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LINK LOVE for Etiquette or SEO?

By
Home Stager

 

There has been a lot of discussion about links recently.  I think if we all take some simple steps we can really help each other out.  It is a common practice on Active Rain to link other people in our blogs, it is good blogging etiquette.  If you are writing about something that was inspired by another AR member it is good blogging practice to link back to the person or to their original blog.  Makes sense, right?

I am proposing that we just take this simple practice on small step further.  I was reading FRANK LL0SA, Virginia Real Estate's blog about Project Link for Charity! .  Frank is donating money to charity for every link he receives.  You can read more about that on Frank's blog.  I think it is a great idea. 

What I am proposing is LINK LOVE for the sake of love or etiquette.  Whenever you link someone in your blog why not take an extra two seconds and link their website.  I just did this above when I mentioned Frank.  Virginia Real Estate goes directly back to his website.  *look for more link love in the rest of the blog.

If you go to the AR search feature and type in your name you will probably see the many people have referenced you in their blogs. Just think, if every person that ever mentioned you gave a link to your website you would be in Google heaven. Searching your name is a great thing to do anyway. Sometimes people write a great blog about you and for one reason or another you never find it. Or conversely maybe you've stepped on someone's toes and they are blowing up the net with hate blogs about you.  Either way, it is nice to know.  (The phrase "blowing up" is a colloquialism I learned from my pal Marci Toliver,* Fresh Eye Designs.

OK so how do you put this into practice.  First you should always use the AR search feature before blogging.  Read more about that here. Now that you know what you are going to write about and you have decided who to link in your blog you are all set.  Not sure how to use the link feature on AR, you can check out  Kristal Kraft,* Denver Real Estate's tutorial on linking How to Create a Link.  There are all sorts of handy tutorials on the very bottom of KK's profile.  You should check them all out.  

Now the last thing you need to remember is that blogs containing Links need to be public in order for the links to count.  I think that is right - SEO experts can chime in on that in the comments.  One other note about comments.  Links left in comments do not count for SEO or anything else for that matter, so there is no point in spamming people with your link in comments.  It is also poor blogging etiquette.  

I'd like to know what you all think of the Link Love for Love program.  If you would like to give me some Link Love can't promise to send you any money but I think a cookie would be in order!  Feedback on this idea is strongly encouraged. 

 

Comments (59)

Maureen Maureen
Orangeburg, NY
John - I read the article you posted in your comment.   Let me preface this by saying I am not an expert in SEO or how Google rates links, but what I am proposing is not a link exchange or a paid link service.  I am suggesting that when you talk about a fellow blogger in a natural and related way that you link to their main website.  This is not link exchange.  It is using a text rich link within your blog that points to someone else. 

I'd love to hear what some of the real SEO experts have to say about this.  Anyone???
Jun 10, 2007 01:19 AM
John Occhi
AZ Veteran Notary Services - Marana, AZ
Mobile Notary Public/Certified Loan Signing Agent

Maureen,

This is a really great idea that you have.  I have been generous with links to AR blogs in the past - yet for some reason it never occurred to me to link to their actual website.

I have another little tip about outbound links - When I am writing and come across a term that I think can benefit with either a clearer explanation, I will link to Wikipedia.  To take this a step further, I will also Google terms and link to them - this is especially helpful when providing a resource.

As an example, I published an article yesterday about mistakes homeowners make when selling a home.  In order to back up my claims on the price of rehab materials, I did a Google search and found an appropriate website.  Of course at the end of the article I had to put in a disclaimer that this was just research and not an endorsement of any product, company or website.

Now Have a Blessed Day,

John Occhi, Hemet REALTOR

Jun 10, 2007 03:21 AM
Maureen Maureen
Orangeburg, NY
Hey John - I'm still not clear on how outbound links help our SEO.  Your article was very informative - a great resource.  
Jun 10, 2007 04:02 AM
"The Lovely Wife" The One And Only TLW.
President-Tutas Towne Realty, Inc. - Kissimmee, FL

Maureen...

Great post. I was wondering if someone would eventually put up something like this.

Link love is really important. All you need is Love. La La La La :)

TLW...ROAR!

Jun 10, 2007 04:48 AM
Scott Gormley
Oak Valley Mortgage-California Home Loans and Refinancing - Chico, CA

Linking brings it all together. You simply need to make sure that the links are relevant and informative.

