When Link Building Goes Wild: True Stories That Changed SEO Forever
Something fascinating happened in Michigan awhile back that sent shockwaves through the SEO world – a law firm actually sued their SEO company over spammy links. Yes, you read that right. For the first time ever, Google’s guidelines might actually be tested in court.
This isn’t just another SEO story. It’s a wake-up call about what really happens when link building goes wrong… or sometimes hilariously right.
The Law Firm That Fought Back
When Seikaly and Stewart discovered their SEO company was using link-building techniques that violated Google’s guidelines, they didn’t just fire them – they took them to court. It’s raising fascinating questions about whether Google’s guidelines could actually be considered “law.”
The irony? By taking a stand against spam, this law firm is getting more legitimate publicity (and yes, links) than their SEO company ever managed to build for them.
The Facebook Tattoo That Went Viral
Back in 2011, a Dutch tattoo artist did something unprecedented – she gave a client a tattoo featuring all 152 of their Facebook friends. The resulting YouTube video exploded, racking up 3.7 million views.
Here’s the twist: A Dutch newspaper later revealed it was just a temporary tattoo. But even years later, that single “try-out” tattoo continues driving traffic to the artist’s website.
The Rabbit That Launched a Thousand Links
Perhaps the most outrageous story is “Save Toby.” Someone posted a video of an adorable rabbit with an ultimatum: send $50,000 by a certain date, or Toby gets cooked. While the threat was eventually exposed as a hoax, the campaign still managed to raise $25,000 and generated hundreds of thousands of hits.
The domain now belongs to bored.com, where they report that “Toby has been quoted as saying he is very happy with the arrangement.”
What This Means For Link Building Today
These stories tell us something important: you never can predict exactly what will capture people’s attention. But there are some clear principles at work here.
The law firm showed us that respecting Google’s guidelines isn’t just about avoiding penalties – it can actually lead to positive attention. The tattoo artist proved that clever, original content can have a lasting impact, even years after the fact. And yes, even Toby demonstrated how emotional responses (even negative ones) can drive massive attention.
The key takeaway? Stick to some basic principles: create clever, original content, follow Google’s guidelines, and aim to move people emotionally. Just try not to become famous for the wrong reasons.
Need Help Building Links The Right Way?
At Communication & Design Inc. in Freeport, we build links that last – no rabbit ransoms required.
Get your free Link Building Strategy session by calling 815-281-5152 or visiting our scheduling page.
P.S. – The difference between good and bad link building can be the difference between getting sued and getting sales. Let’s make sure you’re on the right side of that equation.
