It’s called “link love”
Bloggers create a link to another blogger’s post as a reference or to show gratitude.
Some bloggers will spend many hours adding links to posts.
You’ve seen them, “100 links to the best of …..”
I did one of those too, it was titled: “1066 Links, Lessons or Tips For Bloggers”
Today’s lesson
I need to update my Blogging Buddies page. That’s the page (in my header) where I provide a link to each person’s blog, who took the time to leave a comment on either of my blogs.
Earlier today I spent two hours grabbing links. I will be adding approximately 70 more sites to the list. Since I do a short recap of what each blog is about, it’s still a work in progress.
In my daily posts, I often add a link or two, and I always add links when I introduce the “New blog Of The Week” (NBOTW).
Linking out is a great way to share our finds with readers.
I often wonder, in this effort to show link love, do the links earn clicks?
Today’s Assignment
Do you add links to your posts?
Do you click on links in blog posts you read?
Can a blogger overdo it with links?
Is it link love if no one clicks? Or the “linkee” doesn’t acknowledge the link?
Photo Credit: Hryckowian’s photostream
I think you share well and your links reflect it.
Even if no one clicks the links, you can still flow authority.
J.D. Meiers last blog post..Personal Memory House or Landscape
I do link, but I don’t always click on other blog links. Sometimes I do and once in a while I find a new blog I like so I think it is worth it. Even if no one actually links over to my blog, I still appreciate it. So, yes, I still consider it a link of love if no on clicks, and I have to admit, I may be guilty of the lack of acknowledgment at times. I try to remember to thank, but as I sit here, I’m not sure I aways do. Oops. I’ll have to try to be more deligent on that.
Debbie Yosts last blog post..Friendship Roundup
I have seen blog posts littered with links and I think it takes away from the reading sometimes. It’s almost like the blogger doesn’t have confidence in the topic. Plus, I don’t feel like I have the time to click on all the links.
I think I much prefer links on a sidebar. I like to explore other people’s favourite blogs.
I include links only when I feel it is appropriate. I don’t do it very often.
I like your Blogging Buddies page. It’s a creative way to show links.
If a blogger includes one link, I often click it. If they include 100, I usually move on. I’d much rather hear a little bit about why they’re linking to a particular site, than just have a big list without knowing why I should click them. I think that with link love “it’s the thought that counts,” so it still counts even if no one clicks. But people should always try to acknowledge the link…though I’ve missed a few acknowledgments myself…especially when someone links to me from a non-English blog.
Hunter Nuttalls last blog post..10 Reasons America Is Better Than Japan
LOL…I just link you for my post today. Anyway, I only link when it’s a quality link this way my readers will appreciate it more and actually click through. I do however appreciate all the link love that I get from other bloggers and I’m tempted to reciprocate immediately. But I control myself and make a note to link back later on.
Chriss last blog post..Feedburner, RSS Subscription, and Comments
Well I do click on the links that are on my blog…they are are there to remind me to go visit that blog and leave a comment, if possible, since that person left me a comment. If will click on the link on other blogs if they title is catchy or interesting, but not that often. If I do start to see their name around (let me get this right) blogosphere, then I might pay them a visit just because..
it’s nice to give link love. some people can be very stingy about advertising other people’s blog for fear of taking away “my readers”
I post surprisingly few links within my articles. Need to do more of it. It all comes down to intention. I will link to other blogs if I think my audience will benefit from it. As for acknowledgement and link love, I do my best to thank bloggers who link to me, but frankly, there aren’t enough hours in the day to keep track of all of it. In the end, you don’t give love to get love. You give it without expectation.
Mark – Creative Journey Cafes last blog post..Can a Terrific Title Make You Millions?
Hey Barb 🙂
I do click links and provide link love – I like to think I choose everything with care and so I try to maintain high quality link love so that my readers learn to trust that if I linked it, go love it because its great lol. I do everything on my blog to my reader’s benefit and if I am linking to an irrelevant friend, I’ll find a nice way to do it so its clicked anyway! No sneakiness!
I have noticed that, slowly but surely, people who read my site are clicking away at the links I provide so I’m happy about that because when I link – its always with the thought that “Hey blogger – I think your stuff is great. Heres some link love!”
