AR Tutorials - How To Add Links To Your Blog Posts

And How To Anchor Links Properly

How To Add LinksThe request for a video tutorial on how to add links to your blog posts came from several people, both in public and in private.

Once again, for many of you this may seem pedantic. But if people are asking, that means they don't know. And considering it's importance, it's best not to assume that people know. So, let's make this educational for more than just those who don't know how to link yet.

It's important to know more than the mechanics. It's important to know the right way to link as well.

If I want to give Nick M some link love, there are a couple of ways I can do it.

I can do this: Click Here to read Nick's Blog.

Or this: Read Nick's Blog.

But the best way to give him link love is like this: Nicolas M - REALTOR® in Palm Beach, South Florida.

Nicolas Massimini - REALTOR® in Palm Beach, South Florida

Why? Because the link "anchor text" is very important.

And it has to do with relevancy and helping the search engines understand what a page is about. A link that is sent using relevant anchor text is more valuable to your search engine optimization than one that is not. "Click here" adds no value to Nick at all and in fact may even hurt. What you are saying to the search engines is that Nick's page is about "click here." If enough people did that to Nick, he might be on the first page of google when you search for Click Here, but that's probably not what he wants to be found for.

"Nicolas M - REALTOR® in Palm Beach, South Florida" is relevant to the content on his site. What we are saying, to both the person clicking the link and to the search engines reading the page is "this page is about Nick, a REALTOR® in Palm Beach." I'm willing to bet that's the search term Nick is going after - "Palm Beach Realtor."

We all get lazy. I do too. Sometimes I'm simply not paying attention and don't write good anchor text for my links, but it's always a mistake when I don't pay attention to how I'm linking.

Here's the video:


Online Videos by Veoh.com

Note: I mention one of the more famous anchor text pranks, but I misquoted. It was actually on the term "miserable failure."

 
Post is included in group: Active Rain Newbies
Post is included in group: Blogging & SEO
Post is included in group: The Art Of Marketing You
Post is included in group: Online Marketing - Tips, Advice, Wisdom
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54 Comments on AR Tutorials - How To Add Links To Your Blog Posts

Thanks for the reminder Jeff, I sometimes forget as well and I should know better.

10/18/2007 09:53 PM by Jay McGillicuddy~Real Estate Broker (Prudential Verani Realty)


Jeff, you have made this way to easy. Now I have two taks from this blog.

1 is to complete this blog by doing as you have done

2 is to beable to do a video as you have.

Thanks for the info.

10/18/2007 09:56 PM by Susan Trombley Re/Max Broker Raleigh NC & Surrounding Areas (Re/Max Hometown)


Jeff,
As always, thanks for the valuable information and advice.  This makes perfect sense.  How many sites out there does Google think are about "click here"?

10/18/2007 10:01 PM by David and Kristin Small, REALTORS®- Myrtle Beach Real Estate (Eagle Realty- Myrtle Beach)


"Click Here" gets you adobe.  LOL.  In every instance, it says if you want to download Adobe for free Click Here. 

Thanks for the advice on anchor words.

10/18/2007 10:14 PM by Bob Carney Licensed MD/PA Real Estate Agent (Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc.)


Thank you!  Often, what is clear as day to people that have been around for a while is elusive to those still learning.  Thanks for spelling it out  :)

10/18/2007 10:21 PM by Chico CA Real Estate by Sandi Bauman, Chico CA Realtor (Chico Homes Real Estate)


I've learned so much about SEO from bloggers here at AR. I already knew about this one, but thought I'd say thanks on behalf of everyone who needs to know, and just because you're always providing helpful advice. Thanks!

10/18/2007 11:07 PM by Lisa Hill (Daytona Beach REALTOR®) (Adams Cameron and Company)


Jay... this was a reminder to myself as much as anyone else!

