Do most SEOs leach PR from their clients?

[SPC2]

In this thread, ADAM Web Design made this statement = "... and like most true SEO-types they leech PR from their own customers".

As an SEO, I was deeply offended by it because I know it to be totally untrue, and I kinda took the thread off-topic.

Although Adam refused to say that he was wrong, he did modify his statement twice. The first modification was to say that he wasn't refering to SEOs as such, but to people who offer seo services. Of course, that includes all SEOs, so it didn't help one bit. The second was to try and change focus by admitting that it's more common with website designers than with people who offer seo services. Along with the second modification, he reduced the charge to, "it still occurs and it occurs on a wide scale", but even that is very offensive to SEOs.

In the process he offered 3 examples where SEOs had placed links on client sites - that's assuming that they were actually client sites, and that's not a gimme. The 3 examples were meant to prove that most people who offer seo services leach PageRank from their clients' sites. Of course, they didn't prove any such thing. They merely showed that it does happen occassionally

Then the thread was locked for some strange reason. Yes, it had gone off-topic, but there were no flames in it.

But the question has been raised. Do most people who offer seo services leach PageRank from their clients' sites or not? Or does it happen on a wide scale?

The answer is obviously no. The way to prove it? Do any search you like in any search engine you like, and the chances are that the top pages have been SEOed to get there. Now look at all of the top pages - say the top 10 - and try to find the SEOs' links in them. They are not there! Keep on searching and checking the top 10 pages - you may find an occassional SEO's link, because a few people do put their links in the pages, but you will never find that most of the top ranked SEOed pages contain PR-leaching links to the SEOs' sites, and you will never find that the practise is "on a wide scale".

Now, Adam. The last thing you wrote was "I know I'm right. Most people reading this would know I'm right. I came up with a few examples to show I'm right, and could come up with the "mountain" if I wanted to. You may think you are right, but I've no doubt that most people would think you are wrong - and I know damned well that you are wrong. Your few examples showed nothing except that there are a few examples, but it was a far cry from your claim, so, if you are so sure that you are right, let's continue.

[ctabuk]

There were extremely valid reasons that the thread was locked, but these are not, nor will they be made known at this time. Needless to say that it was not done or aimed at either you or Adam.

Given the fact that PR is a miniscule factor in SEO - what possible ramifications could this practice have?

[SPC2]

It's not the ramifications - it's the charge that it is done on a wide scale by SEOs that's offensive. "Leaching PR" is effectively stealing something from unsuspecting clients, and that charge is damned offensive to most SEOs.

Also, although the PR may not be of great value, the link text certainly is.

[ctabuk]

Then that in itself is indeed a ramification as it reflects on the integrity of all SEO's

[Faglork]

You may think you are right, but I've no doubt that most people would think you are wrong - and I know damned well that you are wrong. Your few examples showed nothing except that there are a few examples, but it was a far cry from your claim, so, if you are so sure that you are right, let's continue.

No, let's NOT continue. From the very tone of this posting it is clear where this will lead to. We have already too many discussions of this sort. If anyone wants to exchange accusations, go find a forum for that. Or create one - I suggest www.international-flamethrowers.com

I see your valid point, SPC2. But all this can be said in a more "mannered" way. The way you presented this topic is aimed to heat up the discussion right from the start. This is totally unneccessary.

To everybody: If you feel "deeply offended", inform the mods/admin to take measures. But don't start a war on your own. If you feel the need to discuss the topic of the offense, do it in a mannered way, and don't start a string of accusations.

faglork

[greeneagle]

Guys,

I believe this is an important discussion from several perspectives, especially since the recent algorithm shifts.

Probably a year or so ago I was severely chastized for including "SiteWide" links to my web-development Site and instructed that it was extremely gosh and unprofessional.

Since then "relative reciprocal links" have been redefined, by Google especially. In continual review of Google listed links, my client Site links are still showing up after "Bourbon" and "Jagger" when you do a link:www.mountaineagleweb.com search for me, and on top of that my well presented reciprocal "Client Links" on our Portfolio page often turn up in higher SERP for my clients. Checking my client stats they get many referrals from my Site.

The fact is we all benefit, when handled appropiately.... IMO - "Leaching Off" is an "outdated" concept in some instances with the newer "Relativity" rankings for both IBLs and OBLs.

Let's please set aside differences of opinion long enough here to review this issue from a couple different perspectives, arespecting each other's opinions in the process.

Please review this current and relative thread before replying here:
http://www.webproworld.com/viewtopic.php?t=60147

Thanks,
Ken

[SPC2]

I see your valid point, SPC2. But all this can be said in a more "mannered" way. The way you presented this topic is aimed to heat up the discussion right from the start. This is totally unneccessary.

I don't deny the heat - Adam's untrue statement was deeply offensive. But I haven't resorted to flames or anything that could be considered offensive, and I have suggested a very logical way to prove the truth one way or the other. It wasn't me who caused the heat, but it was me who felt it. Adam made a charge against SEOs, and I'd like him to either back it up, or admit that he was wrong.

[Mel]

IMO it would be extremely unprofessional for any SEO to use a clients site to place links back to their own site. I certainly do not do it (though I have had a few clients give me a link from one of their pages) and personally do not know of anyone who uses clients sites to place links back to thier site.

[greeneagle]

Let's discuss this professionally.

We go way out of our way for clients, not charging from some services we provide in a continuing basis.

We have a market niche. Building that market niche provides benefits for all of us. Reciprocal links are still honorable and highly prized in the SEs (including Google) when they are used appropiately and relevant.

We don't take on competitors, but everyone we bring into our "family" has the possibility of connecting up in preferred business relationships, and they work well together that way.

What is the problem with providing professional acknowledgement of each other's services and helping each other promote the other's business?

There is nothing unprofessional or "gosh" about that. If the recips lowered client rankings, or if they asked me to remove them, I wouldn't hesitate. They all know they are there, and they benefit us all with relevant traffic.

I am proud of the work we do and my clients are served well by their Sites and continuing support. Why shouldn't we work together to support each other. That's just good business sense.

Ken

[ctabuk]

I have question for SPC2 - Given that you are a SEO, why do you not carry either your own URL or those of your clients into your forum posts? Surely this would benefit them, and give us an opportunity to view your own work?