What is link popularity?
Search engines often use link popularity as part of their ranking criterion. In simple terms, link popularity is the measurement of the number of other Web sites that include a link to your Web site somewhere on their site. Each search engine, depending on their specific algorithms, determines it differently. If your link is included on a site that has high link popularity, your link will carry more weight with the search engines. Conversely, if your link is on a site with relatively low popularity, your link carries less weight.
Why is link popularity important?
There are three key reasons why you should consider link popularity as part of your search engine optimization campaign:
1. Enhanced search engine ranking. Search engines use the total number of outside links pointing to your site to estimate quality and popularity of your site. This theory behind this is simple: The more pages that link to a site, the better that site must be. Therefore it is important to have a large number of quality links pointing to your Web site.
2. More complete indexing. Search engine spiders will not index every page of a Web site because the more pages they index, the less storage they have for other Web site pages. Therefore, sites that are less popular get the short end of the stick. However, by increasing your link popularity, your important pages have a greater chance of getting indexed.
3. Increased traffic. It's the simple principle of advertising: The more your site is advertised (e.g., linked on other sites), the more people will know about it. This is especially critical for newly established Web sites. You've got something to sell and the vehicle to sell it, but if no one knows it's there, your business will eventually die. But, once someone discovers your site by linking to it, you now have an entry point for buyers and search engine spiders alike.
Yes, this is a lot of information, but hopefully it has shed some light on this very important topic. The basic premise behind link popularity is this: The more links pointing to your site, the more popular your site is considered by the search engines. You will need to focus on getting quality related links pointing to your site -- remember, the more popular that site is, the better it is for you.
How does link popularity work?
Should you decide to build a link popularity program on your own, there are a few things you need to consider for optimal search engine optimization:
1. Conduct a search for Web sites to link to. This is probably the most difficult task, as you'll be sifting through literally thousands of sites. You will want to be trading links with relevant sites.
2. When you find a Web site to trade links with, record all their information to refer back to: URL, contact info, and a brief summary.
3. Contact the Web site owner or Web master and tell them you have included a link to their site because you think it would be useful to your visitors. Include a URL to the page you have dedicated for related links so the Web master can see you have already added their link. Then ask whether they would consider linking back to you.
You will find a mixed reaction to your request. Those people who know the value of link popularity will respond. Yet, there are many people out there who still need to be educated on the importance of this tool.
Many Web sites have their own link popularity programs already in place and they may have a form for you to fill out prior to trading links. Be concise and, equally as important, be sure to follow up to make sure your link has been added to their site. If you find that a few weeks has passed and your link still doesn't appear on their links page, contact the Web master before deleting their link from your site.
