A manipulative link-building tactic where multiple sites link to each other in a circular pattern, often penalized.
Why a Link Wheel Matters
A link wheel is a major SEO problem because it is a direct attempt to manipulate search engine rankings. In the past, a website could get away with this tactic. Today, search engines have a zero-tolerance policy for this kind of behavior. A link wheel is a clear violation of a search engine’s guidelines and can lead to a severe penalty, including a drop in rankings or a complete de-indexing of the website. A better approach is to use honest, “white hat” tactics to improve your website’s performance and provide a great user experience.
Across Different CMS Platforms
The management of a link wheel is a technical SEO strategy that can be applied to any CMS.
WordPress
WordPress users can easily create a link wheel by building a series of blogs and websites that link to each other. A common tactic is to use a variety of plugins and themes to make each website look unique.
Shopify
Shopify is an e-commerce platform, so a link wheel is not a common practice. However, you can add a link to a relevant website in a blog post or a product description. A natural link exchange is one that is relevant and provides value to a user.
Wix
Wix has a streamlined, user-friendly system, but you can still add a link wheel. The platform’s built-in SEO tools make it easy to manage your titles, meta descriptions, and on-page content.
Webflow
Webflow gives you granular control over your website’s design and code, which is perfect for a sophisticated link-building strategy. You can use it to create a perfectly structured page that is optimized for a specific keyword or set of keywords.
Custom CMS
With a custom CMS, you have the most control but also the most responsibility. You can build a system that automatically tracks and analyzes your link building and provides your content creators with data-driven insights.
Across Different Industries
A link wheel is a deceptive tactic that can be used in any industry.
E-commerce
E-commerce sites can use a link wheel to show a search crawler a product page with keywords and then redirect a user to a different page or show them a different product. This is a clear violation of search engine guidelines.
Local Businesses
A local business can use a link wheel to show a search crawler a page with keywords and then redirect a user to a different location or a different service. This is a deceptive practice that can lead to a penalty.
SaaS Companies
SaaS companies can use a link wheel to show a search crawler a page with keywords and then redirect a user to a different pricing page or a different feature page. This is a clear violation of search engine guidelines.
Blogs
A blog can use it to show a search crawler a page with keywords and then redirect a user to a different article or a different website. This is a deceptive practice that can lead to a penalty.
Do’s and Don’ts
Do’s
- Do use a white hat SEO strategy. The best way to rank is to provide a great user experience and high-quality content.
- Do use a server-side rendering (SSR) approach. This is the best way to ensure that a search engine crawler sees the same content as a human user.
- Do use a variety of link building tactics. A good link building strategy includes a mix of guest posting, broken link building, and a backlink from a news site.
Don’ts
- Don’t use a link wheel. This is a direct attempt to manipulate search engine rankings and can lead to a severe penalty.
- Don’t buy backlinks. This is a clear violation of Google’s guidelines and can lead to a severe penalty.
- Don’t use a link exchange with a low-quality website. This can harm your SEO.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Using a link wheel: This is the most common and devastating mistake.
- Ignoring a user’s intent: A backlink should be used with a user’s intent in mind.
- Focusing on a single link building tactic: This is a risky and outdated approach.
FAQs
Is a link wheel a black hat SEO tactic?
Yes, it is a black hat SEO tactic. It is a direct attempt to manipulate search engine rankings and can lead to a severe penalty.
What is the difference between a link wheel and a natural backlink?
It is a manipulative tactic where websites are built to link to each other. A natural backlink is a link that is earned organically.
Does a link wheel lead to a Google penalty?
Yes. A link wheel is a clear violation of Google’s guidelines and can lead to a severe penalty, including a drop in rankings or a complete de-indexing of your website.
What is the difference between a link wheel and a link exchange?
A link wheel is a manipulative tactic where websites are built to link to each other. A link exchange is a practice where two websites agree to link to each other. A natural link exchange can still be beneficial.
Can a website with a link wheel still rank?
A website with a link wheel may still rank, but it can be difficult. A search engine’s algorithms are now much more sophisticated and can identify and penalize a website that is engaging in this practice.
