In the digital age, the success of a blog or website depends heavily on its reach. A well-thought-out cross-linking strategy can help significantly increase this reach. OCOSO enables very simple cross-linking and should not be confused with a backlink network.
At its core, our approach means that websites recommend content from other thematically related sites, thereby guiding visitor flows between them. The goal is not only to increase visitor numbers, but also to improve reader engagement and position your site as a trusted source within a particular topic area.
Cross-linking works by allowing website owners to link to content within their network, recommending it as a relevant extension to their readers' experience. If the content is well-curated and relevant, both sites benefit. The linking site offers its readers valuable additional information, and the linked site gains new, qualified visitors interested in the topic.
While cross-linking is a legitimate method to increase reach and improve user experience, there are problematic approaches in SEO, such as backlink networks. It is important to understand the difference to avoid penalties from Google.
Google penalizes so-called backlink networks because they aim to artificially improve a website's ranking without offering real value to users. This contradicts Google's core principles, which focus on providing users with relevant and high-quality content.
Backlink networks consist of groups of websites that exchange links, often without thematic relevance or organic context. These links are solely intended to influence search engine rankings without providing real benefit to readers. Google recognizes these manipulative tactics and penalizes sites that attempt to improve their SEO rankings through such methods.
| Aspect | Cross-Linking | Backlinks |
|---|---|---|
| Speed of Effect | Works immediately, as content is directly visible on thematically relevant sites. | Takes time, as Google must first discover and evaluate the backlinks. |
| Control over Placement | Full control: Links can be placed directly and specifically within the network. | Less control: Backlinks must be built organically or placed externally. |
| Thematic Relevance | Cross-links are thematically coordinated and provide real value to readers. | Often unspecific: Backlinks can be thematically irrelevant depending on the source. |
| SEO Risks | No risk, as no manipulative techniques are used, and Google guidelines are followed (e.g., through “nofollow”/“sponsored” tags). | Higher risk: Manipulative backlink strategies can lead to Google penalties. |
| User Engagement and Satisfaction | Better user engagement: Thematically relevant links lead to longer dwell times and better user experiences. | Focus is often on SEO effects, less on direct value for the reader. |
| Cost and Effort | Low effort: Automated integration into the layout and targeted links within the network. | High effort: Time-consuming backlink building through networking or paid placements. |
| Sustainability | Sustainable approach: Promotes organic growth through genuine recommendations. | Potentially risky: If Google makes algorithm changes, rankings may suffer. |
| Measurability and Visibility | Clearly measurable: The effects of cross-linking are immediately visible through visitor streams. | Slower effect: Backlinks can take weeks or months to show results. |
After thoroughly reviewing the promotion widget in relation to Google guidelines, we have ensured that the system complies with Google's requirements by taking into account the following aspects:
According to Google's guidelines on link exchange and paid links:
“Any link that is part of an advertising, sponsorship, or affiliate program must be labeled with anofollow,sponsored, orugcattribute to comply with the guidelines and avoid affecting search results.”
The promotion widget ensures that paid or sponsored links are correctly labeled with the nofollow or sponsored attribute. This ensures that these links are not used to manipulate search results. The labeling is done in compliance with Google's guidelines for unnatural links.
According to Google Webmaster Guidelines:
“Advertising and sponsored content must be clearly labeled as such to avoid misleading readers. Avoid making paid links appear as if they are natural, editorial links.”
The promotion widget ensures that paid or sponsored content is clearly labeled as such, either as "sponsored" or "ad." This ensures a clear separation between editorial and commercial content and meets the transparency requirements expected by Google for website operators.
The Google Search Quality Evaluator Guidelines state:
“Link only to websites that are of interest and use to your users. Thematically relevant content that provides value to users improves the user experience and ensures that your site is classified as high quality.”
The system ensures that the pages linked through the widget are thematically appropriate. This relevance of the links is important for providing a good user experience and for Google to classify the site as high quality. By recommending only relevant content, the system remains in line with Google's quality and relevance requirements.
According to Google Webmaster Guidelines on link networks:
“Any form of link exchange or excessive reciprocal linking between websites aimed at manipulating search engine rankings is considered a violation of the guidelines.”
The promotion widget does not aim to build an artificial link network designed to manipulate search engine rankings. It is a system that suggests relevant content from other blogs to users. As long as the links are thematically appropriate and relevant, the widget does not constitute a link network as defined by Google's guidelines.
The Page Layout Algorithm Update by Google states:
“Websites that have too many ads in the visible part of the page (above the fold) may be ranked lower in search results.”
The widget does not interfere with the "above the fold" area, where the main content of the page must be available to the user. The promotion widget is customizable to the layout of the site and can be positioned in a way that does not negatively impact the user experience. This ensures that the page meets the requirements of the Page Layout Algorithm and is not downgraded by Google.
The promotion widget complies with Google guidelines in terms of:
nofollow or sponsored attributes.
