Backlinks remain one of the most powerful ranking factors in SEO—but not all links are created equal. While Google’s algorithms have grown increasingly sophisticated in detecting manipulative tactics, some outdated backlinking strategies still manage to slip through the cracks—at least for a while.
In this guide, we’ll explore 13 backlink tactics that Google officially despises but continue to work in 2025—when used cautiously. We’ll also discuss the risks involved, real-world examples, and why these strategies might still deliver short-term gains despite Google’s warnings.
1. Buying Links from Private Blog Networks (PBNs)
Why Google Hates It: PBNs are networks of low-authority sites created solely to pass link juice. Google’s SpamBrain AI and real-time Penguin updates aggressively devalue them .Why It Still Works (Temporarily):
- Some PBN operators use expired domains with strong backlink profiles, making detection harder.
- When rotated carefully, PBNs can still boost rankings before Google catches on.
2. Paid Guest Posts on Low-Quality Sites
Why Google Hates It: Google’s 2024 Spam Update cracked down on paid guest posts that lack editorial standards .Why It Still Works (If Done Right):
- Some sites disguise paid links as natural mentions.
- If the guest post is high-quality and relevant, it may fly under the radar.
3. Automated Blog Comment Spamming
Why Google Hates It: Comment spam is easy to detect and offers little value.Why It Still Works (Barely):
- Some forums and blogs don’t use
rel="nofollow", allowing links to pass value. - Mass-scale automation tools still find loopholes in moderation systems.
4. Footer & Sidebar Links Across Multiple Sites
Why Google Hates It: These links are unnatural and often irrelevant.Why It Still Works (For Now):
- Some old-school directory sites still pass link equity.
- If the sites are thematically related, Google may not penalize immediately.
5. Exact-Match Anchor Text Over-Optimization
Why Google Hates It: Overusing keyword-rich anchors signals manipulation.Why It Still Works (In Moderation):
- A natural-looking mix (branded, generic, partial-match) can still work.
- If the links come from high-authority sites, Google may not penalize.
6. Reciprocal Link Exchanges
Why Google Hates It: Google’s Link Spam Update penalizes excessive "I link to you, you link to me" schemes .Why It Still Works (If Natural):
- Occasional reciprocal links (e.g., partnerships) may not trigger penalties.
- If the sites are relevant, Google may not flag them.
7. Low-Quality Directory Submissions
Why Google Hates It: Most directories are spammy and irrelevant.Why It Still Works (Selectively):
- Niche-specific directories (e.g., local business listings) still pass value.
- Some aged directories with strong backlinks remain effective.
8. Forum Profile Links with Optimized Anchors
Why Google Hates It: Most forums userel="nofollow", and profile links offer little SEO value.Why It Still Works (Sometimes):
- Some older forums still allow dofollow links.
- If the forum is high-authority, the link might pass some equity.
9. Article Spinning & Syndication
Why Google Hates It: Duplicate content hurts rankings.Why It Still Works (If Modified):
- Rewriting spun content well enough can sometimes bypass detection.
- Syndicating to high-DA sites with canonical tags may still help.
10. Expired Domain Hijacking
Why Google Hates It: Google’s March 2024 Spam Update targets expired domain abuse .Why It Still Works (If Done Carefully):
- Some aged domains with clean histories can still be repurposed.
- If the content is relevant, Google may not penalize.
11. Widget & Badge Links
Why Google Hates It: Embedded links in badges (e.g., "Top 10 Best [Product]") are often irrelevant and manipulative.Why It Still Works (Occasionally):
- If the widget is genuinely useful, sites may keep the link.
- High-authority sites using the widget can pass link equity.
12. Press Release Links with Optimized Anchors
Why Google Hates It: Most press release links are nofollow, and over-optimization is penalized.Why It Still Works (If Natural):
- High-authority news sites sometimes keep dofollow links.
- If the anchor is branded or generic, it may not trigger penalties.
13. Social Bookmarking Sites with Dofollow Links
Why Google Hates It: Most social bookmarking sites are low-quality.Why It Still Works (For Some Niches):
- A few high-DA bookmarking sites (e.g., Scoop.it) still pass value.
- If the links are natural and relevant, they may help rankings.
Conclusion: Should You Use These Tactics?
While these 13 backlink tactics still work in 2025, they come with significant risks:
✅ Short-term gains may occur before penalties hit.
❌ Long-term damage (ranking drops, manual actions) is likely.
⚠️ Algorithm updates (like SpamBrain) are getting better at detection.
Instead of relying on these risky methods, focus on white-hat strategies:
- Earning editorial backlinks through high-quality content .
- Digital PR and expert outreach for natural links .
- Broken link building and unlinked brand mentions .
Google rewards sustainable SEO—so while these "hated" tactics might work temporarily, the best strategy is playing the long game.
What’s your take? Have you tried any of these tactics in 2025? Share your experiences in the comments!
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