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To Link Or Not To Link...That Is The Question...???

After almost a year of Active Rain membership and almost that much blogging activity I'm proud of what I have learned in that relatively short period of time...

Now I'm talking about someone who barely had email communication figured out, who used the internet only for shopping, and never even considered that the internet could provide a whole new way of transacting the real estate and associated industries while at the same time respecting the 'local' nature of real estate!!!

Fast forward about a year and that same person, me, has written over 400 blog posts, tweaked a business profile to maximum sharpness, gained over 175,000 Active Rain points (which can be traded at anytime for 2 #2 pencils), figured how to insert graphics and 'You Tube' videos into posts, started preaching to others the benefits of blogging only to be laughed at most of the time, gained 145 subscribers and numerous readers of my blog, and received numerous leads from consumers and others resulting in increased title business and revenue!!! Oh...and had fun and made a whole lot of new friends in the process!

That's the Good News!

The 'Bad News' is I still have a long way to go to master or even begin to understand the nuances and mechanisms of terms such as SEO, Google Juice, Web 2.0, video blogging, tags, keywords, and other finer points about 'blogging for success'!

The one area I would like to discuss in this post is 'LINKING'...

When to link...and when not to link...why link...why not link... is linking always 'reciprocal', that is, must two always agree to 'cross link'...

I'm intentionally leaving this post open to discussion on this topic, in hope that the comment thread will be of use to all Active Rainers, and provide all of us a better and clearer understanding of 'LINKING'...

I invite all comments and ideas!!!

Posted by Fran 'The Title Man' Gaspari Title Insurance-PA & NJ on 06/04/2008 09:23 AM

Comments (38)

linking, cross linking, seo, google juice

Originally posted at: Fran The TitleMan's Blog: To Link Or Not To Link...That Is The Question...???

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38 Comments on To Link Or Not To Link...That Is The Question...???

JUN

2008

Fran, the little I know about linking is that it can be a good thing. Like if I hyperlink your blog or web site, on my blog or web site, more people can find you. Reciprocal commenting on each others blogs gets picked up by the search engines. But I too, would like to know the more technical analysis by the SEO experts of how to make it work the best for all our businesses.

Gary,

For example...I was told it's always better to link to a site with a greater 'Google rating' than yours as opposed to a site with a lesser or no Google rating! ??? Thanks, Fran

Fran: When you figure it out, let us know to. I am so confused with the seo end of it.

Linda,

We're all supposed to be in this together...let's all scratch our heads at the same time!!! LOL, Thanks, Fran

P.S. Is this how it was when the wheel was invented???

Oh Boy! I've only been here three weeks and now I am really lost! What is Google Juice and how do I get some! It sounds like something I would like!

how do you link to a site with better "goole rating"

Fran, great topic. I am still a little behind on the SEO and google juice. I know what they are, but have yet to really explore the depths of the ideas nor have I established much of either. SEO is search engine optimization. Check out Dean Guadagni's Blog on SEO and follow the links in it to learn more. Dean has a great blog overall and writes a lot of very informative posts on SEO and the likes.

Aida,

Welcome to Active Rain and my blog! I will answer both of your questions here...You get 'Google Juice' and a 'Google Rating' by doing the following:

1) Subscribe to and read my blog...daily if possible...

2) Comment on at least 10 posts per day...

3) Start blogging yourself... by following the lead of some of the more seasoned Activer Rainers!!!

4) Don't be afraid to ask questions...

5) Keep at it!!!

Thanks, Fran

Joshua & Kathy,

Your comment was very useful and informative...I followed the link to Dean Guadagni's site and there is good reference material there...I would recommend perusing it...I also was lead by Dean to another site pertaining directly to our topic here... check it out also...but for those on a tight schedule I have excerpted a portion,

"Reciprocal linking could be like shooting yourself in the foot. Especially, if you're identified as being in the wrong "neighborhood" of related sites and/or low quality sites. If that's the case, then don't count on ranking for your keywords anytime soon. Here's how you can see what neighborhood you're associated with: Do a Google search for [related:www.yoursite.com] without the brackets. Do you see anything unrelated. If so, you'll probably want to fix that."

Hope this helps some!!!

Thanks, Fran

Now this is what I call a good 'comment thread'...a few more good comments and it will render this post worthy of 'bookmarking' for future reference!!!

Fran - I'm no SEO Guru, but from what I gather links can be a good thing. Like anything though, you'll want to use them in moderation and go overboard with it. You've come a long way my friend, pretty soon you'll be able to get 3 #2 Pencils and a house plant with all the points you've garnered:-)

I'm parking- pass the popcorn- cheryl is going to learn to link!! (wonder if it open another world like scanning did)

Jason: And exactly what size pot is that, my friend!!! LOL

Cheryl: What's scanning??? LOL

Thanks, Fran

Wow, Fran, you've come a long way since the first few days you arrived at AR....I still remember when you started to use clipart in your blog and how excited I was for you. Just look at you now!

I don't know much about linking other than it really helps your blog if some of the biggies (preferably on outside blogs) link to you by mentioning your blog. I think for that we have to get out there and make friends outside of the rain....the next big step!

Jo

Jo,

I just know tidbits here and there by reading blogs, etc...a little learning is a dangerous thing...

But I read somewhere that you should only link to 'like sites' and ones whose Google Rank is the same or higher than your own!!! ???

I don't know if Google Rank is a measure of 'Google Juice'...which I define as effectiveness in attracting visitors to your blog or web site! ???