Susan... making one of these videos is actually very simple as well. Someone has already requested I do a video on how to create how to videos. So, I probably will. :)

Roberta... no, that doesn't work. But this does, Mothers Fighting For Others. :)

10/18/2007 11:40 PM by Jeff Turner (Real Estate Shows)


David and Kristin, as Bob points out the top link is to Adobe Acrobat, number two is Adobe Shockwave (Flash) and the third to Apple's QuickTime, three of the most downloaded pieces of software on earth. :)

Bob... :)

Sandy... my pleasure.

Lisa... thank you. 

10/18/2007 11:40 PM by Jeff Turner (Real Estate Shows)


Hello Jeff, I mentioned you as the one that actually caused me to start blogging. I can't link here but you will see it 100,000 ... It got featured, yeah!

This tutorial series Jeff is absolutely wonderful. You have put things in lay terms with explainations thaat anyone can understand. They are so appreciated. Of course I book marked them but I wanted to tell you that they are totally awesome, as are you!

William

10/19/2007 01:05 AM by San Diego Real Estate Voice authored by William Johnson GRI CRS e-PRO (RE/MAX Associates)


This is AWESOME!!  I have a few people I invited to AR who have asked me about "this" so I'll just forward them your post.  (I've explained it before but your verbage is different so hopefully it will stick!)

THANKS!  Keep educating...you're awesome at it!

10/19/2007 05:53 AM by Real Estate Specialist | Brandon, FL | Susie Roscoe (Signature Realty Associates)


Jeff - Thanks again for another informative tutorial.  I appreciated the reminder regarding linking and how important it is to but some thought into how it is accomplished,

10/19/2007 07:23 AM by Jennifer Fivelsdal, Rhinebeck NY (Keller Williams Realty)


Jeff,

Very Helpful!! Nick Who???.. Just Kidding Nick :0)

Tom Weiss

10/19/2007 07:44 AM by Thomas Weiss (Thomas R. Weiss)


I know that Google has put less emphasis on links from blogs.  Anyone have any additional information on this?

10/19/2007 07:52 AM by Martin Abeshaus (ZIPVO)


that was great, but HOW MUCH TIME did you spend preparing that???? I am REALLY impressed!!!!!

10/19/2007 08:49 AM by Bill & Barbara Jo - Florida Realty Professional - AHWD (Charles Rutenberg Realty)


William... thank you!

Susie... excellent. Let me know if it does stick.

Jennifer... thank you.

10/19/2007 09:22 AM by Jeff Turner (Real Estate Shows)


Thomas... I just picked a random name... I don't even know who Nick is. :)

 

10/19/2007 09:23 AM by Jeff Turner (Real Estate Shows)


Martin... I have not heard this, but I'll do some research.

Bill & Barbara... the actual tutorials are done in real time, so it took me as long as the video is. I wrote what you saw on screen in about five minutes as well. The longest part of this process is compressing, uploading and waiting for the video to encode on the Veoh site. In some cases that takes a couple of hours.

10/19/2007 09:23 AM by Jeff Turner (Real Estate Shows)


Thanks for this tip.  I never new this about the links. It gives me more ideas.

10/19/2007 10:56 AM by Dave Cheatham (Indigo)


Dave... glad to assis with the anchor text info.

10/19/2007 11:58 AM by Jeff Turner (Real Estate Shows)


Jeff this is an awesome post (as usual). Best of luck and keep doing what you do.

10/19/2007 12:44 PM by Vincent Martinez (Prudential Network of Homes)


Jeff,

I love the intro on your video - too cool.  I would ask how you did it but I am guessing it is a Mac thing. 

10/19/2007 08:24 PM by Rita Taylor | Sanford NC Real Estate & Homes for Sale in Sanford North Carolina (Strother Real Estate)


An excellent tutorial telling it like it is.. you're a goldmine of resources!! This is how it works..! plus Nick gets some love. :)

Jeff, owner of cost effective real estate shows that offer alternatives to costly virtual tours,thanks for including me as your 'guest'. I am forever immortalized via AR!! ... like a carving on an Egyptian wall..! 

seriously though.. very humbling. now i guess its time to clean my website up a little, eh?

hey, doesn't that spell checker have the word macaroni in it? or is it mississippi??
now if i can still hide from the ef-bee-eye, i'll be good..! HA! ;^)

