Member Avatar for HelenLF

I understand that Google penalises websites paying for directory listings.
I have a client who has been approached by a couple of companies recently offering a paid listing on their new iPhone App. Would this count against the website and badly affect their Google ranking?

  • 5 Contributors
  • 5 Replies
  • 120 Views
  • 1 Week Discussion Span
  • Latest Post Latest Post by alyessamoore

Dani AI

Generated

Following 's question and the helpful starter points from and others, here is a concise, practical breakdown of what really matters and what to ask before paying for a listing.

Short summary: Google’s enforcement targets links that are intended to manipulate ranking signals. If the placement is only inside a native iPhone app and not replicated on a crawlable web page, it usually will not act like a normal SEO backlink. If the listing appears on a website (the app maker’s landing page or a web directory) as an HTML link that passes PageRank, treat it as a paid link and handle it under Google’s link-schemes guidance ().

Checklist to use with the vendor:

  • Ask for exact location(s): in-app only, app store listing, and/or web URL(s). Request a sample URL or screenshot.
  • Confirm link mechanics: will it be a clickable HTML link? Will it include anchor text? Will they apply rel="sponsored" or rel="nofollow"?
  • Request measurable reporting: click logs, referral headers, or unique UTM parameters so ROI can be tracked without relying on SEO benefit.
  • Get contract language or screenshots proving the link attributes and location in case you need evidence later.

Negotiation and safeguards:

  • If they refuse to prevent link equity from being passed, consider buying visibility without a followed link (listing text only), or use paid channels (Google Ads / Apple Search Ads) instead.
  • Monitor Google Search Console for manual actions or unusual link patterns and, if necessary, use Google’s disavow guidance as a last resort ().

This keeps the focus on measurable traffic while avoiding unintended SEO risk.

Recommended Answers

All 5 Replies

Member Avatar for twiss

Nope, I don't think so. Google can't crawl mobile apps. Be sure to make clear the conditions, take a look at where the link is placed, and compare with the costs of Google Ads and the like.

Member Avatar for HelenLF

Thanks for the advice, it was really helpful

Member Avatar for Srinagarhousebo

I don't think that google penalize for paid directory submission

Member Avatar for logoonlinepros

With out paid submission you can able to get quality and high pr backlinks paid submission also give you a huge traffic.

Member Avatar for alyessamoore

Ohh, Thanks for the nice info.

Be a part of the DaniWeb community

We're a friendly, industry-focused community of developers, IT pros, digital marketers, and technology enthusiasts meeting, networking, learning, and sharing knowledge.