Also, I am not greatly insulted or anything if they don’t say thank you
And if no one clicked, yes I’d be a little sad 🙂 But thank God people are clicking the links. Yay!
I think that if you find an interesting post on another blog that’s related to what you’re talking about, it’s a good idea to link to that post. That way your readers have the option of reading more on the subject matter if they want to. Also, I think that when you add links from other blogs to yours you’re networking with people whose work you enjoy. Even though I’ve just recently started blogging regularly. I’ve already had a few blogs linking back to posts that I’ve written and I really like that. I have to start doing that on my blog.
I often add links to my posts; I want to share resources with my readers. And I click on links in others’ posts too, if they sound interesting – isn’t that why the laundry piles up, the bills go unpaid and the dishes are overflowing in the sink? we’re all clicking and clicking away all day! 🙂
I haven’t yet read a post where I thought the writer overdid it with links, but I’m still new to the game.
Ann
Hi J.D.
Thank you.
That is true, isn’t it? Authority can be gained by the links we insert.
Hi Debbie,
Yes, often a new and interesting blog can be found by clicking on links.
Sometimes you don’t know that someone linked to your blog. I check the inbound links section and use Google Alerts, but some still slip through.
Hi Hunter,
The posts that include dozens of links are overwhelming. I will often bookmark the post and go back to it later.
Hi Chase,
Yes, links can take away from the blog post. If it’s a post that is written as a recap of great resources, I don’t mind as all of the links are in one spot.
I set up my Blogging Buddies page as a thank you to all that take time to comment. My biggest problem is keeping it updated. Time gets away from me.
Hi Chris,
I just read your blog post. Thank you for the link and your kind words.
Re: counting visitors, my favorite stats program is AWStats (it’s free), and Google Analytics is another good one (free also).
Hi Natural,
You do bring up a good point. Some blogger feel by linking out they well lose visitors. The truth is, linking out often makes establishes you as an authority figure, and people will come back to see who else you recommend or are reading.
Hi Mark,
I agree. We don’t give link love to get link love. As in life, that’s not what “love” is about.
Hi JEMi
It is important to provide quality links, isn’t it? And I notice, you always do, and you share an explanation as to why you’re linking. That’s a big help and the “linkees” are often seen in your comment section saying “thank you”.
BTW: That was an awesome post you did on Problogger. Congratulations on nailing that one. 🙂
Hi Marelisa,
Linking out can add value to your post (just as comments do). If someone is interested in a specific subject and you provide a link to another blog (or two), it puts that additional information at their fingertips. I think readers appreciate that.
Hi Vered,
Welcome to the BWAB community. It’s great to see you here. 🙂
I noticed on your “comment” post, you did a roundup (with links) showing your gratitude to loyal commenters. That’s a great way to promote your cyberfriend’s blogs.
Hi Sherif,
Opening links in a new window is a great idea. It lets you find out how relevant the links are.
Too many links can be a distraction, but if I trust the author’s judgment, I know they put them there for a good reason.
Hi Ann,
😆 We do a lot of clicking, don’t we? With blogosphere containing such valuable information, it’s hard not to keep reading and keep clicking.
Ahhhh…, now if we could just find a way to click and get our chores done.
Nice to meet you, Barbara. Thank you for your visit to my blog. So nice to see many familiar faces over here. 🙂
I do link to others. I don’t think you can overdo it. I am always grateful for a link to my blog. I don’t often click on links, but I still consider it as important validation from the blogger who linked to me.
Vereds last blog post..Please Use Discretion Prior To Slapping The Term “Anorexic” On People
I usually click links within blog posts when I feel that this link is being put for additional information, so I open it in another window to check it and then get back to the original article, aside from that, I don’t prefer to distract my mind by clicking many links when I am reading a certain subject.
Sherifs last blog post..How to build a Crowdsourcing Website?
I don’t give linky love in my posts as often as I should, mainly because I have such a limited time to do posting.
I do link a lot in my Pay It Forward Book Exchange posts. That takes some time. 🙂
Overwhelmed With Joy!s last blog post..I had a good conversation with Baby Bug’s dad.
Hi Overwhelmed With Joy,
Welcome to BWAB!
I agree, linking does take additional time, and it’s time we don’t often have when we have a life and are trying to get a post published.
