Thursday 27 August 2020, by Ashley Simmons
Introduction
If you’re aiming at a prominent position in search results, you should pay attention to two major aspects of your content strategy. The first is the quality of your content which includes the authenticity of the information provided, its relevance to your target audience, and design quality. The other aspect of a high-grade content strategy is your SEO performance, which includes a series of different techniques that you need to apply to make your content as competitive as possible.
However, as much as you try to improve your performance, your competitors could use negative SEO techniques to diminish all of your hard work. In this article, we’re going to let you in on a few tips that should help you improve your defense against those who would stomp on the future of your enterprise.
What is Negative SEO?
The simplest way of explaining negative SEO is that it’s a series of techniques and practices that are aimed against your search engine ranking. This includes everything from reducing your website performance to lowering your credibility by creating links to your page that include keywords that Google doesn't approve of. The truth is, negative SEO techniques develop as time goes by, so new threats spring without control. Is there anything you can do to keep your website and business protected? Yes, there is!
Set up email alerts
Google Webmaster Tools is a free service that you can use to set up email alerts in case someone is trying to take action against your website. When you log in, you should click on Google Webmasters Tool preferences and activate email alerts for every issue available. This way you’ll get an email whenever a malware attack is at hand or your server experiences connectivity problems. Most importantly, you’ll get an immediate notification in case Google issues you a penalty for an activity you didn’t start.
Backlink tracking
When a third-party website uses one of your URLs to support a claim, your website authority grows. However, this is also a chance for negative SEO practitioners to bring down your backlinking strategy by creating low-level or spammy content that redirects to your website. You could be running the best custom essay service but if your links show up within inappropriate content, your ratings will go down.
There are a series of online tools that you can use to check if there are any new backlinks to your website that could show if there are any redirects to a missing page or low-quality URL. You can contact the site owner and ask for a removal of your link, however, if this is not possible, you should focus on compensating for the damage done to you by building several strong backlinks.
Improve website security
A vigilant hacker could easily break into your website and cause serious dame that could affect your content, page performance, or the integrity of your client data. For this reason, you should build strong protection for your website.
Start by introducing a two-step verification process for users that try to login to your website. This way, even if your password is not strong enough or a hacker manages to force a way into your website, they’ll still be going to need a verification code. Google Authenticator is a good enough tool for this type of protection. It’s free, easy to use, and sends confirmation code to a mobile phone whenever you or some of your teammates are trying to log in.
Also, you should back up your website data regularly, in case your safety measures are not enough to keep the integrity of your files preserved. Finally, installing strong antivirus software and a potent firewall will keep you safe from those who would upload malware on your website. This is extremely important if more than one user is allowed to upload files or in case a third-party software shares data with your website.
Keep track of fake social media accounts and negative promotion
Brands use social media for promotion, audience engagement, and a series of other activities that benefit their business. However, your competitors could be using these platforms to bring down your brand.
Online tools, such as Mention.net can alert you whenever your brand or keywords that matter to you are mentioned on social media so you could have a chance for immediate defensive action. All you need to do is add a list of platforms you wish to track, appoint keywords that you find vital for your brand image, and the software will send alerts to your email address.
In case someone opens a social media account, pretending to be you, just report that page before they do any serious harm to your business.
Conclusion
It’s imperative that you preserve and enhance the effects of your SEO efforts, so don’t allow an enraged individual or unethical competitor to ruin your good name and online standing. These few tips represent the first line of defense against negative SEO. You should keep on building up your protection with every emerging treat you learn about.
