What's Your Linking Strategy?

[admin]

The best way to start off this forum is to discuss what is your linking strategy? do you only link with quality content sites relevant to your end users or do you link to any site that will link to you? How many of you pay attention to Alexa or Google PR when considering a link exchange? Post your opinions here. Lets see if there is a common thread..

[specialdelivery]

I don't look at the PR or Alexa when requesting or including a link. These are numbers that change, todays PR 0 may be next months PR 5. It makes no sense to me to limit your link partners based on either of those figures.
What is more annoying is those that wheel and deal with their PR. I am absoloutely amazed at what people think that you should have to do to exchange links with them.

[simons1321]

Steps to determining appropriate link partners.

PR is an important determining factor when linking to another site. PR0 sites and greyed out PR can most often indicate a site that has been penalized in G. Alexa ranking, however, is not a factor that is looked at at all since Alexa rankings can EASILY be spoofed. However, PR does not change from month to month. It's widely known that Google only updates PR about twice a year or every six months or so. Unless the site is penalized or banned, then the PR is usually zapped to 0 or greyed out. Which is why it is important to review your link partners occasionally.

Relevancy is becoming a more and more important factor now a days in SEO. Back in the day it was purely about mass amounts of links coming from anyone and anywhere. Now, I'm noticing that in more competitive industries, relevancy is highly weighted. However, with some niche sites it becomes very difficult to find relevant linking partners, so in those rare cases links from anyone will do.

Spam detection.
One of the biggest factors I look at when linking to someone is whether or not they use "spam" techniques. This includes looking for hidden text, keyword stuffed HTML elements such as alt and title tags, sneaky js and meta redirects, PR spoofing, sites consisting for the sole purpose of adsense, scrapers, affiliate sites, and most often sites that are included in the pharmaceutical, pr0n, and casino/gambling industries as these tend to involve the most spammers.

Three way linking.
We've all gotten an email from these people before. You link from your PR5 site to my site A and i'll give you a link from my site B with a PR1. Oh and by the way my links pages are hosted on a subdomain(which leads me to my next point) of site B with a PR of 0. Um.... NO THANKS! Even if it was a good deal I still wouldn't do it, because 90% of the time you'll get screwed over.

Links pages hosted on a seperate site.
If the site that I want to link to hosts their pages on seperate domain/sub domain is usually a no no.

Blocking the links pages or nofollowing links.
Check those meta robots tags, robots.txt files, and watch out for the nofollow tag. All red flags for me. Whats the point of getting a link from you if you block spiders from crawling them??? Unless you're going to provide me with tons of traffic! But honestly how often does that happen?

So who does that leave to link with? Not a whole lot sometimes, but if you've been doin this for a while you know how to take advantage of advanced search queries, directories, and certain software programs.

And that is my linking strategy. It works very well for most websites. But occassionally we all have to be bad once in a while ;)

[lunatrix Graphic Design]

We have always been of the believe that any link is worthwhile having. Obviously having a link campaign solely to get ahead in the google listings isn't going to get you very far but surely the more links out there on a wide variety of websites is not going to harm you, is it?

[makphisto]

I always look for relevance first. One of my sites sells sandals - so if I can get a link that is, say, womens shoes, that's a good link. I'll do apparel, vacation, etc. I stay away from non-relevant links - no Viagra.

I pay some attention to PR, but good page design means more to me. Just a personal preference I guess.

[simons1321]

any link is worthwhile having

not true.

With all the MFA sites, spammy sites, and sites with questionable material theres a lot of sites out there that can hurt you not only in Google but also the reputation and brand of your site.

If the site is bringing you lots of traffic then the link is probably worth having. But linking to anyone and everyone is not such a good idea.

[giftsofblessings]

I have gift sites and was wondering who I should focus on when finding linking reciprocals. Almost anything could be considered a gift so although I focus on scented wax sites and gift basket sites I still wonder what others I should consider. Any suggestions?

[admin]

I have gift sites and was wondering who I should focus on when finding linking reciprocals. Almost anything could be considered a gift so although I focus on scented wax sites and gift basket sites I still wonder what others I should consider. Any suggestions?


