Just need to rant about contextual links

1. 83

   Whitney05posted 15 years ago

   I just need to get this out because it's driving me nuts... I will admit to using contextual links- one or two or so- but I CAN'T STAND reading a hub or online article when every few words is a contextual link. It makes the hub/article hard to read.
   
   I've found that when I find hubs that are as such, I just push the lovely back button. I can't concentrate to read the words because every few words has a phrase in blue. It's plain hard to concentrate.
   
   I think that contextual links are fine spread throughout a full page of text, but when you have about 10 in the intro and then 3-5 within every paragraph thereafter that's excessive.
   
   What makes me sad is when the hub/article is something that I think I'd enjoy or benefit from reading. If it's something I really wanted to read it, I would, right? Wrong... It's just plain hard to read with the blue links ALL FREAKIN' OVER. It's like people who use multi-color text throughout the same page- it's irritating...
   
   
   Ok... I think I'm done. It's just something that's been bugging me. Curious as to how you guys think? Is it just me?

   replyreport
   1. 81

      Laura Berwickposted 15 years agoin reply to this

      I agree, too many contextual links makes hubs look 'busy' and it is hard to concentrate. I also find too many likes and side capsules with text instead of photos to be similarily distracting. I have to be really motivated to read a hub to keep going when they are too many.

      replyreport
   2. 60

      Reed Talonarioposted 15 years agoin reply to this

      I definitely agree, and not just on HubPages.  It makes me a little bit nuts when I find a website filled with those little red links that pop up an ad every other line when your cursor gets anywhere near them. 
      
      I have absolutely no problem with some contextual links.  I don't even mind when they are obvious affiliate links.  In most cases, they are appreciated if they lead to something even remotely useful, but when I see more than ten staring at me, I immediately leave the page.  It gives the impression of being nothing but spammy advertising in my humble opinion.

      replyreport
2. 72

   diplessposted 15 years ago

   I totally agree, I only place a few to fill gaps in knowledge if it is a speciallized hub or to link to further reading in a hub if it adds on to the hub i am writing, otherwise use the link capsual.

   replyreport
3. 60

   lxxyposted 15 years ago

   It depends on what type of hub it is for me.
   
   I provide contextual links as easter eggs and drops for other hubs and hubbers.
   
   Kontera is definitely out, though.

   replyreport
4. 73

   frogdroppingposted 15 years ago

   I've done it twice. For a reason. Other than that I don't bother.
   
   I place links in link capsules. Where they (normally) belong.

   replyreport
   1. 60

      lxxyposted 15 years agoin reply to this

      I do, as well..but there's just something about the link capsule I don't like for a lot of stuff. I don't know what it is...but it definitely is a good capsule in general.

      replyreport
5. 83

   Whitney05posted 15 years ago

   I will place maybe one or two in a hub, but not a full handful in every paragraph and two handfuls in every section.
   
   It's just hard to concentrate when reading.
   
   Contextual ads are a whole other issue.

   replyreport