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A link from content block could be considered as more likely to be a true recommendation than a link from a text link advertisement block. Search engines may therefore give extra weight to in-content links while devaluing links that appear to be advertisements. Sites that rent links through link networks usually do place them in a block above, below or to side of content block. When VIPS is implemented, there is a risk that many rented advertisement links could be devalued.
Improved Contextual Analysis
The theme in which your link is placed also will be more important than ever before. Many search engine optimizers have voiced their opinion that �anchor text is everything�; that is, theme of a page linking to a Web site does not parse link relevance, but only anchor text of link does.
With block-level analysis, search engines will be able to recognize theme of any given block more easily. This should have effect of boosting link relevance for links from tightly-themed content blocks, while devaluing links that are in a block with no apparent theme.
Links That Will Always Soar
A search engine optimizer need not fear effects of VIsion-based Page Segmentation. Although VIPS will probably devalue certain types of links that are favored by many SEOs, it will concurrently increase value of themed, in-context links.
I have always stressed value of legitimate links from directories, articles and press releases. These types of links are placed in a content block and are also tightly themed (that is, your target keywords will be near your link).Webmasters who actively build these types of links will benefit from long term rankings even when new twists such as VIPS are added into algorithmic mix. In fact, these algorithmic improvements should improve search relevance and neutralize some of spammier link building methods. And that�s something we should all be happy about.
Andy Hagans is a search engine optimization consultant who specializes in link building and risk management. Visit http://www.andyhagans.com for more information. Mr. Hagans also maintains The Link Building Knowledge Base at http://www.linkbuilding.info to help other webmasters.