Betty:

You are correct that any type of gift site would be a good site to request a link from because gift sites share the same general target demographic as your site.. and you enhance your end user's experience by providing links to other gift sites. Google's webmaster guidelines at http://google.com/webmasters/guidelines.html suggests:

"A good rule of thumb is whether you'd feel comfortable explaining what you've done to a website that competes with you. Another useful test is to ask, "Does this help my users? Would I do this if search engines didn't exist?" "

Linking to other gift sites benefits your end users. You might also consider related categories such as sites that discuss gift giving and gift ideas. There are many sites on the web that publish information about great gift ideas.

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=gift+ideas

These types of sites would surely benefit your end users!

[gbofb]

I know as we exchange more and more links we will have links pages with several links per page but I wonder how the search engines view these. I have found my link on page 47 of a sites "gift basket" links page and wondered if the search engines even knew I was there. I also have found myself located to a links page that wasnt subdivided and had to search page after page to find my link. Should we deal with these types of exchanges? I try not to have more that 20 links per page before I develope another sub link not just a page 2 of the same link catagory...what do you all think?

[Mike]

I use the KISS approach. I am still learning link strategies every day. I will try to only link with relevant sites. I occasionally have changed what I would like to have the anchor text say and that has worked to a certain degree. Just so I do not look like I am linking soley for the purpose of search rankings i will on occasion actually link to websites that I am not expecting them to link back to me. I figure that might show users and search engines that its not just for ranking purposes.

I have seen it mentioned one time before and never heard about it again, but ideally i would like to exchange links with relevant sites and also have the ability to write my own one page content that would have the link contained within the anchor text. I think that having the ability to have content with 250 words or more in addition to the link would have more link weight, but that is just a speculative theory. Of course i would not want to have any other information on that static page other than the content with the link I submitted.

If LM had that option, or already has that option and I have not found it yet, I would absolutley use it.

[Phil Staff]

Betty,

Keep in mind that most search engines are ran by computer robots so they actually do not have to visually search every page as you mentioned. I don't know of any information that states a search engine will only index up to 'X' number of pages of your site. I know that the LinksManager Reciprocal Link Checker will not search links pages that are more than 500k in raw html file size. This limit was set by LinksManager. So if someone has all their links on one page and that page is extremely large it may prevent the link from being found by LinksManager but that doesn't mean a search engine will not find the link.

Only the search engines themselves can answer your question more specifically.


I have found my link on page 47 of a sites "gift basket" links page and wondered if the search engines even knew I was there. I also have found myself located to a links page that wasnt subdivided and had to search page after page to find my link.

Many times there is some confusion about whether or not your link is buried. The thing to keep in mind is how the search engines actually look at the directory structure of the links pages.

For example lets say I have a category 'Gifts' on my site. In this category I have 200 links. I have the pages set to display only 20 links per page. It does not matter if a link is on the first page or the twentieth page because the address for page 1 and page 20 are still at the same directory level on my server.

I.e.
http://www.domain.com/gifts.html
http://www.domain.com/gifts_pageone.html
http://www.domain.com/gifts_pagetwenty.html

Breaking up your links pages is really only for the aesthetic benefit of your human visitors so they do not have to scroll through 200 links on one page just to find the link they are looking for. As you mentioned you had difficulties with.


Should we deal with these types of exchanges?

That all depends and brings me to the question we recommend people ask themselves.

Would exchanging links with this site benefit my end user?

If the answer is YES then I would exchange links with them.

Phil

[Phil Staff]

Mike,

You wrote:


I think that having the ability to have content with 250 words or more in addition to the link would have more link weight, but that is just a speculative theory. Of course i would not want to have any other information on that static page other than the content with the link I submitted.

If LM had that option, or already has that option and I have not found it yet, I would absolutley use it.

LinksManager does have the capability that you are looking for with the power of LinkLets technology. :D

For example on the LinksManager home page you will find a section named "Quotables" that section is created using a LinkLet in a LinksManager account. It is a little different from what I think you are looking to do; however, the concept is still the same.

One of the things LinkLets can be used for is:

Create relevant text links within an article that appears on your website.

More information on LinkLets is available here: http://www.linksmanager.com/linklets.html .

Linklets are very flexible and a very neat way to change the way link content is published and used.

If you have an idea and would like to pursue a LinkLet like this please open up a support ticket in your LinksManager account and we would be happy to assist you with coming up with a LinkLet that will accomplish your goals.

