Keep Your Website Off of Google's Naughty List

For every 10 mentions of brand names in your links, there should only be one keyword link, according to Lewis. This means you shouldn't be keyword-stuffing your links or other content. If I'm managing Lenovo's website, for instance, I'd include "just say lenovo" and "lenovo site" in my links along with the odd link to my terms, such as "computers and laptops".

3. Keyword-Stuffed Content

Google has been warning against keyword stuffing since the late 1990s, yet websites persist in repeating key terms ad nauseam. If humans can't read a website, Google won't like it, either. Google really targeted keyword stuffing in its Panda update last year; this infographic charts how well it's worked since it was introduced.

4. Link Farm Building

There's a huge difference between link building and link farm building. Link building is asking your nice online neighbors to link to your fantastic site. Link farm building is building up a massive network of links totally unrelated to your site that may or may not come from reputable sources. There's a distinct line, and you'll know if you're doing it wrong. If dubious websites are linking to yours, then try a discreet, "Can you please take me off your website" email.