one that clarifies a bit about the benefits guest posting, or not. IMO, Matt is saying that guest posting is actually a good thing, provided you write good stuff. That’s the short and simple version of it. The “longer version” is what you should really worry about, and that starts at 1:13. What do you think?
[note]Update: Google has changed their Link Schemes page, and “guest blogging” may now be considered spammy, so be sure to check that out[/note]
What is Google’s thinking about links from article marketing, widgets, etc?
The question that Matt answers here is another one of those that are really interesting. Basically it all boils down to “natural links”. Natural lilnks are those, according to Matt are links that are editorial and not just a bunch of “anchor text” splattered around, typical of those that we can find on free themes, widgets, etc. Another interesting bit, is just a tiny mention that starts at 2:34. Pay attention to what he says and tell me what you understood when he mentions “and not just because they are paid”…
If I quote another source, will I be penalized for duplicate content?
Ahh, this video finally sheds some light about “quoting” articles from another source. Matt tells you exactly how to do it legitimately, and what you should avoid from being considered as duplicate content. IMO, this also applies for content curation.
Should I incorporate synonyms for important terms into my site?
Often times, we all get too focused on using keywords on our post to make sure that Google and other search engines figue out what our post is about. Matt on this video sheds some light on whether or not it is a good idea to use synonyms. On a recent interview, he went as far as saying that as long as you don’t do it in a spammy way, it is actually a very good approach to use synonyms and LSI (Latent Semantic Indexing) keywords mixed in within your post. This allows search bots to have a better idea of your content while making it readable for users. things sound mechanical.
and finally, the…
Disavow Links Tool
While Matt is not answering a question here, this video explains a bit about how the new disavow links works and when should you be using it. Note that Matt repeatedly mentions and reiterates that “most people do not need to use this tool”. Recent buzz from the SEO industry actually goes as far as saying that if don’t know what you are doing, perhaps it is better if you don’t use it at all. Improper use may “backfire” at you, so my advice would be to wait a bit. I’m sure that the industry experts will soon come up with case studies and tips on how to use it properly. Now, if you have received “unnatural link warnings” from GWT, maybe you can use it to request Google to disavow links, but as I said, do it with extreme caution, as you may be asking to remove links that are actually helping you. You can also find out more about the disavow tool, here and here.
[note]UPDATE 02/2013: This one just recently released on GWC Channel[/note]
What percentage of PageRank is lost through a 301 redirect?
A good question. According to Cutts, the dissipation of 301 redirects is almost exactly currently identical to a direct link, that being, about 15%.
That’s it! What do you think ab out all these videos? Did you find them helpful? Did it clarify some things that you were wondering about?
Here are additional SEO tips, in case you want more.
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Matt Cutts on Guest Posting, SEO, Floost, Empower Network, Speedlink 40:2012
How To Ask To Guest Post, The Wrong Way
Are You Maximizing Guest Posting Initiatives? Why Posting on Low Readership and PR Blogs Is Important!
The Best Sites For Guest Posting Opportunities
Gilbert
Hey Ditesco,
Of late i have also realized a lot of changes on how the pages have been ranking in Google. The current Google dance has brought in a lot of changes and at times find it confusing on what should be done. I guess i should go through all the videos. I believe that there is much to learn from them.
Thanks for this awesome post.
Its really nice the idea of sharing videos and solving problems related to Google Search Engine Algorithms. The idea of refreshing the sites for success is pretty good. Thanks a lot for sharing because its a great guide and help for the ones who are new to google webmaster.
Hi DiTesco,
Great collection of very informative Google videos. I guess, in particular, I’m still amazed over the number of people who have trouble understanding the difference between commenting or quoting from another source and taking credit for something not your own. Always give credit! It’s also never a good idea to just copy everything someone else has done even if you do give them a little link near the bottom.
Hi DiTesco,
These are great videos from Matt Cutt. For the Disavow Links Tool, I would also suggest not to use it and wait for a month or 2 before we know what the tool really is.
It could be a tool designed to confirm “Yes, we are manipulating SEO” to get more warning message, lol!
Wait for more research and case study before start using tool. Or if you have a test site and don’t really care about the negative result, definitely go ahead and use it 🙂
Cheers,
Ming
Narender
An explanation with videos always rocks and you did the same dear.However we should not go with Disavow link Tool at that time because its new and may cause a problem .
Matt Cutts is doing very well and I would like to see all his videos to know some thing more about Big G
I look forward to some of Matt’s videos. If there is something you are not sure about you can usually find the answer in one of them. Occasionally he drops subtle hints about other things if you pay attention sometimes.
Great post.I am looking forward to watch all the videos posted by Matt.They will help me to learn so many new things.Videos are a very great way to help the readers gain interest in blogs and it also makes the reader enjoy learning.Thanks for sharing this post and I enjoyed reading it.
erda
Very informative Google videos.The current Google dance has brought in a lot of changes and at times find it confusing on what should be done.An explanation with videos always rocks and you did the same.I guess i should go through all the videos. I think that there is much to learn from them.