Phil

[djb]

I am new to linking and I am trying to figure out how to request a link exchange after searching linkpartners. For example, I did a search for the terms career coach and found 6 sites. I didn't know what to do from there to request a link exchange. can someone help? thanks!

[Phil Staff]

Welcome DJB,

You wrote:


how to request a link exchange after searching linkpartners. For example, I did a search for the terms career coach and found 6 sites. I didn't know what to do from there to request a link exchange.

As found in the LinkPartners FAQ - http://linkpartners.com/faq/5.html#3

"From our [LinkPartners] search page, you can either search for link swap partners, or browse websites using the alphabetical categories listed. When you see the results of your search, you can click on the website's name or screenshot to navigate to their website and links pages in a new browser window.

Then, you must determine how that website's webmaster wants to swap links with you. He/she may have a Add Link form to fill out, or perhaps they only provide an email address to contact them at.

If you do not have a LinksManager account, it is a manual process and you will have to locate the add link form and fill it out, or contact the webmaster via his or her email address or contact form on their website."

Hopefully that answers your question.

Thanks,

Phil

[Mike]

Mike,

You wrote:


LinksManager does have the capability that you are looking for with the power of LinkLets technology. :D

For example on the LinksManager home page you will find a section named "Quotables" that section is created using a LinkLet in a LinksManager account. It is a little different from what I think you are looking to do; however, the concept is still the same.

One of the things LinkLets can be used for is:

Create relevant text links within an article that appears on your website.

More information on LinkLets is available here: http://www.linksmanager.com/linklets.html .

Linklets are very flexible and a very neat way to change the way link content is published and used.

If you have an idea and would like to pursue a LinkLet like this please open up a support ticket in your LinksManager account and we would be happy to assist you with coming up with a LinkLet that will accomplish your goals.

Phil


Thanks Phil. I looked in to it and while I beleive that Linklets could be of use to me for other reasons, it is not exactly what I had in mind. I was thinking more along the links of a "featured site" kind of thing that allowed 2 LM partners to exchange links with content on a static html page. It would not have to even be that.

Example:

Say i wanted to exchange links with a web site, instead of anchor text and a brief description, exchanging links with anchor text and also having full page of content regarding that particular site that you are linking too. I would only want to do that if i thought that it would bring a good end user expierence, but also because i beleive that having a significant amount of content wrapped around the anchor text would also give that link more relevance and a a little more weight in the engines.

Again, I like the linklets option and thik i may actually use it (after i learn more about it) for some of the websites that I feel would benefit end users the most in my directory.

On a side note, I went to pubcon in Boston and was pretty sure that you guys were there as i was sitting in on a session and noticed that someone was working on LM, but soemthing i never saw, so I figured it was a representative. I read that some had attended, but kind of figured that before you wrote in the motd login screen it. :)

[Phil Staff]

Thank you for the response Mike.

Yes, there were LinksManager staff at PubCon and you probably noticed our engineers were working on future projects still in development.

I understand what you are looking to do now with the content & link example you provided. This was a topic that we discussed at our last company meeting and we are expecting this strategy to be part of the future of linking.

We are constantly tweaking the system, making improvements and staying on the cutting edge of reciprocal linking as we and our users demand. Hopefully in the future we will be able to come up with a solution along the lines of what you are looking for. When we do we will definately let you know.

Thanks again,

Phil

[Isley]

****o everyone!

I am new at this, but in my point of wiew, the simpler way of doing it is to:


Search for relevant sites
Once found, check the PR
Check if they have a link to their links page on home page
Check if they don't redirect you to another domain
Check if their link pages are well organized. i.e. If they are organized by categories, by alphabetical order, etc


And after my check list is done, if I think a web site is nicely done and is relevant to my site, I would trade links even if their PR is 0. Mine is too, as I just started, but I have worked hard and ranked #1 in some keywords! My work is being paid off.

If someone in this thread have a pet related site and would like to trade, let me know! ;)

[pageperson]

Say i wanted to exchange links with a web site, instead of anchor text and a brief description, exchanging links with anchor text and also having full page of content regarding that particular site that you are linking too.

If I understand correctly, I think you can accomplish this by using an internal link ... for example ...

(link)Linksmanager.com
(anchor text) an editor-based program for initiating and maintaining relevant website links. For a preview of the Linksmanager site, click here ...

