Linkbaiting Isn't A Bad Word

Internet publishers looking to increase their traffic numbers are likely to have heard of a new term that's making some serious waves. Linkbaiting has quickly become a big trend in driving traffic to websites. The practice's legitimacy is a matter of debate, but the truth is many of its concepts are rather useful.

Although the word linkbaiting is new, the measures it defines are not. The term is used to categorize a variety of different methods publishers employ to gain incoming links to their websites or blogs. Some of the measures are thought to be quite reputable, but some are not. Examples of methods that fall under the linkbaiting definition include generating high-quality content that gains incoming links, creating contests and awards programs, crafting tools for other websites to use that happen to link back to one's site and even writing attack posts and comments about other sites.

The term linkbaiting has earned a dark reputation in the online community, but the fact is many of the measures it defines are anything but shady. Most publishers work their tails off to come up with effective ways to gain traffic and incoming links. In doing so, they can realize increase revenue potential. Linkbaiting can be a great tool to make this happen. Some of its practices are so beneficial, in fact, many SEO optimization businesses offer linkbaiting packages to their clients. On its own, linkbaiting is not bad. It's all a matter of how the effort is handled.

The reason for linkbaiting is rather simple. It's all about gaining traffic. If traffic is increased, revenue potential generally is too. When it comes to making money on the Internet, it's often a numbers game. Since linkbaiting can and does result in traffic increases, it's a popular practice. Another motivation for the practice involves a site's potential search engine ranking benefits. The more incoming links, the better as far as page rank is concerned.

Although linkbaiting has its potential perks, site owners should be aware of a few things. The most important, especially for bloggers, is to ensure the quality of the content is high. A big rush of traffic due to incoming links can be a good thing, if that traffic turns into regular visitors. Making this so requires content people actually want to read. For any linkbaiting effort, legitimate or not, to really pay off, those visitors that come in need to keep returning.

The number of different measures that fall under the linkbaiting definition are many. Some of the more common and generally non-shady ideas include offering up tools for other sites to use, writing good content, offering useful information, sponsoring awards programs and contents and even providing a bit of humor and fun. The best linkbaiting ideas involve drawing natural links via the creation of a good site and/or useful tools. It's that simple.

Some of the undesirable methods for gaining incoming links can also be beneficial. These include writing attack pieces about other sites or issues, going for controversy or trying to drum it up, focusing on the shock factor and more.

It might be considered "bad" in some arenas, but the reality behind the linkbaiting concept is that it can work. Publishers that tend to flourish by using the method are those that actually provide a little meat for those who have been reeled in.

By: Jeff Alderson

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About the author: Jeff Alderson develops search engine marketing tools. He is an expert on maximizing traffic and sales. Jeff suggests using Ad Word Analyzer to find niche keywords for your website.
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