Link-Baiting: The Art of Attracting Links

If your web site is going to compete on the internet, it must appear frequently and as near the top of the page as possible in search engine results. Since search engines use the number of links to your website, commonly called backlinks, as criteria for determining your ranking, enticing readers to link to your site is a priority.

Link baiting is fast becoming the most popular way to attract visitors to your website. Link baiting, simply put, is using content or features within your site to boost your backlink count. This means your content must draw readers in and present them with useful or new information, which will prompt them to link to your website.

There are several ways to accomplish this goal. You can rely solely on information to attract readers. Take a subject that has vast amounts of data, simplify it, and add your viewpoint. Internet users, gathering information on a topic of interest, are looking for content they can understand. Provide this for them, and your numbers will increase.

Another bait, which can be a tremendous draw-in if handled properly, is controversy. Challenge where your competitors stand on a popular topic. Offer information or insight which has not been explored. A fresh slant on an old subject can be very effective.

Humor is always good link bait. Tell a funny story or post pictures and cartoons. Humor, as long as it is not offensive, will keep readers coming back for more. This is an excellent tool for gaining links to your site. However, do not forget that humor does not have to be ineffectual. Using it to get your point across will attract people of all walks.

Two link baits which merit mention, but should be used cautiously, are inciting panic in your readers, and attacking someone in your same field. Either can bring negative attention, so examine all the angles before using them.

To be successful in this venue, make your site easy to navigate, try to gain links from respected people in your field, link to social networks, try to appeal to a national readership, and always make sure your content is high quality. Having good content on your site is the foundation for link baiting. Grammatical errors, spelling errors, and misplaced or missing punctuation will turn readers away. If you lack writing skills, consider hiring a professional.