The "click here" would link to the "full page of content" you refer to. From there, the reader could move on to the Linksmanager site, return to your links page, or return to your home page.
________
MAGIC FLIGHT LAUNCH BOX (http://vaporizer.org/portable)

[BIZ-GIANT]

HI All....


Im not trying to be a stick in mud here but ummmm... has anyone here ever heard of directories? I have been reading all types of threads and yet to see of Adding your sites to directories which is probably the easiest and fastest way of gaining Good back links that their is "providing they dont use redirects".

Most directories have search engine spiders that visit their sites weekly.Myself as a directory owner trade links with every NEW or OLD Directory that is SEO friendly on a daily bases. Finding FREE Directories isnt hard at all and usually your sites are included within a few days with most directories.

Now please dont get me wrong as i didnt write this thread in an attempt to get webmasters to add thier sites but to give knowledge that i havent seen published here yet.

Have feedback great love to here it.:p

thank you
malcolm

[makphisto]

Now please dont get me wrong as i didnt write this thread in an attempt to get webmasters to add thier sites but to give knowledge that i havent seen published here yet.

http://forums.linkpartners.com/showthread.php?t=27

[maddashin]

I am fairly new at getting links. However I can say that I have a great directory with many categories. When I go to a site and if I go into a directory I often just surf looking for interesting sites and have many that way. I will accept many non-related sites at my site because my feeling is that my product is geared toward women shoppers and I want to offer them links that they will enjoy. I write to sites that I personally like and think are of interest. I have gotten alot more traffic to my site and I do not have that many links nor do I have that many that are related.

maddashin

[ballroomdancer]

I am a mobile DJ who provides service to weddings, schools, corporate, and birthdays. I have been turning done 95% request for link exchange.

For my wedding linking strategy, my policy has been to link with anyone who sells a product such as wedding dresses, party supplies/decorations etc regardless of location. I purchase a lot of goods online via Ebay. More and more people are turning to the internet to purchase goods.

For my wedding service strategy, my policy have been to decline anyone who does not serve my market. ex I serve upper SC, western NC and NE Georgia. I refuse to link with wedding photographers, videographers (s), etc that may serve California.

Any comments? The 2nd paragraph reflects quality linking. Would linking with service providers outside of my market be considered quality linking?

Wayne

Thanks in advance!

[Phil Staff]

Ballroomdancer,

Sorry for the late response. I have addressed this issue with the real estate industry as we have noticed that some 'national' directories are being looked at more closely. Most national strategies use the approach that they will accept and link back to any site under the sun.

I like your strategies and they seem founded under the premise of 'benefiting my end users' which is the mantra of LinksManager and LinkPartners.

The bottom line is to ask, "Is this site specifically beneficial to my visitors?". If the answer is YES then I would consider linking with them *even if the don't link back*.

Here is my article on the Realtor strategies: http://forums.linkpartners.com/showthread.php?t=20

As long as you avoid high volume linking with considerably irrelevant sites you should be okay. I hope this response and my previous article help to answer your questions and address your concerns.

Phil Staff

[gwenstefni]

A linking strategy is a methodology that builds appropriate inbound links to your site and helps you achieve your overall business objectives.To start you must have good content on your site. You should also publish outbound links that your site users will find valuable. Finally, you should have a target list of external sites from which you can request links.In other words, you need to have funds in three banks - a content bank, an outbound link bank and an inbound link bank.
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Gwenstefni

link removed

[The Old Sarge]

Very well stated, Gwenstefni!

[adumpaul]

We need quality link from any high Page Rank website that is very important for improvement of traffic.

[The Old Sarge]

We need quality link from any high Page Rank website that is very important for improvement of traffic.

How does PR of another site influence traffic to your site?

[hannahraasch]

OH! great to see! People are replying the thread which was posted in 2006. But nothing wrong in that, as this question will never get older. And its more interesting to learn new techniques year by year.

[turkeyhomes]

Very well stated, Gwenstefni!

It would have been if it was original:) I found exactly the same statement dated 15 June 2007 at http://www.linkingmatters.com/WhatIsALinkingStrategy.html
I know its sad but whenever anyone posts something that sounds like jargon I can't resist looking to see if it has been used before. Not that there is anything wrong with quoting sources, but I think there is if they are not attributed to that source.

[The Old Sarge]

I agree! And nice detective work.