Gaining Link Popularity for Increased Web site Traffic

Link popularity is a term which refers to the number of hyper-links pointing to a web page on the net. A popular page will have many links pointing to it. Fewer popular web pages will have few if any links pointing in. Link Popularity becomes increasingly important for gaining PageRank for a web page. PageRank is a measure for how relevant a web page is considered against other related pages. The ranking system works on a zero to ten rating system, the highest ranking of ten being the most relevant pages for the topic.

The major search engines began looking at link popularity years ago in their algorithms. Links help the search engine’s programs to weed out poor pages and find valuable pages for their search results. A hyper-link which points to another web page is looked at as a “vote” for that page from other webmasters. If a webmaster is willing to place a link on their site, which sends their visitors to another page then that page must have value.

Many webmasters use link building strategies in order to gain link popularity for their pages in the search engines. Getting links from other sites that point into their pages will help increase the ranking in the search results for that page. Better ranking’s means increased traffic and more income. The best links are considered ones that come from other relevant pages, which share the same topic or theme. The site should have good PageRank or be in good standing with the search engines. The older and more authoritative the site is the better the link quality.

These links are very difficult to get but here are some tips.

1) Know how to make your links work for you. A web page should be built around a specific keyword. Make sure to use the exact keyword in the anchor text for any links that you are able to get.

2) Never use tricks or programs to try and undermined the search engines link algorithm. These tricks and software programs will get your site penalized at best and banned for life at worst. There is no way to trick the search engines for the long term. Use only white hat link building techniques that are in the guidelines of the search engines.

3) Never participate in link farms, these do not help a site at all anymore.

  Search engines have placed much more value on one way links. These links are much more difficult to get, especially on authority sites with great content. Stay away from the older methods used to help gain link popularity.

4) Let your content be the leading factor to get great links.

  If your site is poor in quality, has little or no content and is just not valuable for anyone in general no one will link to it. A webmaster who places a link to another site will only do so if it will benefit their visitors. The only way to win over these webmasters and get the links is by having the best and the most relevant content for whatever your site theme is. If webmasters see a high quality site with great resources and information for their users, they will be much more likely to link to the site.

5) List to all the major and hub free directories that you can find.

  These directory links are not as strong as they once were but still quick and easy to get. They will be one way links and especially for a new site help get some link popularity in the search engine’s eyes. Try to get at least three links from directories every time you add a new page. They may not be the best links to get, but they will help get a site off on the right track.

6) Write and distribute articles to promote your site.

You can write articles and distribute them to article directories. This will get you one way links and build link popularity. You also can try and contact bloggers or other webmasters and see if you can write an article for their site or blog in return for a link. Writing and distributing articles are a great way to get the word out on your site, promote a page of the site and generate a viral buzz over time.

7) Never let a link building strategy take over all your time, it is counter productive. 

  A site needs to keep adding great content to do well over time. Having a few pages on a site and working constantly to get links is not the best way to manage time. Rather work towards adding a new page of amazing content a day and spend a little time trying to get a couple links pointing into it.

8 ) Let your content get the links for you. 

Sometimes the best approach for getting links is a passive one. There is a term being used today in search engine marketing called “Link Bait”. This refers to the building of a web page that is controversial or news worthy, something that will get attention and be spread around the net quickly to get one way links on its own. Link bait is a weird term, if you concentrate on always creating the best most worthy pages for the web then your entire site will become “Link Bait”. It will get noticed and gain attention in time on its own. The link popularity will grow on its own along with the site. This will bring great search rankings, traffic and income potential.

When it comes to gaining link popularity it should be a concern to any webmaster. Just stick within the rules and use the accepted methods for building link popularity. Never try to trick the search engines for better rankings, it will get you banned. Try just getting some easy directory links and distributing an article for every new page you add. Make sure to get the keywords into the anchor text of the link at all times. The most important part of a link building strategy is to create content to great on its topics and theme that every webmaster will want to link to it on their own. If your site is not “link worthy” or valuable in any way your link popularity will suffer. Use these simple yet effective tips to put together a winning link strategy today!