It started in the most natural way, someone read a post of mine and wrote one in response. I liked the response and respected the blog that it came from. I wanted my readers to know about it. It happened more than once. So I setup a feature called Two in a Row. It looked like this:
Two in a Row
Read this
Leaving a Guy a Place to Stand (the post on my site)Then read this
Giving a Guy a Place to Stand (the post on the other site)
I had built an outlink. Later, when my post became archived, I transferred the outlink to the post.
On the surface, a cynic might say such outlinks only serve the receiving site, but I disagree on several points. Here’s my best thinking on it.
- These outlinks serve readers and serving readers is why we’re here.
- Outlinks to quality sites get readers to associate us with good information, which means they’re likely to return.
- If I combine quality content with quality outlinks, the receiving blogs will be inclined to link back when the occasion arises. After all, they are already reading my blog, or the outlink would never have happened.
- Outlinks connect my content to other quality content which underscores the relevancy of my content and that of the receiver.
All of these values add strength to the community. In terms of community, generosity is always good.
–Me “Liz” Strauss
The rest of this week: More on Links and How Google Ranks Pages
Also, I believe there’s also an SEO benefit in outlinking keywords for your blog. Sort of similar to your earlier post, Liz, as I understand it using well chosen keywords not only benefits the receiving blog, but the originating one too.
At least I think that’s right.
Gerard,
You’re totally right on that point. The reference anchor text can be a benefit too. I just didn’t want to beat that drum too loudly, if you know what I mean. 🙂
Thanks for bringing it up for me.
Liz
i am confused.
Oh Cowboy,
Don’t be confused. That’s my job.
We’re just talking about having sidebars at the bottom.
Liz
Liz,
Outgoing links definitely benefit the originating site. This is how Index sites such as Yahoo and Dmoz.com built their original reputation and this is why Drudgereport is so popular both with Liberals and with Conservatives.
In talking with my clients about various tactics to use to support the Traffic strategy, one of the recommendations that I make is that they make their website into a Portal for a Niche Audience.
As an example, Scott Hansen of Hartford, WI is a designer who does not market to the ultra modern audience or the avant garde. Rather he works with clients who enjoy things like Stained Glass and the architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright and Victorian Garden spots.
Its actually not super easy to find articles which are written about topics which his audience enjoys. Therefore, to build repeat traffic, each page of his website contains five links to recent articles which appeal to his audience. Almost every day a new link replaces one of his old links. This means that his audience does not have to spend hours searching for new articles because they can visit his site twice a week and find articles which appeal to their tastes.
He benefits from the traffic and the audience benefits from the saving of valuable time.
Thanks, James, for taking the time to put this together. This is great information to have. I appreciate it and I’m sure all of our readers do too.
This is fascinating stuff. Outlinks are definitely an underrated way of promoting a blog.
Liz
I completely agree. Outlinking is not helping a competition, but creating richer experiences to our readers.
Hi Jef!
The more folks realize that outlinks are connections that form relationships, the more they will understand their value. 🙂
I agree with you that outlinks are helpful for one website as well. I have been trying to build outlinks for my webiste. Thank you:)