Are You Affected By the Shopify Spam Backlink Attack?
Over 70% of Shopify stores have been affected by the latest Spam Backlink attack, which has resulted in a drop in Traffic and Revenue through SEO.
Have you experienced a drop? Then, most likely, your store has been affected.
Don’t fear. At Kia Ora Digital, we are official Shopify experts and partners, which means we have the experience and expertise to restore your rankings and get your store back on track. We’ve worked with hundreds of Shopify stores to help them maximise their revenue and SEO performance.
Here we’ll give you a rundown of what you need to know in regards to the latest Spam Backlink attack, and how to tell if your store’s been affected.
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What is the Shopify Spam Backlink Attack?
The recent attack involves the proliferation of spam backlinks that appear to be harmless at first glance but can wreak havoc on your site’s SEO performance.
These backlinks often end in “.html?” and many of them point to Shopify image web pages. While they might seem like minor nuisances, these links can cause substantial damage if left unchecked.
These spam backlinks are typically generated through automated tools or malicious bots that aim to flood your website’s backlink profile with low-quality or irrelevant links. The purpose of these attacks can vary – from attempting to manipulate search engine rankings to simply causing chaos and confusion among website owners.
In any case, the result is the same: a decrease in the quality of your backlink profile, which can lead to a drop in search rankings and, consequently, a loss of traffic and revenue.
How Does This Affect Your Shopify Store?
Search engines like Google use backlinks as one of the key factors in determining a website’s authority and relevance.
A healthy backlink profile, composed of high-quality, relevant links from authoritative websites, can significantly boost your site’s SEO performance. However, when your Shopify store is flooded with spammy backlinks, it sends a signal to search engines that your site might be engaging in manipulative practices or that it is associated with low-quality websites.
As a result, your site’s rankings can suffer, leading to a decrease in organic traffic. This drop in traffic directly impacts your store’s revenue, as fewer visitors translate to fewer potential customers. The longer these spam backlinks remain in your site’s backlink profile, the more damage they can cause, making it crucial to address the issue as soon as possible.
Identifying the Problem
One of the first steps in combating this spam backlink attack is identifying whether your Shopify store has been affected. There are several indicators to look out for:
- Sudden Drop in Traffic: If you notice a sudden and unexplained drop in organic traffic, it could be a sign that your site’s SEO performance has been compromised by spam backlinks.
- Backlink Profile Analysis: Use tools like Google Search Console or Ahrefs to analyse your site’s backlink profile. Look for any suspicious links that have appeared recently, particularly those ending in “.html?” or pointing to Shopify image web pages.
- Google Penalty Warnings: In some cases, Google may issue a manual penalty if it detects manipulative backlink practices. Check your Google Search Console account for any warnings or notifications from Google.
- Decreased Rankings: Monitor your site’s search engine rankings for key keywords. If you see a noticeable drop in rankings across multiple keywords, it could be due to the presence of spammy backlinks.
Why It’s Important to Act Now
The longer you wait to address the spam backlink attack, the more difficult it becomes to recover lost traffic and revenue.
Google’s algorithms are constantly evolving, and it’s essential to maintain a clean and healthy backlink profile to stay competitive in the search engine rankings. By taking prompt action, you can minimise the damage caused by spammy backlinks and begin the process of restoring your site’s SEO performance.
Ignoring the issue not only risks further drops in traffic but also puts your website at risk of a manual penalty from Google. Such penalties can be challenging to recover from and may result in long-term damage to your site’s visibility and revenue potential. Therefore, it’s crucial to act swiftly and decisively to protect your Shopify store.
How We Can Help
At Kia Ora Digital, we understand the challenges that e-commerce businesses face when dealing with spammy backlinks and other SEO issues.
Our team specialises in SEO Penalty Recovery and can help you navigate the complexities of restoring your site’s rankings and traffic. We offer comprehensive SEO audits, disavow link services, and ongoing monitoring to ensure that your site remains in good standing with search engines.
In addition to our penalty recovery services, we provide ongoing SEO support to help you build a strong and resilient online presence. From content creation to link-building strategies, we’re here to help you achieve sustainable growth and success in the competitive e-commerce landscape.
We’ve also built a Revenue Forecast tool which helps e-commerce businesses to get ahead by forecasting how much extra revenue they can make by ranking for certain keywords. Imagine knowing which keywords will make you the most revenue, then being able to tailor your marketing strategies around that knowledge. That’s why we call it the Crystal Ball of SEO!
This award-winning tool was recently recognised for innovation at the 2024 APAC Search Awards, and also the Global Search Awards. It’s just another way that we’re helping businesses to succeed online.
Need Help? Get a FREE SEO Report Today
If you’re unsure whether your Shopify store has been affected by the spam backlink attack, we’re here to help. We offer FREE SEO audits to help you assess the health of your website and identify any potential issues. Simply reach out to us, and we’ll provide you with a detailed analysis of your site’s backlink profile and overall SEO performance.
Don’t let spammy backlinks hold your Shopify store back. Take action today to protect your site and recover lost traffic. Contact us today for expert SEO support and get your website back on track for success.