Aasma
Hey Ditesco,
Your really created great resource here, I think the 4th video is the answer to my question which I was not getting from anywhere. I’m sure these videos certainly going to clear our mind regarding Google SEO.
Rajkumar
Hello Ditesco,
The tips are really helpful. I am really comfortable with the idea of refreshing the sites for success. The videos are so informative. A great guide and help for the ones who are new to google webmaster. Thanks a lot for this share.
Hello Ditesco,
This is an awesome mashup videos of matt cutts. after watching these videos i think he is the best orator there ever was. He goes around the questions so easily and never really answers them exactly. DAMN HE is good. Another good post by you. thanks!
Alex Smith
Hello DiTesco,
Thanks so much for pulling these SEO videos together. This is a great resource for removing some of the mystery behind Google’s thinking when it comes to ranking your site or links. Quite frankly, I am not sure why they can’t just tell us what we need to do. As long as they reward positive behavior then it should work out.
There will always be those who will try and game the system. They typically get greedy though and get caught. I agree with everyone else here regarding the disavow tool. It is way too early to be experimenting.
Alex
Gabriel
Actually this video answered a lot of “long-term” questions I’ve had… and even addressed some new ones. I think Matt’s information is solid and quite helpful in todays blogging world.
Sidler
Good thing that Matt always provide us an answer by clarifying our doubts. Without having these videos it would surely be still a lot of questions roaming around the net clarifying and justifying whats good practice or not. So the best thing to do and implement SEO is to follow their recommendation base from the GWT guidelines, and always do the safest approach when optimizing any sites you have or from your clients.
Sanjib Kumar Saha
Hi Ditesco,
Its a pleasure getting the most valuable videos on different topics and issues all at one place. I went through just one of them and it carries me forward to see all of them and get the most useful extracts out of them. For many people facing the same kind of problems now and then, its very apt information that you have bothered to share with all of us. Thanks for the share. 🙂 Its worthy.
Dhruv Bhagat
Recently, I viewed Matt Cutts video about disavow tool. I am really happy that they created a tool which was wanted by many bloggers including me whose blog was penalized because of Google Penguin. Also, I loved his creativity of sharing latest video and solving problems related to Google Search Engine Algorithms. This post is such amazing and useful.
Thanks for sharing! 🙂
Lexi
In terms of content freshness, it’ll be useless to keep posting articles when they’re low in quality. I suppose it’s all about finding balance high quality+ post regularity. I guess a couple of times per week of publishing content should be enough.
Suresh
Well done guys, The tips are really helpful. I am really comfortable with the idea of refreshing the sites for success. the videos are so informative.
I always believe about quality contents will save us from Google penalty 🙂
I agree Latief. Good to see you here
Thanks so much for sharing these videos, DiTesco. It sure clarified a lot of the things that I’ve been wondering about, especially when it comes to the disavow tool. For a brief moment, I was a bit worried about it. But just as Matt Cutts assured, if you’re not doing anything shady, then there is nothing to worry about.
Jack
Its really nice the idea of sharing videos and solving problems related to Google Search Engine Algorithms. The idea of refreshing the sites for success is pretty good. Thanks a lot for sharing because its a great guide and help for the ones who are new to google webmaster.
Himadri
This is great to watch this videos.I did not have time to check all the videos but loved the points.This is great technique to share this kind of video about Google webmaster tool.This will be very helpful for the new users of Google WEBMASTER.
Smart Touch
I know that you should write a high quality post If you want to make a guest post to get some links from it. but what Matt said in his video on the second answer I understood nothing but just right a quality content that’s worth reading.
anyway, really nice article, and I liked the videos that you added.
Thanks for the post, these Matt Cutts videos sometimes add some clarity to the whole google updates but can sometimes also be kind of cryptic, but it is important for anyone who does any SEO work to listen to the insider. Thanks again for posting this….
Ankit Mohan
Really nice post. Answers a lot of questions about proper use of material and links. Many people just pick up a trending SEO Technique and follow it blindly, but here Matt clearly describes the difference between ‘following the herd’ and making a difference!
Jason Mathes
That Disavow tool is so potentially dangerous for the average blogger. I would only recommend even looking at the page if you have something from Google telling you to go there.
Otherwise for 90% of us? I’d suggest staying away!
But it’s always nice to see the information coming from the source!
I agree Jason. Much better not doing anything, specially if you are not an experienced SEO. Matt does “warn” repeatedly about its use, and like you said, coming from the source is a whole different story
Lee
Hi
Brilliant just what I was looking for. My sites rankings are starting to increase. I want to do it the way google wants me too no point fighting it got to go with it. Haven’t got time now to go through all the vids but will sit down with pen and paper this evening to make some key points.
So thanks lee
phil hughes
Too far best thing from matt cutts is they are explaining there ideas of algorithms to us which make us to plan a strategy to work for betterment of sites in a natural way
vanessa
Great post.I am looking forward to watch all the videos posted by Matt.They will help me to learn so many new things.Videos are a very great way to help the readers gain interest in blogs and it also makes the reader enjoy learning.Thanks for sharing this post and I enjoyed reading it.