What is Cloud Stacking SEO?
Introduction
Cloud stacking SEO refers to a link-building method where many new domains or subdomains are developed to link back to the target website and influence the search engine ranking factor. The idea behind cloud stacking is to create many low-quality links quickly to add more links to the profile and raise the domain metrics.
How Does Cloud Stacking SEO work?
The Basic Concept
Cloud stacking SEO is creating many new domains or subdomains, especially from cheap or even free domain services, and linking them all back to a domain with optimized anchor text. This makes it look like a trend with high popularity and relevancy scores.
Automation Tools
Cloud stacking techniques generally use automation tools and scripts that allow the creation of hundreds or thousands of fake websites quickly. Such domains can be designed to deceive search engines before the domain name is deactivated or neglected. It also installs templated sites and builds links in the various networks of the system.
Link Networks
The mass-generated domains create a dangling link structure in which every new shell connects to the older shells. Linking back to the target domain is established at each new site. This can generate the illusion of an inflated domain authority and relevance score.
Why Choose Cloud Stacking SEO?
Perceived Ranking Gains
The purpose of cloud stacking SEO is manipulating search engine ranking systems to achieve a better rank. The mass network can produce the ‘window dressing’ effect and enhance such parameters as domain authority. This can lead to manipulating the results and gaining temporary positions in the search results.
Difficult to Detect
Search engines are also becoming more competent in detecting and de-indexing such link networks. However, the automation and mass generation of domains makes this technique harder to detect than the classical link schemes. The disposable nature implies that domains can be left after they are penalized or banned.
Risks and Downsides
Search Engine Penalties
The linking of a large number of irrelevant and low-quality sites for the sole purpose of manipulating the search engine is prohibited. If detected, this technique can lead to manual severe penalties, and rankings dropdown. Such schemes have been seen where complete sites have been de-indexed.
Loss of Investment
It is also important to note that much time and effort can be devoted to establishing a cloud-stacking network. If search engines do something like that, then the investment or rankings are gone as well. Further, some low-quality sites might have to be reconstructed to achieve visibility.
Damaged Credibility
Engaging in manipulative SEO practices is detrimental to the reputation of any brand that participates in these practices. This is because rankings may be boosted, but penalties and bans harm integrity in the long run.
Is Cloud Stacking Considered Black Hat SEO?
As its name implies, black hat SEO means trickery and manipulation to gain a high rank in search engine results. Stacking cloud networks is not to provide utility to users or searchers but to leverage algorithms. For this reason, most industry specialists do not recommend cloud stacking as a practice and refer to it as a black hat strategy.
Key Takeaways
– Cloud stacking SEO involves employing automated tools to quickly establish a vast network of poor-quality domains to influence ranking factors such as domain authority and anchor texts.
– These benefits are outweighed by the risks and, at best, bring temporary improvements in rankings. Also, cloud stacking is considered a black hat technique which is not in the best practices of significant search engines and can lead to penalties.
– It is clear that brands should concentrate on the ethical white hat SEO methods that benefit the seeker rather than trying to find ways to crack it with a prominent link. Instead, it is better to aim for long-term results instead of a constant flood of traffic, which can be challenging to maintain.