I checked out your blog. I’ll be back later to pay you a visit.
Thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts.
I add links at times to my posts if I think it’ll add to what I’m writing about. I appreciate links when they come in and always try to comment on the person’s blog who linked to me, however, I may miss a few.
I’m not sure how many people click links inside posts. I assume they do what I do and click them once in a while.
So what about you my dear, Barbara? Do you think linkers can over do it and do you click links in articles? 😉
John Hoff – eVentureBizs last blog post..3 Sentences, Post 1: Marketing
Hi Barbara- I think too many links in posts is REALLY distracting. I recently read an article that had an entire paragraph of all links. I know we all are trying to create backlinks and re-reference useful articles, but maybe one or two links per paragraph is adequate.
I like to bounce around the internet and will often visit other people’s blogs and check out links if time permits.
Dr. Nicole Sundenes last blog post..Rosemary for Remembrance: The Easiest Herb you can Grow in your Garden to Improve Memory
Hi John,
Like you John, I will click on a few links, if…..the author makes them sound worthwhile or intriguing. If I’m under a time crunch, I may come back later and check them out.
If a post is all links, and is a “reference” type post, I will either remember where it’s at (like the 107 Catherine did), or I will bookmark the page.
LOL You’re making me do my own assignments.
Hi Dr. Nicole,
Like you said, too many links can be distracting, and some times, …..some of those “links” are really ads. Those are the type of link posts I like the least. I know that’s suppose to be a great way to make money, but for a blogger who wants to find value in a post, they become a distraction.
Time does seem to be the common denominator on whether a person clicks on link(s) or not.
Hi Sara,
Doing a “round up” type post is a great way to show “link love” and gratitude. The “linkees” (is that a word?) appreciate it, and may help them gain a little bit of traffic. It’s a great way to promote other blogs too.
Like you, I have found some great blogs by following links, especially those that CommentLuv provides.
The “no follow” is an issue especially with WordPress blogs. I installed a plugin named “linky love” to reverse that, but I don’t think its’ working right as I still see the “no follow” in comments.
I agree, if your heart is in the right place, link love is a good thing.
I just did my first “round-up” style post, and it got a good response. You really do get what you give, so linking to others is important, but it doesn’t substitute for original content. But I do plan on linking more heavily when there’s great material I can share. If it’s good for the reader, it’s good for the blog.
I love to follow links from my favorite bloggers! I’m way more likely to click a link if the author has provided some context–either a firm recommendation or a specific notation that the link provides additional information.
As for link love, it all counts unless there’s a nofollow. Even so, if there’s a recommendation attached to it, it can only benefit both parties.
Saras last blog post..Why We Don’t Buy: Use the Science of Shopping to Your Advantage
Hi John,
That’s a good way of putting it. I’ve got to learn it first before I can teach it to others.
@ Barbara – you probably already did your assignment while you were writing your post – you’re just giving us a peek at your work before the grades come out 🙂
John Hoff – eVentureBizs last blog post..How To Buy A House Like A Real Estate Investor: Part 6 – Finding The Right Property
Hi VagabondetteVA,
Yes, links can be over done. I like the idea you have of showing a list of “resources” at the end of a post. It gives your readers the option of clicking or not.
Link love is great, isn’t it?
I think links in posts are good, particularly if you’re referring back to an inspiration post or one with additional information. I do think links can be over-done though. I recently read a post where almost every other word was linked to either internal or external information. It was very distracting. In that case I would have preferred that they had a list of “additional resources” at the end. I won’t always click them, but they’re nice to have there, just in case.
As far as acknowledging the link, I think it’s the polite thing to do (and in my experience it makes future links more likely). However, I think there are genuinely bloggers out there who have no idea – and don’t know how to check – that people have linked to them. I’ve met people who have been blogging for years and didn’t even know what a stats counter was. Personally I try to go back to any posts/blogs that link to me and leave a comment and at the end of every month I do a “Link Love” report with the top 10 non-commercial referring sites for the month previous as well as my 5 most popular posts for those who might have just wandered in and don’t want to dig through archives.
I’m a big fan of link love so I’ll continue to practice it because I think it’s just a nice thing to do.
VagabondetteVAs last blog post..How To Find Time For Yourself
Yes, yes, yes and yes. 🙂
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