On the matter of linking to your own sites

The: 21/03/2011 - AT: 8:17

I recently posted a rather confusing post on why i "almost" left yahoo answers, and indeed, i only rarely log on to my account there now.

But another point i wanted to make very clear, from a subject that i didn't cover fully, is on the matter of linking to your own websites, or sites that you are affiliated with.

Most importantly, unless you have guru status on some site, you should understand that the traffic you get from this, is likely to be low-quality traffic, of little viral potential. It may however build up your reputation slowly, which may eventually lead to some recognition by people.

Linking to your own sites

There are both for and against this topic, but only one is right, and its right in the middle.

There are always respected people, whom posses a certain authority in their area of expertise, and who can't be considered spammers.

Spammers are either automated, or people who simply post their link to get noticed, or in silly attempts to get traffic for their "made for advertisements" sites.

People who represent authority sites, could easily spend their time better elsewhere. It should be considered a honor to have them participate.

When not to link

A very good indication that you shouldn't post your link, is if someone asks for a particular product, such as web hosting, and you respond with a recommendation of your own web hosting company.

In other words. Only post a link if you truly can recommend it, regardless if its for your own site, a competitors site, or someone third not mentioned.

Remember, you don't have to answer to other people, you only have to answer to your self and god. So if someone happen to choke on their coffee, because you posted a link to your own site, then thats their own problem. Its disrespectful of them to suspect you of wrong doings, and thats something you shouldn't allow.

If anyone ever brings up the matter, then be prepared to defend your actions, otherwise you may be taken for a spammer.

Comments: [2]

Author: BlueBoden

Poster: Glenn Francis Murray

Date: 24/03/2011 - 0:36

I mostly agree, however I take opposition to the broadness of this recommendation of when not to link:

"is if someone asks for a particular product"

If you disclaim your bias, and obvious conflict of interest, I don't think at all there is anything wrong with recommending a product that is yours - yours may well be just what the need? And furthermore, what if your 'product' is a free product and you disclaim your association? Or, even more conflictingly (for any broad generalisations), what if "your product" is both free and open source?

I could not agree more with spamming "made for advertisements" and "impressions" and the "SEO" drivel that passes for business for so many people...

I think better general advice would be based on your final sentence:

link whenever you can justify, and I'd add "morally" justify. But we all have different definitions for that one.

As an aside... on the left side actually, you have a very large (somewhat obnoxious) advertisement which caught my eye (in a bad way) "Increase Traffic To Your Website In 48 Hrs!" - I'm not suggesting you chose the ad; it just seems apropro of the topic :)

Poster: BlueBoden

Date: 24/03/2011 - 1:07

The ads are served by Google, so theres little i can do to control what will be displayed, sadly. Sometimes they might link to products, that i wouldn't otherwise recommend. Which is why I'm happy they are "nofollow".

Another mistake that many websites make these days, is to discourage people whom they claim to have a "conflict of interest" as they put it. While that might be true, it also won't always be a bad thing.

Whats funny about this subject, is that sites like wikipedia, often ends up with manipulated content, usually reflecting the opinions of the editors of an article. And there's little that can be done about it.

Dmoz also discourage editors from listing their own sites, which again is disrespectful. Personally i can't work in such environments, so i have avoided them so far.