Linkbait is a technique not a strategy, it involves creating web content for the specific, primary purpose of getting links pointed to your website. There are of course other areas where linkbait can be useful, but ultimately it’s about links.

Because Google have made getting links pointed to your site absolutely vital for ranking in their search engine, it is imperative to gain quality links and the greater the number the better. Some websites buy links from other websites, but Google have said they will take action against manipulation of the search ranking through the purchase of links, although things get a little fuzzy though when you start defining what it is to actually “buy a link”. Suffice it to say, buying links has its particular problems which we can discuss in another blog post.

Which is why linkbait can give you an edge in your online marketing strategy. If you are looking to reduce your monthly PPC spend and boost your organic listings then linkbait is absolutely something you should consider.

This sounds great, but hold off for a while as there are some serious issues to consider.

What is linkbait really about?

It’s simple really, linkbaiting is all about getting other people to carry out a job, it’s as simple as just persuading them to link to the web content that you want to direct them to.

It’s less to do with programming and search engine optimisation and more to do with publishing. A specific kind of publishing that straddles tabloid newspapers, billboard advertising, the front covers of popular magazines and if you are of a certain generation, the album covers of long playing records. Some of the youngsters could well believe that all music comes solely from their iPhones.

Attention

It’s all about how much attention you can get and so many users of the World Wide Web are now able to surf at the speed of thought enabling them to travel to anywhere on the web in a few short clicks. You need to get their attention with something that is going to stop them still in their tracks and consume exactly what you have on offer. An engaging headline will do this, but domain context and niche relativity are also important.

You really need to engage a company who are passionate about their web design and SEO. Get this right and you are on your way to running a successful website.

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