Every so often I hear an idealist talk about ranking without links. Evidently Google has the ability to algorithmically determine what is quality content and what is not.
(I, too, believe they have that ability, I just believe they look at linkage to determine what is quality and what isn’t.)
It is disturbing, however, when I hear SEO’s talking this way. SEO’s should know better. I personally think that most SEO’s who refuse to acknowledge the dominance of links in the algorithm are refusing to acknowledge that obvious fact because they themselves are unable to build links. I look at it as a kind of wishful thinking. They wish that links weren’t the primary factor, and believe that if they say it enough, it might just become true.
Psychology aside, let me address the claim of ranking without links.
So far in my forum dwelling years, I’ve encountered several claims of ranking without linkage. Upon investigation, they all fall into three types:
1. A single web page on a domain ranking without any external links. The conveniently overlooked factor is that the domain itself has hundreds or thousands of inbound links, and those links are the foundation of the rankings. Put the same web page on another domain without the links, and it will lose all ranking.
2. A web page ranking for a search term such as “Seattle Professional SEO Consultant“. If there is no competition for the term and no traffic for the term, it really isn’t called ranking, is it?
3. A web page on a domain without its own links, ranking based on 301′d links. To be a dullard and state the obvious, rankings based on 301′d link are still rankings based on links.
The algorithm today is based on a kind of trust, or authority. That authority is established through inbound links, outbound linking and age. So links are just as vital today as they were 4 years ago. Perhaps more so.
http://blog.v7n.com/2007/02/26/ranking-without-links/