I made a really long post about this last week and my Internets went down and my post was lost. Recreating that post is already making me ache so this will likely be considerably shorter.
Back in a previous post, I brought up the fact that Google was rewarding off-topic link bait as if it were legitimate content and that has caused poor, low quality websites to get a higher ranking. My argument was that being silly or provocative ALONE should not have a positive effect on search engines toward the ranking of your site. Apparently Google is going to take a deeper look at how they reward, or punish, ‘deceptive’ link bait.
Just to clarify, I really love the tools that Marketleap offers and it was easy for me to link to them because they add value. Rex Swain has an awesome http header reader that I use, so he deserves quality links. However, people who make fun of FT 2.0 clowns or make ingratiating, off-top videos that have nothing to do with their website, should not get a Google bump as a result.
Think about it, everyone has been to a garage and seen the calendars with the women in bikinis. Well, if you grew up in Tennessee you have. At any rate, a picture of Tricia Helfer sitting on a Chevy Nova will not make a better car, although it will look much nicer. If Consumer Reports were to give the Chevy Nova a higher performance rating based on the attractiveness of Ms. Helfer, then one would certainly question the quality of the Consumer Reports rating system. In the same respect, Google should not reward websites for off-topic gimmicks that merely make someone look.
Maybe they’re catching on.
You know, there are much better pictures of Tricia Helfer.