A question for Hubpages Readers
50To Link or Not to Link
That is my question:
When you read a hubpage, do you want it to include lists of relevant links or do you feel it just clutters up the hubs?
One writer said if he wanted links he'd go to google and he doesn't think a good quality hub should be confused by a bunch of links.
But some of the top ranking hubs have not just a few links but great gobs of them.
So, I'm asking you, dear reader, what do you like? Do you use the links a lot? Do you get tired of looking at them? Do you find it hard to read an article if there are too many capsules stealing the focus? Is your eye bouncing all over the place trying to sort the wheat from the chaff?
I'm sure I'm not the only writer here who wants to know.
L for Link
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Hi Webber. I was just over reading your pages. Thanks for your input.
Hi Moonmaiden, I like links if they relate to the article in some way, since they save me having to look for them elsewhere and we are working in hypertext after all. Capsules are like a newspaper page - I can read what takes my eye. Long square paragraphs of text are fine if the article is more serious. I think if you have a theme then you have multiple hubs and if you want people to read your hubs you must provide links... Drax
Drax, if they gave out prizes for the most links in a hub, you'd win hands down. But I have a really hard time reading your hubs. I must be the exception though, because you've been the #1 author since the day I got here.
Drax makes some of the best Hubs. Notice how he lays them out well, and doesn't clutter the page up.
I think stuart would win:) At HubPages we don't think there is a right way, it's your way. We enjoy seeing the different layouts and styles. We have noticed that Moonmaiden has climbed the rankings quickly. Nice work!
I was just thinking to myself when is Paul going to drop by and here you are. My next hub might be "HELP, I'm addicted to Hubpages.
I guess I can't crown Dax the links KIng without knowing more about Stuart's hubs.
Thanks Paul. Tomorrow will be my one week anniversary on Hubpages. I do feel a little guilty for spending so much time here though. People are starting to talk.
I thought eConsultant was the links king.. I've only recently started to add in rss fed links since the drop down box started to look cluttered, hmmm. maybe there are too many links. Ideally I'd like more control over the page space... anyway must go, have hubpages to feed :-)
Drax,if it's not broken, don't fix it. Sorry I spelled your name wrong but there doesn't seem to be an EDIT button on the comments box.
We have an edit this comment feature in the queue.
Drax-Congrats on making it to All Star. Are you the first one so far?
Naa - for me, though the occasional link is acceptable, uncluttered and to the point is best.
Hi, I think Paul might be right and that I've been including more links than anyone. I've come to this a bit late and don't know if anyone will read this now; but my making Hubs of links is based on a theory of one page sites or "metasites" that I have from elsewhere.
I must quickly say that this is just one type of Hub -- not the only reason for a Hub and not anymore "right" than any other; but this "metasite" hub, which is essentially a list of links to a subject, is based on the notion that search engines and directories overwhelm the user with too many links, while a selection of links made by someone who is an expert in the subject (bear with me please ;-) ) and passionate about it can be more useful.
It's true that Google does a pretty good job of getting the best sites near the top; but, still, someone looking for info will have to check a lot of links, while if a human has already sorted out the good stuff, it can be a help. One thing a human can do that the search engines can't, is "deep link". For example there may be several sites that have a time-line of Jaguar model cars on a page inside the site. But to find them via Google may take some time, whereas, if you come to my Hub on Jaguars, you will find a link to a good one straight away.
Similarly, there may be a little homesite buried on page 10 of Google by someone who may not be a great writer or have any knowledge of SEO but who has spent 45 years restoring a Jag Mk2 and in the process developed some very useful techniques.
So this is the theory.
Having said this, I am thinking of going back over most of my Hubs and adding at least a small introductory article to each.
FWIW of my two most successful Hubs, one has a longish article and few links and the other is all links...
It's never too late to hop on board.
The human factor is one way to keep links fresh. Before I post a link I check to make sure the website is still up and running.
I just hope people click the 'Useful' link before they take off down the new link superhighway and forget about us.
working
Webber says:
2 years ago
I like reading people's personal insights more than getting pointed to another destination, unless the link is highly relevant.