Scott

Jun 10, 2007 05:52 AM
Abraham Chaffin
Sand Shell Realty - Cambria, CA
Cambria Real Estate

I'm feeling lots of love in here <3

Links are a great way to show support of other members of the community and give to those around you! 

Jun 10, 2007 07:26 AM
Cyndee Haydon
Charles Rutenberg Realty - Clearwater, FL
727-710-8035 Clearwater, Beach Short Sales Luxury Condos &Homes
Maureen - I really enjoyed your post and think that's a fabulous suggestion - way to explain it well - both the technique and the purpose. I agree Link love is god.
Jun 10, 2007 07:49 AM
Julia Fedak
Platinum Home Designs - Burlington, ON
IRIS, CSP

Thanks for the info, Maureen! I'll try! I need to get myself a "techie" to do all this stuff for me----I like to design, decorate and stage!

Julia

Jun 10, 2007 12:25 PM
Ryan Hukill - Edmond
405home @ ERA Courtyard - Edmond, OK
Realtor, Team Lead

Maureen, this is a FANTASTIC idea and I hope to see it catch on as common practice. I wrote a blog a while back about referencing each other on our websites also and if we all take the time to help out our AR buddies in other markets, we could really drive each others' rankings up. Thanks for the suggestions and the tutorial for those who needed it. I hope this TAKES OFF!

In fact, it might even be a good idea for us to go back and edit some of our recent posts where we've referenced others' blogs and add their websites to get this going strong!

Jun 10, 2007 04:40 PM
Tony Gallegos
Cognicorp Mortgage Banking Advisory - Marietta, GA
Very interesting read. I have put a lot of thought into linking and this is helpful.
Jun 10, 2007 05:02 PM
No Longer Available
White Rock, BC
Hey Maureen,  another great thoughtful and insightful post.  What would we all do with out you.    I certainly link when I can, but have not always linked to a web sight.  I will do this from now on.
Jun 11, 2007 01:07 AM
Jim Crawford
Long & Foster - Fredericksburg, VA
Jim Crawford Broker Associate Fredericksburg VA
Great post, and observation!
Jun 11, 2007 01:10 AM
Dianne Barody
Century 21 AmeriSouth Realty - Pensacola, FL
Pensacola Florida Real Estate
Maureen, thank you for the information.  I am still working my way around on this techie stuff.
Jun 11, 2007 03:46 AM
Patricia Beck
RE/MAX Properties, Inc., ABR, GRI, SRES - Colorado Springs, CO
Colorado Springs Realty
Thanks for the post Karen, this is a great idea...you break it down into simple pieces for all of the readers to digest.  I also like the idea of doing a search on a topic before writing a post (oops, I don't usually do that!!)
Jun 11, 2007 08:36 AM
Mesa, Arizona Real Estate Mesa Arizona Realtor
Homes Arizona Real Estate LLC - Mesa, AZ
AzLadyInRed

Maureen, fabulous and informative post with lots of good information and comments. I've learned the link love and have used it for specific blogs in AR.....never thought to link it to the website. Bookmarked and rated a 5!! Thanks for the post.

Jul 01, 2007 12:42 PM
Patricia Ebrahimi
SHOW SMART! HOME STAGING & Color Consultant - Rockville, MD
Home Staging the Washington DC Area from Rockville MD
And I was just about to get around to looking into how to possibly insert a link into my comments on AR.  Then, I was proposing to myself how it might be useful to add links to my blogs, etc, etc, etc.  THANK YOU for lighting the path!!!  Do you think I should consider picking up the pace on my hi-techness?
Jul 07, 2007 03:59 AM
Maureen Maureen
Orangeburg, NY

Patricia - You're doing great.  Everything I know I learned right here. We are lucky to have some of the most generous teachers!

Terri - Go forth and link love.  

Jul 07, 2007 04:08 AM
Abby Roselli
ALR Home Staging and Showcasing, LLC - Staten Island, NY
Staten Island Home Stager

Thanks for the info.  I have yet to do this...shame on me! :( 

 

Jul 07, 2007 04:16 AM
Maureen Maureen
Orangeburg, NY
Abby - get on it, do it now, you will feel so much LOVE.
Jul 07, 2007 04:18 AM
Anonymous
Terrylynn Fisher, Diablo Realty-StagersLIST.com Buy Stage Sell

Maureen, great info, you just might become my idol too.  Thanks Karen Dembsky for mentioning it.  Lots of wisdom here for the taking, and thanks to the generosity of all for giving. 

Sep 06, 2008 03:44 PM
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