Outbound links - good, bad or indifferent?

1. 86

   Marisa Wrightposted 15 years ago

   I was discussing outbound links with Ghost32 the other day.
   
   Lissie posted this comment in another thread:
   
   
   
   At the time, she said this seemed to be true, as sites where she had outbound links were getting good traffic - however, that didn't necessarily mean better earnings. 
   
   Any update, Lissie?  I always worry about giving people another 10 ways to leave my Hub without clicking on an ad!  Seems to me that could offset any benefits from getting extra traffic.

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   1. 64

      darksideposted 15 years agoin reply to this

      The favour Google gives is because linking to authoritative sites goes a long way in proving that you're legit with your visitor's experience being high in your priorities.
      
      When I add such links I usually do so right at the bottom of my hub, even after the Comment capsule. I use a Link capsule and title it Related Links.

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      1. 86

         Marisa Wrightposted 15 years agoin reply to this

         That makes sense, thanks Darkside.

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   2. 73

      livewithrichardposted 15 years agoin reply to this

      I'd like to add that you should set your links to open in a new window that way your visitors have to come back in order to leave. But if you leave all your links at the bottom of your content then your visitors have no reason to stay when they do return from you links.  You should place your link inside a capuse next to where it is relevant to your content.

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      1. 66

         relacheposted 15 years agoin reply to this

         I'd just like to point out that Google views any links that open new windows as being the same as "pop-up ads" and they don't like those very much.

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         1. 73

            livewithrichardposted 15 years agoin reply to this

            Sorry, I'd like to see one piece of evidence that corroborates that statement about links being compared to pop up ads.  Its jut not true.  Links are crawled by Google's spiders and the only time I can see where a new window would be bad is if the link takes to a dead end landing page for some affiliate product.  If the links take the viewer to sites that are relevant to the original keyword search then there will be no problems with them opening in a new window. 
            
            Opening in a new window is a matter of choice.  Some pro bloggers like it some do not.  Think about how you like it as a surfer.  How do you treat new windows opening?  Do you follow them or bookmark them for later reading.  If they open in the same window, do you go back to the original site or keep following links on and on until you're lost in cyperspace.

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            1. 67

               Mishaposted 15 years agoin reply to this

               http://hubpages.com/search/include:foru … ame+window
               
               However, I too would like to see the proof that google looks at them as pop-ups

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2. 67

   Jerilee Weiposted 15 years ago

   I always add a capsule of "If You'd Like To Know More!"  I have confidence in my article being good enough that I don't fear readers looking elsewhere.  My line of thought is that if they are serious enough about the subject, they deserve to be encouraged to explore more.  Also, I always make sure that some of my links are to other hubbers whose thoughts on the same subject may differ or improve upon my own.  It's a nice way to honor them and support the hub community?

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3. 95

   RGrafposted 15 years ago

   Great tips.  Thanks.  I use outbound links but never thought of a section alone just for them.

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4. 38

   getpaidtopostposted 15 years ago

   I have found that linking to google search with your keywords helps, I think it was this that took me from number 8 spot to number 1 spot on Google for lots of keywords now im above Microsoft for the term auto restart with a search volume of 14,800    per month.

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