In the old days of the internet, links were the primary communication path between web sites. Search engines were not as sophisticated as today, and search results rather crude. Actually, even today links are reported to be more used than search engine results; but the latter are increasing their share. In a way, this began to change when Google entered the scene. In an effort to make search results more relevant, Google implemented an algoritm that judged the quality of a web site by the number of other sites linking to it. It seemed rather obvious that a popular, much linked-to, site should be of higher relevance than a site with few links pointing to it.
Unfortunately, as webmasters realized this a frantic stampede began. Everybody did whatever they could to secure as many incoming links as possible. One example: In my own field, web hosting reviews, there is a site that has (according to Yahoo) 4,000,000 incoming links pointing to it! Yes, FOUR MILLION links! By comparison, Microsoft.com has only about 3,000,000 incoming links!
I won't speculate on just how those 4,000,000 links were collected, but surely it can't have been by manually asking those 4,000,000 webmasters for a link exchange! And I also doubt that the 4,000,000 webmasters just spontaneously thought "Wow, I will put up a link to this cool web hosting review site"! Yes, even cooler than Microsoft.com, evidently.
As we all know now, Google got tired of having its search results manipulated in this way. So they tweaked their ranking algoritms (one tweak widely known as the dreaded "Florida Update"), to put an end to these methods. They started actively punishing web sites that were caught using devices such as "Free For All" link exchange sites, and implemented many other measures also; too many to mention here.
So, getting many inbound links is a dead concept now? That is what some people claim, but they are wrong! What IS dead is the idea that links are nothing but search engine food. Rather, we are getting back in the direction of the good ol' days, when links were not there just to bait the search bots. Some folks may have forgotten that links really are there to serve as paths of communication for Real People. Inbound links to a web site means paths for humans to enter, and browse the content. And that is what all of us webmasters want: VISITORS!
This also means: stop trying to manipulate search engines. Keep your directory of links, if it does provide some real value to visitors. But if those links are just a messy jumble, hidden somewhere in a dusty corner of your site - repent! Get those links out of the closet, let them breathe some fresh air!
Kai Virihaur is a web developer, researcher, and artist. He runs the hosting finder (the hosting finder), a web hosting directory featuring articles and RSS feeds on web development, web site promotion, and internet marketing.
This article may be used freely as long as this resource box, with intact hyperlink, is included.
Wood Dale Chicago prom limo .. Lockport Chicago limo O’HareWe will begin this topic with one assumption, that our... Read More
Once again I used my wacky test marketing strategy to... Read More
There's no shortage of ways to spend money promoting your... Read More
Proper Use Of Meta tags For A High Google RankingGoogle... Read More
This is the 3rd day of "Free Traffic Course".This day... Read More
If you want to get something from others, the fastest... Read More
To improve our website ranking and internet presence we need... Read More
Nowadays there are just too many people trying to give... Read More
Targeting traffic for your website is as easy as knowing... Read More
In the world of Internet Marketing, and Web site promotion,... Read More
In today's world of website promotion and traffic building, a... Read More
If you're feeling a bit of confusion and frustration about... Read More
The number one question among webmasters is "How can I... Read More
Traffic exchanges are everywhere. A traffic exchange is a clever... Read More
The one thing that any new Webmaster hears when searching... Read More
One problem with websites is that they often go neglected... Read More
The desire of every webmaster and in fact anybody with... Read More
Have you spent a lot of money on advertising with... Read More
If you're feeling a bit of confusion and frustration about... Read More
The importance of link popularity is widely known and many... Read More
"Submit to 10,000 Search Engines" or "Submit to over 200,000... Read More
One of the most popular ways to generate free traffic... Read More
There is a new tool available that promise to do... Read More
Unless you're building a baseball diamond in the middle of... Read More
Considering all of the money you spend on promotion and... Read More
Antigo wedding limo ..One Way Links from High Page Rank Pages are Your... Read More
In search engine optimization, "off page" factors have become more... Read More
The one thing that any new Webmaster hears when searching... Read More
If you are looking at ways to increase traffic to... Read More
There are no hidden secrets on how to rank high... Read More
Be picky about who will link to you; shoot and... Read More
As a result of search engine changes, linking with other... Read More
Link Exchanges also known as "Reciprocal Links" are an arrangement... Read More
Suddenly your site's traffic multiplies. You get "Money Waiting" emails... Read More
Here are 10 great ways to boost your web traffic:1.... Read More
Internet is an ever evolving business platform. Doing business on... Read More
This interesting idea is likely to drive your competitors nuts.It... Read More
Website link popularity is used to indicate how many other... Read More
1. Trade links with other websites. Websites that are related... Read More
You may have heard many times, that getting the e-mail... Read More
"Submit to 10,000 Search Engines" or "Submit to over 200,000... Read More
Nowadays, we have created numerous methods so as to bring... Read More
What are web site keywords and how do I go... Read More
A lot of website owners work tirelessly at increasing their... Read More
1: Original and Fresh Content Present your visitors content they... Read More
It's no secret, the lifeblood of any website is the... Read More
Linking - what a mess if you don't know what's... Read More
Have you noticed that your banner ads rarely get clicked... Read More
Since everyone is so obsessed with ways to increase our... Read More
1. Make all or part of your site into a... Read More
Traffic Building |