 

10/19/2007 08:50 PM by Nick M -Realtor®-Appraiser in West Palm- South Florida Real Estate Appraiser (Certified Residential Appraiser- West Palm Beach Real Estate)


PHENOMINAL!!!!!! I'm a subscriber now! When are you going to make a video about making videos? ;-)

10/20/2007 08:59 AM by Elizabeth Nieves - Bilingual Raleigh - Durham North Carolina Real Estate Team (The Elizabeth Nieves Realty Group @ Keller Williams)


Jeff - Terrific advice. I have been on a mission myself to help people here is regards to this. All week whenever I have visited someones blog and they have not been using anchor text I have been pointing it out and showing them how to do it properly so that they get proper google juice from it. There are so many that don't even use any anchor text and just throw in their web address.

10/20/2007 09:37 AM by Bill Gassett Metrowest Massachusetts Real Estate (RE/MAX Executive Realty)


I never even thought about that.  That is an excellent point!  We will have to get together for a lunch with Johnny Evarts pretty soon here!

10/20/2007 08:23 PM by Classic Property Management of the Antelope Valley - Jonathan Mitchell (Classic Property Management)


Vincent... thank you.

Rita... in this case it truly is a Mac thing. I created the video in Pages, Apple's answer to Powerpoint and then added the sound effects in iMovie.

 

10/21/2007 12:15 AM by Jeff Turner (Real Estate Shows)


Nick... nicely done. :)

Bill... that's an excellent mission!

Kotambu... thank you. 

10/21/2007 12:16 AM by Jeff Turner (Real Estate Shows)


Jonathon... Hey, I do know about it and often forget to do it. Which is worse? Yes, let's do that soon!

10/21/2007 12:17 AM by Jeff Turner (Real Estate Shows)


Thanks so much for the video. It has helped me already and now understand a ilttle more regarding the use of this.

THANKS !
Keith Hoffman
LoansAreFree.com

 

10/21/2007 09:51 AM by Keith Hoffman - 1st Advantage Mortgage Residential Mortgage Specialist (1st Advantage Mortgage)


WOW! This is day two on Activerain - or possibly still day one as I logged on last night and have barely left the room.... thank you for this information - I have bookmarked it for future use.

I am looking for some advice - I would like to be linked to two regions - Winnipeg, Manitoba and Oakbank, Manitoba. In my attempt to cover both regions I have mistakenly set up two profiles. Is there a way you can link within your blog or profile to two regions in close proximity to each other???

Thank You!!

Sharon

10/21/2007 11:37 AM by Sharon Lancaster Re/max professionals, Winnipeg, Manitoba (Re/max professionals, Winnipeg, Manitoba)


Jeff, as usual, BRILLIANT.  The term "anchor text" is not well defined sometimes.

Another use?  I Deep linked my website from the home page.  Using the Anchor text, I linked from the body of my home page to other pages in my site.  Seems to be working for Google anyway....

10/21/2007 07:14 PM by Greg Fox (Realty World Wichita)


Hi Jeff,

This may seem like a silly question but..... When you link something in AR, the anchor text gives you a drop down with the option to either stay in the same window or open into a new window.  Your tutorial illustrated you typing something into that box and leaving the last box or the description box empty.  So does that mean we can just type into the box over the wording that says open in new window? 

 

Lisa

10/21/2007 08:19 PM by Pascack Valley Real Estate>> Lisa and Robert Hammerstein (Coldwell Banker)


Keith... excellent!

Sharon... I don't believe there is a way to be in two areas at once.

Greg... thank you.

Lisa and Robert... no, you have only two choices there, to direct to a new page or to the same page. Again, I alway redirect to a new page, unless I'm keeping them on my site.

 

10/22/2007 11:20 AM by Jeff Turner (Real Estate Shows)


Jeff, I linked to all your AR tutorials on my Week In Review, just an FYI. I thought you'd like the cartoon, I put my it. LOL

10/22/2007 12:18 PM by Missy Caulk Ann Arbor Real Estate (Keller Williams Ann Arbor, Michigan)


Missy... thank you. :)  And thank you for the packages we received! :)

10/22/2007 04:37 PM by Jeff Turner (Real Estate Shows)


I love your tutorials Jeff, great topic!

