RIP Squidoo Groups
The day we all knew would come has arrived. Squidoo groups are dead and buried, never to be seen again. Weep weep, kinda.
WHEN:
Just a few days ago, Squidoo converted all groups into regular lenses. You can no longer add your lens to a group, and your existing lenses are no longer members of any group.
WHY:
Because groups were turning a bit spammy and useless, and nobody really got any great benefits out of joining a group except the groupmaster. This really isn’t how it should be, so goodbye groups.
BUT DON’T WORRY:
If you had a group, it all still looks pretty much intact, with your modules in their places, and your URL has stayed the same. So links you’ve set up to your group will still work, and Google will continue to index it as before.
GOOGLE RANKING:
So what can you use to replace the wonderful Google Ranking Power of a Squidoo Group? Right now you just have lenses. Groups ranked so well partly because you had instant backlinks to your group just by people adding lenses to it (every lens added linked to your group from their sidebar).
So to replicate the Google Ranking Power you just need to build more backlinks.
How hard can it be 
Lewis
Hello, my name is Lewis :)
I never knew I could make money from squidoo. However, It has earned me a few bucks that I am ...
Hey there thanks for the info. I was looking all over the place for a squidoo group and could not ...
Its sad in one respect - that the backlinks to lenses and groups was great for ranking.
On the flip side ...
Hope I am not too late to join in this discussion which was in October. I have only recently ...
Pingoat is having issues again. It's now pingoat.net 
Wow, Lewis. This is good. Glad you made this post. Part of the reason why I leaned toward one over ...
Comment by Traffic Formula on 22 November 2009:
Thanks for the update, Lewis. Traffic Formula is all about building backlinks. I guess I’d better get busy!
Mike Stokes
Baton Rouge, LA
Comment by Sandy on 22 November 2009:
This is a sad day in Squidoo land. I have joined so many groups in the past to get my traffic up. I have not been the best at building backlinks. No better time to start. Sandyspider on Squidoo
Comment by Dawn on 22 November 2009:
Yes it is sad but I do think it is good that Squidoo continually trys to keep the site as a whole at a good standard.
Much like the banning of a few “favorite” topics a few months ago, it might hurt a little in the short term but over all it will strengthen Squidoo which strengthens all our lens.
We just need to look at it long term!
Comment by Carol Kelly on 22 November 2009:
As with the comment from Sandy, I seem to be missing something in successfully building backlinks. I have followed the tips in my health reports, and raised my traffic, slightly. I’m a little frustrated to tell the truth, but not enough to lose interest. Hoody-hoo, squidoo!
Comment by Karen on 22 November 2009:
I liked having groups. But I guess it will help things to improve on squidoo. We will see.
Comment by Chuck Bartok on 23 November 2009:
OK OK All you Geniuses. Can someone explain in simple Terms “How to Build Backlink” on a Lens?
Comment by Susanna on 23 November 2009:
The group lenses are fine and easy to work with, people can add their links etc. The missing backlink is a pest – more like a blow to the belly – but hey, time for sleeves-up, head-down and off to get more of the precious backlinks
Comment by linda randall on 23 November 2009:
a backlink is when another site, refers readers to yours and vice versa.
say perez hilton had me on the side bar and people clicked on my link and visited my website.
I think that’s what a back link is.
hint hint.. yoooo hooo perez hilton feel free to BACKLINK me LOL
Comment by Tony on 23 November 2009:
This is rather sad, especially as I haven’t had any emails from Squidoo to say that groups are now dead, and on Friday of all days, I decided to change the format of one of my groups, and spent an hour or two working on that. All for nothing obviously
Well, backlinks aside, I see no reason why we can’t create lenses that mimic groups as far as looks and content. The only modules that are missing are the Latest Updates, and the Latest Members, plus of course there is no form to request being added to a group.
I am sure that using Plexo’s, Guestbook Modules, RSS feeds, and maybe a form on a Squidoo related blog that the essential functionality can be replicated pretty well.
The BIG bonus is of course that the updates to the HQ page are much easier and also faster if you create lenses, rather than the old group edit.
In my opinion then, it’s RIP Squidoo Groups, Long Live Squidoo Groups…
Comment by social media marketer on 25 November 2009:
Actually, not hard at all.
Submit to:
1. several website directories with good page rank,
2. submit a couple of articles to article directories
3. leave meaningful comments on topic related blogs
4. submit to a few rss feed directories
and you’re on your way.
Comment by Notebook Netbook Discount Deals on 4 February 2010:
Its sad in one respect – that the backlinks to lenses and groups was great for ranking.
On the flip side it highlights the importance of not just relying on one area/component or site but rather participate in a wider community such the the loss of one service has just a small effect on you strategy.
Comment by rich on 8 February 2010:
Hey there thanks for the info. I was looking all over the place for a squidoo group and could not find one. I did a search on our pal Google and found your site.
Thanks a lot.
Richard