If that’s the case, then exchanging links, either ‘manually’ or using a link exchange tool such as Reciprocal Manager or SolvoLink, would be a great way of boosting your traffic.
But although I would love more visitors, I just can’t bring myself to exchange links. My philosophy is that I should only refer people to sites that I really like or are relevant to the topic in question. Equally, I only expect other people to link to me if they see merit in something I write or in my blog as whole, or if they know I know where they live (just kidding!). So if I link to you, I’d be flattered if you reciprocated, but I neither request nor, indeed, expect it.
Okay, that’s all very altruistic, but how does it sit with my occasional use of BlogExplosion, which is, in a sense, a reciprocal linkage system? Well, I guess I’ll just have to admit to being inconsistent there. I do like to browse blogs, and if I’m going to be doing it anyway, I may as well get some hits from it. And I’ve found quite a few BlogExchangers do actually read, digest and comment, rather than just click mechanically. I see that as something a little different from actively recommending a blog by linking to or blogrolling it. But perhaps that’s just my inner ‘hit junkie’ speaking :-)
6 comments:
I'm with you on the linking philosophy. The way I see it, any links on my blog are my recommendations so, if there's just a load of trash in there, my taste is in question. If people link to me, I would hope that it's because they like what I do. And it's not entirely true that the search engines just rate by number of incoming links. Much more important these days are quality and originality of content.
Thanks, everyone, for dropping by and particularly for commenting.
Informative comments, Stef, thanks.
Alicia, the link stalker is a bit scary. I assure you I can account for my whereabouts, though :-)
Gone Away, I agree completely, although I suspect my taste has been in question for some time!
I came to you through Blog Explosion. I just started with it and I enjoy the surfing.
I agree with you about link exchanges. Fairly useless for the most part. Just link those that you like and know that others will do the same for you.
I've never understood the obsession with links and hits anyway but then I don't make any money blogging either.
I was reading some sites that gave suggestions to increase readership. The prevalent notion is that if you don't promote your blog, it will be lost in the blogosphere, even if you have great content. Without links to your blog, potential repeat readers will never find your blog. There are just way to many blogs to crowd yours out if your not letting others know you exist.
I didn't click through this sight on BlogExplosion, I always get slowed down reading good blogs.
I too found this through Blog Explosion. As a new member, I'm impressed that so many people found it through this exchange.
Linking with other sites is a referral in my opinion. One intent of my blog is to create value for my readers. I don't want to send them on a wild goose chase because I don't feel that is right. If a blog is good, I try to link to it. I will also remove a link if I feel that the value is not there.
RGH
www.rghsblog.blogspot.com
To sum up what most of these other folks are saying, BlogExplosion is a fun way to find other blogs, but random linking is a terrible way.
I do review my blogroll from time to time to see if the blogs are still as good and current as they were when I put them on there. I don't limit my blogroll to any certain theme, but if it's not a blog I'm interested in visiting frequently, I won't blogroll it. I do have a predilection for linking to other Maine bloggers when I find them, tho.
I have found that technorati tags and linking to articles are two good ways to attract visitors who are interested in what I am blogging about. I think that in the long run, building up a loyal readership is more important than bringing thousands of folks to your site who won't read what you've written.
Peace,
Tor
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