Are anchor text links to my own unrelated hubs useful and appropriate?

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   B. Leekleyposted 11 years ago

   I have learned through forum discussions that including an outgoing anchor text link in a text capsule in a hub is good idea when a) the word or phrase used as the anchor text closely relates to what the hub is about, b) the webpage linked to closely relates to what the hub is about, and c) the webpage linked to is one which the hubber recommends for its high or at least acceptable overall quality. Does it make good sense and is it appropriate to stray from these guidelines and link to a webpage completely unrelated to the hub's topic if the link is to another of one's own hubs?
   
   Specifically, I am working on a hub about free writing prompts. In a text capsule I happen to mention using a microphone as a writing instrument. That is an opportunity for me to link to my hub about the Dragon NaturallySpeaking voice recognition software program. In another text capsule I happen to mention a creative writing class I attended in Marquette, Michigan. That is an opportunity for me to link to my hub about Marquette. Should I include those off-topic anchor links in my creative writing hub about free writing prompts because that will bring some traffic to those other hubs of mine? Or should I not include them because a visitor who follows them might be annoyed by the off-topic sidetrips?
   
   If I should include those, and possibly additional, off-topic links because the advantages probably outweigh the disadvantages, should I make them no-follow?

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      bravewarriorposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Additionally, HP will flag your hub as spam if you include links that do not directly relate to the topic.  If you mention The Dragon Natural Speaking voice recognition program and give some detail about it, including a link would not be off-base.  Links are meant to offer more information on the subject, not promote the writer's unrelated hubs.

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         B. Leekleyposted 11 years agoin reply to this

         Thanks for clarifying, bravewarrior.

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      Marisa Wrightposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      As others have said, HubPages' main requirement is that the Hub be relevant.  There was a stage where people used to publicise their other Hubs at the end of each Hub - when the rules changed, those people found their Hubs were summarily unpublished!   So I would recommend not to risk it.

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         B. Leekleyposted 11 years agoin reply to this

         Thanks for clarifying, Marisa.

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   Will Apseposted 11 years ago

   If you follow the simple rule of only including stuff on a page that serves your reader you will not go wrong.

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      wildernessposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Will has it right - doing it for your reader and not SEO is the way to go. 
      
      I might mention also that if you study the Learning Center you will find that HP not only requests but requires that outgoing links be relevant to the topic of the hub.  You being the author of both is not considered relevant; although you wrote both a hub on the Dragon software and writing prompts they are not relevant to each other.
      
      So no, don't sprinkle your hubs with outgoing links that lead to something the reader isn't interested in and has nothing to do with what they are reading.

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         Will Apseposted 11 years agoin reply to this

         A wonderful resource the learning center. Well worth reading. Practical advice designed specially for this site.

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            wildernessposted 11 years agoin reply to this

            It is a great resource.  Not only rules and regulations for the site but good, solid advice on how to make successful hubs.  Not necessarily online articles as a whole, but specifically hubs.

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            B. Leekleyposted 11 years agoin reply to this

            Will, yes, it is time for me to re-visit the learning center.

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         B. Leekleyposted 11 years agoin reply to this

         Thanks for your helpful reply, wilderness.

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      B. Leekleyposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks for that guideline, Will.

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