(Link building for SEO)

History of Links – Why It’s ImportantTypes of LinksGood vs. Bad LinksFinding Quality LinksLinks for Traffic vs. Links for SEO(Summary)

Internal Content Structure (Siloing)Myths Around LinkbuildingTechniques For Asking For A LinkLink Bait (Viral Content)(Summary)

Origin concept of a ‘hyperlink’ was created in an article by Vannevar Bush “As We May Think”… in 1945 (Wikipedia)Vannevar Bush 1945(A History)

Links are the currency of the internet. Google results are delivered based on perceived relevance to a search query….Plain English = “Survival of the Most Relevant”Technical = Larry Page (PR Formula)(Why Do We Care?)

“…at least 130 + other factors.”(Larry Page Rank Formula)

The Last Five YearsSource: Nielsen NetRatings(The Engines)

Search engines discover new content via linksLinks are signs of trust Trust can aggregate into authority Authority can influence rank Users associate rank with quality Trust + authority + rank + quality = relevancy, which is a key factor in conversion (Why Links?)

Inbound: A client links to your site from their siteYou comment on a blog with a link to an onsite articleThe national AAF organization links to your businessOutbound/ExternalYou link to WikipediaYou link to your partner sitesInternalLink to your contact form(Types ofLinks)

Good = White Hat“Important, authoritative people need to say something (preferably with your keywords) about you (as many as possible). Credit is given to quantity and QUALITY.”(Good vs. Bad Links)

Bad = Black Hat“Used to spam Google and can get you kicked out of the index in a jiffy. Techniques include: doorway pages, link farms, cloaking.”(Good vs. Bad Links)

Courtesy of Audette Media(Finding Quality Links)

(Exercise)Pick a neighbor and work together to make a list of five prospective links for your site (for each of you!)

(Traffic vs. SEO)Not all good links are strictly for SEO, even ‘no follow’ links are worth pursuing if they drive traffic to your site, which end up in conversions!blogs, Twitter, Facebook, etc.Check for no follow links!

Content TreesCars(StrategicContent Structure)

Content TreesCarsChevy(StrategicContent Structure)

Content TreesCarsChevyCorvette(StrategicContent Structure)

Content TreesCarsChevyCorvetteConvertible(StrategicContent Structure)

Myth #1Linking to other sites will ‘leak’ your Page Rank and you shouldn’t do it.VERDICT  MYTH!(Mythbusters)

Myth #2Don't get links from low PR sitesVERDICT  MYTH!(Mythbusters)

Myth #3Don’t Buy LinksVERDICT  BE CAREFUL(Mythbusters)

How Google can tell Paid LinksLabels/content in proximity to Ads/SponsorsInformation on the page “how to buy a link.” Relevance of nearby links/copy. Paid agency code footprint. Someone reports you. (Mythbusters)

Safe Examples of Paid LinksAsk bloggers for reviews of your product. Sponsor a site, event or contest. Donate to a site, event or contest. Create a contest where entries require a post or link back. (Mythbusters)

Yahoo Site ExplorerFirefox Plugins Like:SEO BookSearch QuakeWeb Analytics(Who Links To You?)

Personal is better (than automated)Be specific where the link should be (niche related)Provide anchor text (ex: read more on linkbuilding vs. Smart Solutions Link Building Techniques) and alt textDouble check web address/URL provided(Asking for a Link)

The best way to build links is to create something that others want to link to!(Build Links During A Recession)

A great example of link bait: SEO Book’s 101 Ways To Build Link PopularityCreate a ‘List’, quality content, surveys, join the chamber, blog, DMOZ, old fashioned PR, VIDEO!, tools, contents, giveaways, samples, white paper download, extension or plugin, interviews, games, controversial content, events.(Link Bait)

Where to start a Link building Campaign; http://www.linkbuildingblog.com/2006/08/order_matters_s.htmlAdvanced Link Building; http://www.seomoz.org/articles/advanced-link-building.phpLink Development vs. Traffic Development and Staying with the Times http://www.webmasterworld.com/forum12/3047.htmThe Right honorable Matt Cutts on Link baiting; http://mattcutts.com/blog/seo-advice-linkbait-and-linkbaiting/Unconventional Link building techniqueshttp://www.seobook.com/archives/000895.shtmlLink Building Fundamentals: A Primerhttp://www.audettemedia.com/link-building(Link Resources)

Like blogging, link building is a slow process with many rewards.Be creative! Give something to get something typically works.Play nice, play by Google’s rules and don’t risk getting booted by Matt Cutts!Make a goal – write it now!(Final Thoughts)

Wendy Roe, Sales and MarketingSmart Solutionswendy@smartz.com541.388.4398www.smartz.comTwitter: @smartsolutions