What are your views on this SEO technique

[kristal_cm]

Hi Guys,

Whilst going through some gambling related keywords to find out which sites rank in the top 5 positions, I came across this site ziyafetyaqub.com/‎ ,currently appearing in the top 3 positions for the term "casino online" under google.co.uk

It is interesting to see they are doing all their SEO tricks on the unpronounceable domain name which then redirects to the actual site (http://www.dominantcasino.com/) , in this way their site will not be affected. They are benefiting from all the traffic they can get until Google does an update.

Any SEO'ers out there to give their feedback....

[PromoteCasino]

I have noticed these sites pop up over the last three months or so. The url looks like jargon but redirects to one page crap sites. What is Google doing about this spam technique.

[-Shay-]

Any time I come across anything like that, I report it to Google.

[Scampi]

I don't see it on the first two pages of Google.co.uk for that search term, so maybe it has been blocked already?
You get some interesting results if you put xxxziyafetyaqub.com into Google.

[kristal_cm]

@ PromoteCasino - Hmm yeah maybe they removed it already.
@Shay - I never tried reporting sites to Google. I probably should.
@Gambling Joe - I didn't quite understand what you mean. When I search for that URL I get a page of "Estimated site worth" from various domains.

[chaumi]

I still get one of these sites at number 1 for 'online casino' and another one a few down. Whoever it is they'll quite likely to be making a few pennies before Google nail them.

Painful...because I know I could write good content around 'online casino' for the next 50 years and (almost certainly not get anywhere close to page 1.
Disgraceful...that Google even allows it, irrespective of whether they get them in the end. Shouldn't be happening in these days.

It does prove that if you know what you're doing, you can still game the system.

[kristal_cm]

Whoever it is they'll quite likely to be making a few pennies before Google nail them.

I know ! So unfair that they are generating the traffic using these dodgy techniques and then there are others investing, time and money into improving their rankings with nothing to show for it!

[-Shay-]

@ PromoteCasino - Hmm yeah maybe they removed it already.
@Shay - I never tried reporting sites to Google. I probably should.
@Gambling Joe - I didn't quite understand what you mean. When I search for that URL I get a page of "Estimated site worth" from various domains.

I report a lot of search results that I do not think fits the "intent" of the search to Google - especially if it is a site that is gaming the system and is sticking out like a sore thumb.

I'm not sure if it does any good to report but it certainly feels better than doing nothing but stewing over their position.

[Scampi]

I didn't quite understand what you mean.

Sorry, I was a little vague. After a bit of research they appear to have about ten domains using obscure letters, all using scripts to manipulate Google rankings and pre-made Wordpress templates as the re-directed sites. I gather they have a lot of other sites ranking with other keywords that we haven't yet seen.
It appears to be Russian.

[kristal_cm]

Sorry, I was a little vague. After a bit of research they appear to have about ten domains using obscure letters, all using scripts to manipulate Google rankings and pre-made Wordpress templates as the re-directed sites. I gather they have a lot of other sites ranking with other keywords that we haven't yet seen.
It appears to be Russian.

Ahh I see. Thanks for the explanation Gambling Joe .....frustrating that they get away with this grrr

[universal4]

Sadly, affiliate programs are paying for traffic from these jerks....if that would stop their incentive would be gone.

And it is the affiliate programs that could help us identify who is behind each case.

Rick
Universal4

[Frank Benjamin]

Yeah, they are using a blackhat redirect technique where they somehow make the search engines bots see the one site, but real traffic is redirected. I saw someone talk about this technique on BHW before. Google definitely doesn't approve of this technique and will sooner or later catch on. While some SEO techniques are a little less blackhat in my eyes than others, this one is one for blackest of hats you can get. After all, it is extremely obvious and, therefor, will only last for so long.

But, in the meantime, they make some nice loot. Guess that is all they care about.

[kristal_cm]

Sadly, affiliate programs are paying for traffic from these jerks....if that would stop their incentive would be gone.

And it is the affiliate programs that could help us identify who is behind each case.

Rick
Universal4

Generally when an affiliate signs up they enter their "sexy" site for us affiliate managers to check ... so that they get approved. I mean affiliate managers don't purposely work with webmasters representing one pager websites, although I must admit it would be a good idea to implement some detailed guide lines of what affiliate programs can and cannot approve. For example, content, with a min no. of pages indexed, structured site, a menu (so many sites with no menu) etc. I usually check these things for my information, also if they have meta tags in place, what they are trying to rank for, if they show up for any particular keywords (the tool I use is free however...), site age etc.

Oh I need to add, a one page site can work if for example you are generating traffic through other means like email marketing or offline advertising .....

[universal4]

I actually have a handful of "one page wonders" but this is due more to the fact I do not have time to develop them.

I have also had signups from a single ad on a blank page (one time the ad had a bad image url so they signed up from a red x)

Obviously if that is all an affiliate has I could see that some programs would not approve them, but I don't necessarily think they should have to have a certain number of pages or whatever....

One pages likely would not gain them Private Membership here at the GPWA, but it does NOT stop them from becoming active public members so they can share in the knowledge and can learn about how to build better more productive sites.

I only mention this since I feel that would be an unwarranted quota placing a restriction on new affiliates that may be just entering the industry and they should have the same benefits and freedoms to learn and grow as do larger affiliates.

Now when programs here about affiliates using bad practices to gain unfair search advantages, and tricks, spam, etc to send said programs traffic, THEN the programs can and should react and take action in order to protect affiliates (large and small) using more honorable tactics.

