Links to and from other sites, are great for increasing the popularity of your blog.
When I first started this blog, I decided to provide a link to all individuals (who had blogs or websites) who commented on, or linked to my blogs. That is when my “Blogging Buddies” page was born.
It was my way of saying “thank you” for visiting my sites. Since, I also believe in “paying it forward”, my hope is, that the blogs of my “Blogging Buddies”, will gain more visitors, as well.
While researching for additional lessons to pass on to my readers, I was studying “linking”. Long story, short….it appears, in the process of setting up links to all of my “Blogging Buddies”, I may be inadvertently, also be setting up a “link farm”.
To quote Webopedia
A link farm is a Web page that is nothing more than a page of links to other sites
Link farms, sometimes computer generated, were formed years ago by individuals who wanted to “beat the system” and gain page rank. Links were bought, sold, and traded (reciprocal linking), and some websites quickly climbed up the Google page rank. Then, Google and the other search engines, caught on to this technique, and started penalizing these sites.
I doubt my “Blogging Buddies” pages would yet be considered a link farm, as it only had 28 links, however, I do not want to risk being penalized. Being penalized could mean I stop getting indexed, and if that were to happen, I would also risk being able to refer others to my “Blogging Buddies”.
I have updated my Blogging Buddies page, and have removed all of the direct links. The names of all of my “Blogging Buddies” are left intact. To visit a “Blogging Buddie” of mine, it’s just a matter of doing a quick search for their name.
It saddens me when I hear stories of others trying to “beat the system”, and undoubtedly, it’s money related. Unfortunately, those setting up link farms, are no different than any other individual (or group of individuals), who are always looking for a way to make a quick buck, cheat an employer or the government, rob from others, and then use the excuse that “it’s owed to them”. I say get a job. Get a life. And quit looking for a free ride.
To my loyal “Blogging Buddies”, I do apologize if I mislead you in any way. It’s still my hope, that my blog, will be one of many referral sites, that helps to get you discovered. I thank you for your loyal readership, and am wishing much success to all of you!
Hi. I'm Barbara Swafford and I'd like to welcome you to Blogging Without A Blog. Grab a seat, share your thoughts and join in the conversation. 
Leaving comments on another blog, is a great way to generate more traffic, to your blog.
How does leaving a comment on another blog, drive traffic to your blog, you ask?
It starts with a short story.
Several weeks ago, I left a comment on Darren Rowse’s blog, Problogger. Asako, of “Before They Hatch” read my comment, clicked on my name, found my blogs, and now visits and comments often (Thank you, Asako). Yesterday, I was back on Darren’s site, and that’s where I found Nelson’s blog, Help Desk Geek.So I left him a comment. Today, he visited me, and left me a comment. Ironically, another “Blogging Buddie” of mine, Henk ter Heide, of See Me Draw, also found me on Problogger. Great minds must think alike.
See how that works.
The process is very simple. Here goes…..
When you fill out the comment form, you are first asked for your name.
Then…your email address.
Then….your website address. This is the important part.
Just type in the URL as it appears when you are on your home page. In my case, my URL is http://bloggingwithoutablog.com
Hint: If you want to link to a specific page in your blog, you will have to type in the complete URL for that page.
After you leave your comment, and hit “submit”, a link to your site is created.
Now, it is said, that leaving a link inside of a comment is “spammy”. But…..If you are leaving a comment on my blog, and you are not comfortable with filling out my comment form, but want to provide a link to your site, just leave a link inside of your comment. I don’t mind. Just give me a way to find you.
In the past I made a typo when filling out my website address, and it created a dead link, so be careful when typing your website address.
With regard to comments, take your time to leave a meaningful comment. Saying “great post”, and nothing else, probably won’t drive visitors to your site. Leave a comment that will intrigue other readers, to find out a little more about you.
As a reminder, for anyone (with a web address) who leaves a comment on either this blog, or my Observation Mountain.com blog, I create a dedicated link to their blog, by adding them to my “Blogging Buddies”.
As of today, 9/21/07, I have 19 “blogging buddies”. Check out the page, and visit some of my loyal readers.
Unfortunately, one of my buddies, has apparently stopped blogging, as I’m getting a 404 error when I click on his link. Sad. He had the start of a great blog. But, I’m going to leave that link in place, just in case, he revives his blog.
So…..take some time, visit other blogs, and find a post where you can leave a compelling comment. Chances are, the author of that blog will come by and pay you a visit, thus generating more traffic to your blog. Sweet!