[Milk and Honey]

Hello everyone,

In the last couple of months, it's clear the Google is really going after HPBL networks. I currently belong to 2 different networks, but my rankings (specifically my main keyword) have taken a hit in the last 2 weeks, from #1 to #5 to #9 to oblivion. My question is: Since my rankings have now completely tanked, should I just cancel my subscriptions to these 2 networks? Since my rankings have already tanked, I can't really see a reason to stay on with these 2 networks.

Also, it's clear to me that it's time to start building my own private network. Anyone have any suggestions as to a quality course that can teach me the in's and out's of how to do this?

Thanks.

[Mike C]

Pat Jackson is giving away his course for free now - http://domainingdomination.com/

[Milk and Honey]

Thanks for the info!

Anyone have any thoughts about canceling the 2 HPBL network submissions? Again, rankings have already tanked.

[Billy Goat]

Do you have a report of your links in these networks? If so, check to see if the links are still indexed. Many networks have had a good number of sites deindexed recently.

In any event, I would contact the network owners to see what they are doing about any deindexed sites in their network. Clearly, a good number of them aren't communicating these issues to the people who are paying for these links.

At the end of the day, there's no point paying for deindexed links.

[trishworks4u]

your decision but I exited from all HPBL networks 5-6 months ago and never looked back.  Just my opinion, but I think they're risky, expensive and frankly weren't doing me much good when I was in them.

[MarkAse]

I think you have already answered your own question.

Rankings tanked already, so clearly those networks are either deindexed or simply not working for your site.

I cancelled 5 networks for an authority site and lost only a spot or two in certain points, canceling can be traumatic for rankings or barely noticeable.

It sounds like you are in worst case scenario, paying a monthly fee for networks without income.

[Milk and Honey]

I'm still making income so no worries there. This is just one site that was doing well in the wedding niche and for it to tank right at the beginning of wedding season has me a little steamed.

Yup, I think it's bye bye HPBL networks for me. It's clear that Google is on the war path and these sites are getting axed quick.

[Rhetoric]

to be clear - Google is only on the warpath against crappy HPBL networks... The good ones still bring in much reward. I'm not saying this to only plug mine, I spend well over $1000 / month on these types of links...

[AdamWB]

I don't think Google is specifically targeting sites that belong to HPBL networks (otherwise it would be easy to tank competitors) - but when they de-index a network, which makes up a huge portion of your backlinking on a certain site - it's going to make your site tank just from the mere mechanics of how links help you rank. If your link velocity is negative, in a big way, that can't be good on rankings.

[Milk and Honey]

Rhetoric, on 10 February 2012 - 09:03, said:

to be clear - Google is only on the warpath against crappy HPBL networks... The good ones still bring in much reward. I'm not saying this to only plug mine, I spend well over $1000 / month on these types of links...

This is true. The HPBL networks that I belonged to were making up an infinitely small percentage of the overall link profile. Velocity and variation is good too.

I just think that it's time for me to build my own private network so that I have control of content/OBL.

Edited by Milk and Honey, 10 February 2012 - 09:51.

[Fishingman1]

Milk and Honey, on 10 February 2012 - 09:50, said:

This is true. The HPBL networks that I belonged to were making up an infinitely small percentage of the overall link profile. Velocity and variation is good too.

I just think that it's time for me to build my own private network so that I have control of content/OBL.

its more than that.
Footprint is a clearway to be found.
If your going to adsense the sites DONT use the same publisher ID on them.
They are on the war path for sure.

[Mick]

I agree withg what Trish said, I dropped all HPBls I subscribed to because of major drops for myh sites on them.  What ever benefit I thought I was getting was short-lived if at all.

trishworks4u, on 10 February 2012 - 06:53, said:

your decision but I exited from all HPBL networks 5-6 months ago and never looked back.  Just my opinion, but I think they're risky, expensive and frankly weren't doing me much good when I was in them.

[taccomc]

I started my own network of blogs 6 months ago and my ranking has only increased with all the panda updates.  Original  content and IP diversity I have found is key.  I have a few blogs that went to PR4 within 90 days with no backlinks and page 1 ranking for exact match..