Just need to rant about contextual links

1. 82

   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?

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      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.

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      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.

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   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.

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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.

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   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.

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      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.

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5. 82

   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.

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