tips on Link building and understanding the value of "No Follow" links.
By John Alexander
I thought I'd share just a simple tip on the topic of links that use the Nofollow attribute. Now before you say to yourself that there is no value in having Nofollow links, let's talk about it
just for a bit here.
When it comes to link building, most experts agree that all links are not created equal and you probably already
understand a little bit about the most effective types of link building. In obtaining links, you want to never accidentally do something that could hurt your
link reputation or linking strategy overall.
For example, most people understand that allowing for some topic drift
within link text is quite natural as opposed to having links with the text pointing to your site
using 100% identical link text could potentially cause you some issues because it looks contrived and unnatural.
In the early days, peoples obsession with Google PR would cause certain instances where people would engage in link building farms (not recommended) purchasing links from high PR Web sites (not recommended) or building their link popularity in other unnatural looking
ways such as link sculpting (not recommended.)
Most are aware that some types of links employ a "Nofollow
attribute" which can still look like a link and can certainly bring a visitor to you, but NOT pass forward any Google PR.
The nofollow attribute value in a link is not meant for blocking access to content, or for preventing content to be indexed by search engines.
So then a link using the Nofollow attribute:
--Can be used so a visitor follows the link
--Shows the existence of the link (but only for pages previously indexed.)
--But does NOT Use the Nofollow link for contributing
to ranking or boosting PR.
Therefore, what some people may have concluded that it must be wise only to get straight links that do assist with PR and ranking influence and
perhaps avoid sites or directories that use a Nofollow attribute in the link.
If this seems to be what you think, then how can a Nofollow link be of any possible value?
Here is the tip that some people are not aware of that involves something
called "link diversity"
(which is different than link reputation or link popularity.)
Understanding the value of "No Follow" links.
There is a hidden secondary value
(and a very good reason) to have some link diversity that includes links with the Nofollow attribute, linking to your site along
together with straight regular text links too. Just as it is important to have some topic drift in your linking strategy so as to avoid being contrived and unnatural with your link reputation, so does Google expect a portion of your inbound links to also possess the
"Nofollow attribute."
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When some people become so obsessed with avoiding the use of Nofollow links, it can also make your strategy look somewhat contrived and unnatural. Plus do not forget the value of the link for the sake of the readers who choose to follow it into your Web site.
Remember there is still significant value in building inbound links to your
Web site from other related sites. Ideally, you should look at link building over a
period of time. Make sure and do your homework to find links
that are relevant to your content and ideally links that are
coming in from busy authoritative Web site will benefit
you greatly.
Even links internally from within your own site can be used effectively to
build your click-through traffic and your link reputation.
There is never really any need to stress over link building if
you look at it as an ongoing practice instead of a rushed
solution.
Here is an article first published in Web site Magazine
called:
Stress
Free Link Building
In summary,
these are just a few things to be aware of in your Internet
Marketing efforts. Sometimes the smallest little ideas can be
the ones that make the biggest impact. If you enjoyed this
article, perhaps you'd like get a free
SEO Tip of the Day, or perhaps you would like some
one-on-one SEO coaching.
About John Alexander
John Alexander is Co-director of Training at Search
Engine Workshops offering live, SEO Workshops with his
partner SEO educator Robin Nobles. John
has
taught SEO skills to people from 87 different countries world
wide. John is also Director of Search
Engine Academy with localized Search Engine Academy
training centers where the Complete SEO Mastery Workshop and 6
Month Mentoring program is taught locally to business
owners and individuals in
communities across North America and and
Internationally in Asia and Australia.
