Forum signature links and SEO
-
Regarding this article on forum signature links, is this good advice?
http://searchtempo.com/forum-signature-links-and-seo/
Doesn't Google suggest a nofollow on these types of forum links?
On a related matter, is it a good practice to add a Google Plus link in forum signatures?
Best,
Christopher -
There's no relevance nor context for these links. It's linkbuilding instead of link earning, so I wouldn't do it.
-
Forum links don't tend to carry a lot of value, but they can still help. Post-Penguin it's probably not a good idea to stuff these signature links with keywords, but a few links from relevant, high quality forums can provide some value. Besides the SEO value, which is minimal, links from relevant forums can actually drive qualified traffic to your site and help get your brand out there.
-
There is no definitive answer to that question from what I believe, as in Matt Cutts specifically saying "Don't do that" but there is a great sentence in the Google Quality Guidelines that can totally answer that question.
In the Google Quality Guidelines it says
"Avoid tricks intended to improve search engine rankings. A good rule of thumb is whether you'd feel comfortable explaining what you've done to a website that competes with you, or to a Google employee. Another useful test is to ask, "Does this help my users? Would I do this if search engines didn't exist?"
Now ask yourself that same question regarding Forum Signatures and spammy anchor text links.
If Matt Cutts himself asked you "Why did you add those links on your signature? for the users for for SEO? If you can truly answer that question "for the user" then do it. If you even hesitate or find yourself justifying your answer then don't.
Adding nofollow to those links? I personally would suggest it
-
The forum link must be nofollow, because the link on signature side is worthless .Forums are a great place for inexperienced people who want to increase the number of links .But they don't attention to authority of domain& page
-
Usually forums are so spammed with links that they are really worthless. Those links will likely help the users but not your SEO.
Browse Questions
Explore more categories
-
Moz Tools
Chat with the community about the Moz tools.
-
SEO Tactics
Discuss the SEO process with fellow marketers
-
Community
Discuss industry events, jobs, and news!
-
Digital Marketing
Chat about tactics outside of SEO
-
Research & Trends
Dive into research and trends in the search industry.
-
Support
Connect on product support and feature requests.
Related Questions
-
Am I better off with ten links from one site or one link from ten sites?
I am writing a series of linked-back articles for a highly-ranked web publisher, but wonder if I'd be better off sharing the articles across different sites. My goal is to grow our domain authority and SEO rankings.
Link Building | | Lysarden0 -
Would it be a valid "link building' strategy to pay youtube video owners, to link to our company website in the decription of a certain video. ( For popular video's that are relevant )
I was wondering if it would it be a valid "link building' strategy to pay / work out a deal with youtube video owners, to link to our company website in the decription of a certain video they posted? ( For popular video's that are relevant to our business. ) Anyone have any thoughts on this? Thanks in advance! Steven
Link Building | | RockyMountainFlyboard0 -
Thoughts on creating a resource/recommend links page in order to attain links?
Hey guys, Just wondering, how does Google view reciprocal link building nowadays? I've heard in the past that it's something that Google isn't particularly keen on. However, more recently, I've also read that - as long as the links are decent (and in moderation) - link exchanging is by no means a bad thing. The reason I ask is that I'm thinking of creating a "resource/recommended links page" for a client of mine. Because of their industry, it's really apparent that attaining links is often only possible if there is the opportunity of a reciprocal link in return. Therefore, I'd need to have a resource/recommend links page of my own. Is this something I should go ahead with to make it much easier to attain links? Or should I try to avoid reciprocal links and attempt to pinpoint one-way linking opportunities - even if they're thin on the ground? Any help much as appreciated as always. Cheers.
Link Building | | Webrevolve0 -
Link Exchange
Hi everyone, I just started working for a client in a new niche. After reviewing the backlink profiles of his competitors I can see that the top sites are using a ton of link exchanges. They are from really spammy sites too. The kind that will link to anyone that provides a link back. Anyone else seeing much of this?
Link Building | | SixTwoInteractive0 -
When editing your dofollow signature in forums, what happens with old posts?
Well hi there...!!? Now, here's a scenario: I've been anchortext linkbuilding (with success, wuhuuu!!) for a client through a couple of months and I've aggregated quite a few links from a series of 'solid' forums. The majority (we are 99!) of links are build using the signature in my posts and comments. Now my client has shifted focus from this specific linkbuilding task and I have another client awaiting to "take the place in my signature". How do I ensure that historical posts from client #1 stays unaltered, while new comments have client #2 in my signature? A few after thoughts: Are there any automated ways to monitor the above mentioned scenario? What are the chances of getting penalized from the forum, loosing historical comments (links) Tally ho! ;o)
Link Building | | nosuchagency0 -
Link building
What is the difference between External Followed Links and Total External Links, why are the numbers different? Should the numbers not be the same? I have a difference of 24 links can anyone explain why?
Link Building | | vendorshop0 -
Link Building: No linked to content in industry
Hello, I'm doing link buidling for a small ecommerce niche. There's no resource content in the niche (looking at OSE Top Content) that has attracted backlinks (on any sites) How should this effect what resource content I should create. Thanks!
Link Building | | BobGW0
