I was recently asked how I manage link exchanges. I'm probably what you would call a Lazy Linker, focusing more heavily on internal link structure and quality content. Of course, this is the "white hat" approach, which I prefer. Obviously a proactive link exchange campaign can be very beneficial, but I also find it somewhat frustrating. People simply dont respond to these requests like they used to...
My 'lazy' white-hat approach to Linking and Link Exchanges:
- I freely link out to relevant information and resources whenever possible, and especially if it is particularly useful within the context. This type of linking is usually done within content areas on static pages, or within forum/blog posts. No reciprocal linking is expected, of course. It is meant as a benefit to my readers.
- I use affiliate links and accept paid links on some areas, pages, sites. This is done through affiliate networks/programs, Text Link Ads, PayPerPost, Performancing Partners, etc. I filter these very selectively, am paid for them, and obviously dont expect linking in return.
- I prefer for people to link to one of my pages/sites because it is relevant within their own content and because it is a resource they want to share with their visitors. Unsolicited is the best type of inbound link you can get. Like my own outbound linking as explained above, I dont feel obligated to reciprocate the linking... though I do keep an eye on inbound links and the sites they are on, and will often link back if I find a resource that my readers would enjoy.
- I dont have time to manage mass link exchanges, so I focus on writing quality (link worthy) content instead - and also on easy link-building resources like Technorati. From time to time I will outsource link exchanging if I am focusing on a particular site (usually new) or a specific promotion.
- I do pay special attention to the sites/links/products of the people that participate on my forum or comment on my blog(s) and will often approach people for a link exchange if its a great match for us both. This is usually done through Private Message at the forum and involves relevant links on internal content pages.
I'm much more likely to use these methods for gaining inbound links than to reply to the crazy number of random requests I get via email from people I dont know... or to attempt to mass email linking requests out myself.
Your thoughts and ideas are welcomed of course - just use the Reply box below 😉
Technorati Tags: linking, link exchanges, inbound links, internal links, outbound links, link strategy, white hat
About Lynn Terry
Well said Lynn. I agree, link exchanging and spending an enourmous amount of time and energy on chasing link exchanges is no longer effective and doesn't reap the good results quality content does. What I like doing is providing quality content and articles, which usually attract targeted & relevant links on their own. Linking out from my blog I'm finding is serving as a great way of building links indirectly also. People often appreciate you mentioning them in a post, so either add you to their blogroll or mention you in a post.
I agree Sarah - Social Networking is a great method of building quality links and networking within your industry 😉
I enjoy the "lazy linker" strategy and apply it regularly myself. 🙂
Echoing what Sarah's said, I do find bloggers are more willing to link to you once you've link to them. It may not be right away, but they'll probably add you to their feed reader and scan your entries until they find one that fits. It's something I do. 😉
I also visit the URLs of my commenters and some may end up on my blogroll. On that same note, I'm also selective with the URLs left when someone leaves a comment (I'm lax on certain blogs, though). If the comment is valid and helpful, but the site it links to is clearly spam or MFA, then I delete the URL and leave the comment. Often I'll e-mail the commenter and ask for an alternate URL, time willing.
The lesson in that is to be mindful of the sites you link to in comments and make sure it's not a bad neighborhood. Participation in the community means being respectful of the other websites and their audience.
And since you were asking for other ideas (LOL), a while back, I wrote a post called Three Creative Link Building Techniques outlining ways to gain one-way links to your blog or website. It explores giving something away, having a contest, and the tried & true giving away something of value (i.e. make a viral product/ebook).
~ Teli
Excellent - thanks for the link, Teli! 😉
amazing very nice posts and very helpful too.
Lynn, what do you think of James Brausch's Hermusa for link building? His url is http://www.hermusa.com
I havent tried it. Have you?
HI i read your article its very nice
Thank you 🙂