Loading ...Can you believe it? Matt Cutts and Michael Gray, otherwise known as Graywolf, actually agree on something! The two have had a long history of disagreeing on the issue of paid links, but they have come together in a joint effort with a word of caution about hacking websites for links.
Matt says, “We [he and Michael] don’t always see eye-to-eye (Nah, really?!) … but one thing that Michael and I both agree on is that hacking sites to get links is basically pure evil.”
What will happen if you don’t heed this advice? According to Michael, “… your sites are gonna burn in hell.”
This has been a Public Service Announcement brought to you by WebProNews.
UPDATE:
Clearly, based on some of the comments, some of you are unaware that this was intended simply as a fun video. It is a spoof of the Pat Robertson/Al Sharpton PSA about the environment from a year or so ago. You can go see that video here then watch ours. I thought it was funny…
What do you mean “hack” for links? Like copying thier meta tags and content?? This video was not very clear on delivering a message.
The video is just for fun. It’s a JOKE people.
I wonder if this includes all the sites that include comments and the owners don’t do any screening or don’t put a CAPTCHA on. Also would this include all the link farms out there?
Dorks…you know…hacking for links. LOL
Yes I agree this video is a real disappointment, absolutely no detail or explanation.
The video is a spoof of a public service announcement… it isn’t meant to guide your corporate decision making or anything…
2 dorks trying to be hip but only come across as lame and uninsightful.
I bet the site that gets ‘burned’ TWICE is the one that’s been hacked. Google states that they don’t like too many outgoing links especially to ‘bad’ neighbourhoods right?
Why doesn’t the big G use all that ‘knowledge’ to set up an auto-robot/email service: “We suspect your site has been hacked and here’s what we suggest….”
Ooh look! A flying pig
I agree that it is not clear what you mean by hacking websites for links. Another suggestion is that you turn off the feature that auto plays your videos when someone clicks on your links. If I am on the phone I have to always click on the button to stop your video. Love your stuff though…
My site was hacked. Hundreds of pages were added to my site without my knowledge or permission. These pages automatically redirected you to spam sites. These pages also received thousands of inbound links. They now appear as 404 pages, but google analytics still shows the 6000+ links to my site. Hoping it all just goes away.
This is what ‘hacked’ could mean.
Also, um, Matt and Michael were just having fun, I don’t think the video is where they expected you to get you technical information from.
Humor is good…
Have not a clue as to what or how this is even done, or even why anyone would want to do it in the first place. Very confusing and again not very informative.
retarded. what are they talking about? hack somebody elses website and put my links on them? I needed a video to tell me not to do this?
No, it’s a JOKE. jeez… c’mon guys. Really? I know it’s Matt Cutts and all, but that doesn’t mean you need to break out your protractors, call a board meeting and redesign your lives every time he opens his mouth.
Actually, SEOsean has a point – on the “hacking”.
But they say “for links” which does not imply “adding links”. “Hacking to create links” would have been a better phrase if, indeed, adding links to other sites is their topic.
They are clearly talking directly to the people who know what they are talking about. It’s basically a “We’re on to you” video.
I had my site hacked once. Some stupid viagra links were placed on the bottom of my homepage. I got penalized for having them. Hopefully now, Google is only going to go after the hackers and can tell the difference between a hacked site victim and one that’s simply a spam site.
No, it isn’t a ‘we’re on to you’ video, it’s a joke.
They took an obvious subject (hacking is bad) and made an obvious statement (hacking is bad). The joke is that Matt Cutts and Michael Gray, typically don’t agree on much of anything, but they do agree on this. See the Al Sharpton video linked in the description.
Hackers Good – Crackers Bad!
Get it straight people!
Hackers are people just looking for information discovering – they are investigating – only looking
Crackers are the ones that cause trouble intentionally finding ways to cause Havoc!
Loving Matt Cutts’ new bad ass look lol
ha ha …too funny!
OMG some of these comments, heck most of these comments are just too funny. Lighten up everyone! Love the doo Matt.
I’m just making comments to help inform web masters. That is all. Internet Security is a big deal not to be taken lightly.
I fear if this happens to my websites ( others putting redirects on it) or stealing my e mail list,this would be bad. To protect myself and my sites,I do not let anyone put ads in my websites ever.I do put them in my blogs to help other people.If they ruin my blog, I will just put up a new one.
http://www.freewebs.com/foxybird http://nationalhealthcareplanfortheUSA.blogspot.com
I think we need more info what do you mean by hell. I have recently launched a shopping comparison site but haven’t tried any paid links but i am seriously thinking about it.
I had to deal with stuff like this just two days ago. Somebody hacked into one of my blogs, posting over 40 link on each posting, over-riding my CAPTCHA. It is a very annoying practice, but I have now fixed it.
How did you fic the problem ?
this is serious and seems to be happening plenty
please advis soonest
When did Matt shave his head…almost didn’t recognize him..lol. So we can’t hack websites for links?
It is just a joke. Wow, you guys need to get out more. Relax. It’s just for fun.
Problem is that Google reps should not be associating with the likes of Gray.
Matt encourages Gray in attempts to get links by ‘attack hooks’ (see their) twitter streams) – but as several others on twitter pointed out, this clearly amounts to defamation/slander in some cases. When you damage someone’s reputation by making unbacked accusations in public, this costs real $$ (see recent libel cases for precedent). Libel-for-links is MUCH worse ethically than cash-for-links, and Google should not encourage this practice nor associate with those who do it.
Looks like an open invitation for “negative SEO” ??
So, is like hell in this sense a complete separation from Google? Wouldn’t wanna go there.
A cut-to-the-chase video which I enjoyed watching. Probably an idea to make it a more in-depth so we understand all the points being made.
I don’t even know what hacking for links means? Explain it please. I’ve had websites since 1998 and I don’t know what you’re talking about. A little technical info would be helpful.
I dont know what is more funny.. the video or the level of seriousness of the comments.
I will be visiting this the rest of the day to see who else goes on “red alert” over this video..
LOL!
any way
Thanks for the video and information
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Yes, it’s really evil. I always wish they would suffer for it.
My competitor been hacking for links
how do I turn them in????
negative SEO works !!!!!
My competitor been hacking for links
how do I turn them in???? LOL
Negative SEO works!!!!!!
Thanks Matt keep adding on the penilties I love them!!!
Very funny video. It’s good to have fun even when we all don’t agree. That is part of the fun.
I want to know what the bet was between Matt and the other Googlers he works with for the shave?
Thanks for sharing the information and for the video. Really its quite interesting
Not sure what is exactly meant here.
Clearly, based on some of the comments, some of you are unaware that this was intended simply as a fun video. It is a spoof of the Pat Robertson/Al Sharpton PSA about the environment from a year or so ago. You can go see that video here then watch ours. I thought it was funny…
Howdy just wanted to give you a brief heads up and let you know a few of the images aren’t loading properly. I’m not sure why but I think its a linking issue. I’ve tried it in two different internet browsers and both show the same results.
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Right agreed. Hacking someone’s site is pure evil especially to deface or add your own links. The only reason I hack a site is to test client’s site for security and let them know the measures needed to shore it up.
Putting your links on another site that your are not authorized to do so is plain stupid and unethical. If you are not smart enough to get your site ranked you should find someone or firm that can do it for you.
I would equate this behavior to some petty criminal that does this as someone that should be on “America’s Dumbest Criminals”.
If I was to piss off Google I might as well go for their throat instead of playing these petty little games.
The Honeypot project is useful deterrent to hackers and is a non-profit outfit. I would suggest starting there to avoid common known hackers from even going to your site.