I keep a 'widget' on my blog header to determine 'Google page rank' of sites I visit! It's like having a fancy sports car with a lot of gauges on the dashboard, but not knowing how to read them or interpret them...where's my 'owner's manual'...LOL Thanks, Fran

Fran, great topic. I've written an article or two for the online newspapers here in town and they publish them using links to me. I always see a large increase in hits to my blog. I suppose it doesn't hurt my google juice either. Other than that my friend I am no genius on the topic. I am enjoying some the responses and I'm going to try the trick of checking out related sites with google.

Links are definitely a good thing. As I read in one of the other comments, it is best to link to sites that have good google ranking. Also, don't just link to your website's home page. If possible, link to interior pages. This not only helps your website, but works on getting your interior pages of your website onto the Search Engines. Definitely link.

Greg,

Now, in your example, would you give the online newspapers a link on your blog??? See where I'm going with this...If anyone wants to link to my blog...go for it, but when do I allow links on my blog (outgoing) to other sites? Thanks, Fran

Muldowney Team,

Thanks for chiming in...my website has a 'google rank' of 3...my Active Rain Blog has a 4...not bad I'm told...and that's where we're getting the most 'Google Juice'...people like 'interactivity' I think!!! Thanks again, Fran

Hi Fran- You lost me last week with Google Juice. I done have a clue! I am just in it for the enjoyment! :)

Barbara,

Basically GJ is a measure of how easy we are to find by those looking for our services in cyberspace!!! That's pretty much the extent of my expertise...I do Titles...the best in 'deed'!!! Thanks, Fran

Link, wasn't that one of the characters on Mod Squad?

I will be paying close attention for the answers to your post Fran.

I am clueless, my friend, as to the efficacy of linking. I think I'm in good company :)

Mike: That's about as much as I know about linking...I think we need the 'Mod Squad' to figure it out for us!!! :)

Andrew: I know...sounds like something polygamous, doesn't it???

Thanks, Fran

JUN

2008

Fran, great question! The title guy in me says what could it hurt to swap links. The tech guy in me says be careful, google is a pretty sophisticated search engine. I'll repeat, I'm no genius on this subject. Now I've proven it. ;o)

Ohhhh, gotcha- if your name comes up in a google search? Forget about New Paltz real estate- I am like ten pages back- If I rely on people finding me that way I will never get a call. Right now I am having enough trouble studying for my brokers exam. The blogs are a great break from the books! Thanks for the info!

You really got everyone talking on this one. So much to learn. So many things to do.

I have come up on page 1 or 2 on some google searches because of Active Rain. THAT is COOL.

Great post!

Greg: I like erring on the side of safety...:)

Barbara: You keep blogging and commenting and you will be #1 or #2 in no time!!!

Kevin: I know nothing about SEO, and my page rank with Google is a #4...that's as high as the best of them on Active Rain!!! Keep blogging...be consistent... use a lot of key words...they're 'Google Rich'...!

Thanks, Fran

JUN

2008

In my public posts, I try to link back to my website or certain web pages whenever I can. Google loves when a popular blog links back to a site that has related information and fresh information. I think you should like back to your companies site whenever you can!

Hi Again Fran- I never thought to link back to my website- My website is quirky- I build it myself everyday because I thought the typical sites were not "me". It is really for the technologically challenged- like me. I will try it. Soooo......I will fit it into my posts when I can. Man, I am learning so much- Thanks my friend!

Fran -

I've spent the last year reading and following blogs on SEO and still don't think I have it figured out.

Bottom line - the top 2-3 listings on a Google results page get the vast majority of the web traffic for that search term. In addition, my experience is that search traffic is much higher quality than the pay per click or other ad based traffic.

Getting the the top 3 takes a combination of good web page design, relevant content, good inbound links, and a dynamic (constantly updated) web site. The effort and success of your campaign all comes down to which key words you are chasing. If they are generic, like "Title Insurance in PA" then every element in the SEO equation has to be right. If they are less popular, you don't have to be as "good."

Another problem is that the search engines at places like Google are constantly changing - what was important last week might not be so important this week. Keeping up is a full time job. For example having your link in "link farm" - a page that has over 100 links, will probably penalize you in the ranking engines.

You have three choices:

1) Do nothing

2) Buy traffic through Pay per Click services, like Google Adwords. Expensive, but fairly effective.

3) Hire a professionl SEO consultant to assist you in optimizing your web site. The problem is finding someone who is knowledable and reputable. I've interviewed a few with no real success.

Dave,

I appreciate your imput and comment...I agree, and because Google algorithms are constantly changing, I think the best advice is option #1 with qualifications...do nothing...but continue to blog, post, and spread the truth about title insurance and suffer enjoy the consequences!

Thanks, Fran

Todd: Good advice!!!

Barbara: Hang on tight to the 'Google Train'...:)

Thanks, Fran

I stopped most linking to my website, and just maintain what I have. I always did only real estate relatedlinks P3 or higher. In some of my blogs, I will occasional place some short and long tail links for where I would like them but many of these links are ineffective because you will find hthey are not what AR wants and will actually be blocked by "no follow" tags.

Jim,

Thanks for adding to the comment thread! Thanks, Fran

Anytime Fran! You are the Man!

Fran - congrats on your online accomplishments.

Building a quality website or blog is not only about the content you write but the resources you provide. Sometimes there is no reason to reinvent the wheel. Yes there is value to your website when you link out to other valuable content/sites.

OM Guys,

I'll keep that valuable information in mind!!! Thanks, Fran

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