Hey folks, I just started using the plugin called linkwithin(dot)com plugin and I am wondering if there is any SEO value using it? I previously used related posts plugin that I think did help SEO (helps keep old posts alive and fresh when something similar is posted). Thing is, related posts uses CPU and doesn't show thumbnails. I'm not sure if linkwithin uses CPU since it's an offsite thing. It appears to pull the data from linkwithin(dot)com, then when you click the thumbnail of the related post, it redirects you through linkwithin to the related post on your wordpress site. Make sense? So I am confused if this is worth the SEO value. Also, I don't like they force you to have their "Linkwithin" text link on the bottom of the related posts box. I wish there was a way to remove that.
I don't know if it has any SEO value. Some things are about being user friendly and increasing page views. Everything isn't for SEO. Your readers should be your first concern. If they aren't happy, you won't get any natural links...you know, the one's that you want. You can remove the link at the bottom by simply editing the plug in files.
As i am aware of, every interlinking in your blog is a benefit for SEO (though i am not a SEO expert) But i personally would not use so many thumbnails, unless you save that images on cookieless domains..for website's speed.
There is only one file in the plug in , Linkwithin.php. I can't tell you what line it's on since I have since removed it. You'll have to open it up and look for the link. Back up the file first just in case you touch something that you shouldn't.
I don't think it is possible because it calls an external script with: <script src="http://www.linkwithin.com/widget.js"></script> I only saw one link int he plugin file, I removed that and nothing changed.
I had to look at some of my blogs to make sure. You may be correct. Although barely noticeable, the link is still there. Maybe I was thinking about a different plug in. Sorry to have misled you.
Interlinking with any "decent" related posts type of plugin is good for SEO. One popular plugin available to you is the Related Posts Thumbnails that will do the same thing as LinkedWithin.