Level: Beginner / Intermediate
Obtaining links to a website is one method of search engine optimisation. However, quality is far greater than quantity when it comes to inbound links. Let me explain. Here are 4 key pointers.
1. Non-linked
Sometimes websites can mention your websites URL without linking to it by writing it as plain text. It is easy to confuse these with actual links that give actual value to your SEO. If you find a website doing this – approach them to see if you can change it to a real inbound link.
2. Nofollow
Harder to spot are links that include rel=”nofollow” in the HTML code for the link. This means that no SEO value is being passed to your domain; the only benefit is that visitors can still follow the link to your website.
3. Source Website
Relevance is key to getting the most from a link. That applies to the website theme, the web page that contains the link and even the text that is used as the link. The closer they match your own website’s theme, especially your most valued keywords, the better. Gaining a link from a florist’s website when yours is about mobile phones will do you no good at all!
4. Trust
The more popular and trustworthy the other website is, the more value the link from their site to yours will be. How do you know what’s trustworthy? Generally speaking, if the website has been around for a fair amount of time and isn’t a directory or based purely on un-moderated user-generated content, it will be trustworthy. Another way to gauge how trustworthy a website is is to check its PageRank (PR) using the Google Toolbar.
February 23rd, 2009 on 3:04 PM
For budding link builders out there here’s an easy way to spot nofollow links:
Install Mozilla Firefox browser
After that, you’ll need Greasemonkey (https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/748) so the “nofollowed” links on every page you visit will be highlighted in pink for you.
You’ll need to enable the “nofollow highlighter” option either during installation or right after.
That’s all. Now, when you view any web page with a now-follow link it should be highlighted in pink
February 23rd, 2009 on 4:04 PM
Thanks for that David! The SEObook.com toolbar (only available for Firefox at the moment, download here: http://tools.seobook.com/seo-toolbar/ ) also has the ability to highlight nofollows. Definitely recommend it as a quick way to check inbound links too.
March 10th, 2009 on 1:31 PM
Hi, have re read your other posts on linking now! Some useful info on this one as well….
However I would disagree with this bit “isn’t a directory” – some directories are really useful – dMoz, Yahoo Business Directory and Business.com? Also I would say that relevant, niche directories can be VERY powerful for SEO, mainly due to the relevance (which you mention) and the Ontology of the words on the page.
March 10th, 2009 on 2:31 PM
[...] read a nice little blog post about what to look out for when deciding over whether to acquire a link or not. I thought I would [...]
March 10th, 2009 on 3:37 PM
SirBigWig: Thanks! Yes you make some great points
I probably over-simplified this post to fit under the ‘beginner/intermediate’ category, as my intention was just to explain follow/no follow/trust etc. rather than go too in depth.
I could (maybe should?) write an entire post on directories and the pros and cons of the different types, including paid directories and maybe extend to Google Local Business Center listings. Watch this space
March 10th, 2009 on 4:24 PM
Yes good idea! I think directories need re examining… On the back of what you wrote about link acquisition I wrote this blog post..
http://blog.fluidcreativity.co.uk/index.php/link-acquisition/