The difficult decision becomes, where to draw the line and be fair to all. It may not be easy, but those that do the best at it, may well get the most overall chance at exposure.

Rick
Universal4

[Sherlock]

Hi Guys,

Whilst going through some gambling related keywords to find out which sites rank in the top 5 positions, I came across this site ziyafetyaqub.com/‎ ,currently appearing in the top 3 positions for the term "casino online" under google.co.uk

It is interesting to see they are doing all their SEO tricks on the unpronounceable domain name which then redirects to the actual site (http://www.dominantcasino.com/) , in this way their site will not be affected. They are benefiting from all the traffic they can get until Google does an update.

Any SEO'ers out there to give their feedback....

It is very risky and I would never do this with domain that I do not want to harm.

Have you checked the backlink profile? https://ahrefs.com/site-explorer/ove...yafetyaqub.com

It is SEO spammy technique that was not caught so far by Google.

Unlike other guys here I have no moral problem almost with anything, and blackhat is simply another marketing technique for me, but you have to know that you play with fire.

Sooner or later Google will catch this and the question is what will happen then. The domain will be indeed banned. But how about redirects? I mean even if you switch the redirect off, there are Google penalties that REMAIN after the former redirect. I have such domains. (I have also seen that redirects can do the oppose, but that is not the issue.)

The problem you have to solve here is how big risk are you willing to take to kill domain dominantcasino.com forever. I think the probability is not very high, but you must count with it.

[Sherlock]

Now when programs here about affiliates using bad practices to gain unfair search advantages, and tricks, spam, etc to send said programs traffic, THEN the programs can and should react and take action in order to protect affiliates (large and small) using more honorable tactics.

The difficult decision becomes, where to draw the line and be fair to all. It may not be easy, but those that do the best at it, may well get the most overall chance at exposure.

Rick
Universal4

That is unreal.

Google is trying to catch the SEO spam for years with multibillion dollar budget. And is one step behind always. Affiliates have problems to have their programme running and pay people. If any affiliate would start with this, it can be only excuse not to pay people.

Plus there is the same reson why Google does not slash blackhat sites... Google and affiliates can not be straightforward, because to buy million links via xrumer cost few dollars and if this would work to ban sites, I would be the first to attack my competition with it. And if not me, other people would. It would be very easy for affiliates to get rid off unsuitable websites. It is really not a good idea to call for this. I understand why you are saying it. But think about it pls. Obviously you are not into blackhat, so you do not imagine the possible damage.

[Sherlock]

I do not know why is so much whinging here. If you think this marketing is so easy, you are free to go to blackhatworld website or other sites and join forces.

Yes, I go there up and there as well. I use whitehet, blackhat, anyhat, that pays off. It is work as any other work, more risky, sometimes nice surprise, you need much more attention. No money is free.

There is not much difference between white and blackhat SEO. Frome the visitor's point of view it is the same. Both is manipluation the SERP. White hat is softer manipulation, for which you should not be slashed down. Blackhat is forbidden by Google. Greyhat is unknown area. But even white hat IS manipulating. Even when OP posted link in this thread, it has intention to manipulate the SERP (and of course it is here to show us the example bla bla bla). It is whitehat only because Google can never reveal that the link is posted by the person that has high interest to have the link here. If Google would be able, the big G would say "posting links to own content is illegal/blackhat as well".

This is complete misunderstanding. If anyone feels threatened by blackhat, please try it. You will see it is something completely different than you thought. And after you invest big money and time and your site will be banned, maybe you will be happily coming back into stable "white hat" world.

[universal4]

There is a VERY big difference between black hat and white hat.

Google understands this and so do honorable affiliates and affiliate programs.

Rick
Universal4

[Sherlock]

The only difference between white and black hat is what Matt Cutts says
I can only repeat that everyone who is doing proactive SEO is manipulating SERP and this is technique that Google does not want. White hat is what you are not being punished by Google [but Google does not welcome it as well], that is it.

As Google said, the only "technique" they welcome is to do the website better for users, not for Google. Therefore SEO=search engine optimalisation itself by definition is Google unwelcomed, since it optimises results for search engines not for users.

As Google algos get better, the border is moving. Moving in a way that blackhat is getting bigger. Guest posts are no more safe and you can get punished for them if you do them in excessive way. Page sculpting is questionable etc etc.

There are three completely independent things here, that are mixed in this thread, because the "honest" guys want them mixed to feel "honest", but it does not put light on reality.

There is one thing and that is morality.
Then there is second thing, and that is what Google can or can not punish and THAT defines Black/White hat.
And finally then there is third thing and that is the free market, where all approaches compete. And the free market, where the most money is being made, will decide what is optimal way to promote the website. My conclusion here is that I never do anything what is black hat or what I expect Google will dislike in future for the flagships. This is what OP asked about.

So market has nothing to do with morality (and it has nothing to do with Google who is looking after his own interest, which is the best search engine and therefore monopoly). As the guy from my avatar said, market(capitalism) can eventually exist even without people.

Blackhat still pays off, but pays off to less and less people, who are richer and richer. That is a fact. One can ignore it and lose market share or jump on the bandwagon. Do not blame me. The SEO based on links is dying. I am surprised the link OP posted still works on so strong keyword. Everything moves to behavioral factors, as Google is spying more and more...

Peace.

[Sherlock]

LOL, someone just complained about my signature, that is funny. I bet it is animosity based on this thread

Even more funny is that the only other active thread on this forum is 100% BH SEO here https://www.gpwa.org/forum/selling-b...-a-215481.html