10/23/2007 04:30 PM by Ana Connell (Exit Family Realty)


Thanks, Ana. I appreciate it!

10/23/2007 09:20 PM by Jeff Turner (Real Estate Shows)


Thank you for posting these How-To videos and instructions. I wish they were linked in a How-To or from the Guidelines.

10/23/2007 11:54 PM by Sarah Nopp, REALTOR(R), CRS. RE/MAX Four Seasons, Olympia WA (RE/MAX Four Seasons)


Sarah... we'll see what we can do about that.

10/24/2007 12:31 AM by Jeff Turner (Real Estate Shows)


Jeff,

Thank you for creating these turtorials.  They are very informative and easy to follow.

I am off to practice giving some link love.  This is soooo cool.

11/18/2007 08:45 PM by Dione Beilgard Plano Tx Real Estate (Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage)


Jeff - I'm so impressed.  I was wondering how that was done.  Now I need to actually try it out.  Thank you very much for your time and consideration in doing this. I greatly appreciate it.  Have a wonderful Thanksgiving. 

11/18/2007 11:17 PM by Meg Zoller Houston Fine Homes (Keller Williams)


Troy... my pleasure.

Dione... :)

Meg... Happy Thanksgiving to you as well! 

11/21/2007 06:09 PM by Jeff Turner (Real Estate Shows)


Jeff, again thanks for showing me things that I had no idea of. Knowing the basics of linking is OK, however I had no idea about the anchor text, bolding, and naming your text link. Awesome!

12/03/2007 03:01 PM by Rob Baldwin, Santa Clarita REALTOR® (Pinnacle Estate Properties)


Another day another class. Thanks for the visual explaination Jeff.

12/08/2007 03:07 PM by Retta Absher- Pearland Texas Real Estate (RE/MAX Top Realty )


Hi Jeff, I was sent your way thru some linklove when I asked a question about linking.  T H A N K S  so much for including a video that even I can understand.  I am now a subscriber!

12/15/2007 04:57 PM by AMANDA HALL*Broker*HALL TEAM HOMES* FORT WORTH REAL ESTATE (Serving all of DFW and surrounding areas within N Texas)


Whew!!! I have been waiting for someone to put this in terms for us "regular people"

01/31/2008 01:11 PM by Cindy Aguilar (N/A)


Jeff, I've been reading a few of your posts and just have to say Thank You!!! Used some of your video tutorials, most definitely user friendly and great info.

02/06/2008 05:33 PM by Diane McDermott, Real Estate Broker, Charlotte NC, South Charlotte Specialist (REALTOR®, e2 Real Estate Team, Banks Calkins Real Estate Inc)


THANKS, THAT WAS VERY WELL EXPLAINED.

Yvette Smith

04/21/2008 10:44 PM by YVETTE REALTOR IN WILLIAMSBURG VIRGINIA (LIZ MOORE & ASSOCIATES)


Jeff, Thanks so much.  While much of this was not new to me, I have to say, I had no idea that there was a difference between links in headers, bolded, etc.  I have to go back and make some edits.  Thank you for the info.

04/22/2008 09:37 AM by Trish Edmonds (Ad Vantage Virtual Tours, LLC)


Gosh  Thanks so much from a real newbie and a very VISUAL person.  Result I LOVE the tutorials.  Yor are so appreciated.i too have this bookmarked

06/11/2008 02:41 PM by June Lewis,Realtor New Castle,Pa Lawrence Co. (Northwood Realty Services)


OH BOY I SHOULD HAVE LOOK AT THIS AT THE BEGINING I SORT OF DID IT BY TRIAL AND ERROR.  thank you for showing us about "love link"  I like that

06/23/2008 02:07 AM by Aida Pinto REO Broker/Notary Public (ReoLicensedSpecialist.com)


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Jeff Turner
Santa Clarita, CA
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