Recently launched a gasoline price checking site. I decided to hand pick several web sites and ask if they would list the URL in their links page. One of them chosen was a .gov URL. Earlier today, to my surprise, the .gov site added the link to my page on their site and these requests were all for one-way links. I did not want to recip the URL. My question is whether or not this lends any significance to the quality of the link and pardon my naive question but what does this mean after my URL in their link: target=_blank ? Feedback appreciated. I just may target a few more .gov's and ask.....
.gov links are priceless because they are, in the search engines eyes, more legit then most websites. So, good job with the link.
Thank you both. I read a long time ago, that if you get links, try .org or.gov - I wasn't aware a .gov beats a .org so it is good to hear. Good to know about target=blank...interesting. I am curious if getting more .gov one way links would add more "strength" or "juice" to my that URL I am trying to get linked. Thanks again . . .
That is quite the feat, congratulations. I have never had any luck with asking for one ways with .org and .govs
.gov and .edu links are authoratative only because of the content on the particular site. The extention .gov or .edu is no more valuable than .com or .net. Its just the authority of the site that matters. IMHO I have a .edu blog
Good points from one & all. My particular site deals with checking fuel prices in your area by typing in your zip code. The result is a list of local service stations and what each one sells a gallong of gas for. The government site that listed my URL is actually an energy information site. So essentially, they must've appreciated the likewise content. I see what you mean by authoratative. On the other hand, even though you have a .edu extension, your .edu won't lend much creedence to any web page you list? I think I look for any "authority" when I link though. So from that standpoint, I follow you there. Otherwise the extension doesn't mean much per se
Right, my outbound links from my .edu domain are no more important than any other extention. We are talking a reputable .gov site here which will give your site juice from its domain age and content. The only importance of a .gov extension is that government and educational sites stay around much longer than the average domain and are a valuable IBL because of their age/authority, not the simple extention which is easily obtained. On another note, I am launching some campaigns related to energy conservation. It is an awesome niche.
interesting thread. haven't yet tried to work on a backlink from a .gov site, but now i'm thinking it might be worthwhile to give it a bit of a go...
Sorry if I'm back-tracking this thread... but are there any legality issues when getting a .gov dn? ... just seems like there should be some process you would have to go through in order to have permission to own/use a .gov please let me know, and sorry if this is a dumb question
I agree, Matt Cutts stated that all domain extensions are treated exactly the same way whether it's .gov .com .net...
all domain links are treated equally.. the importance of .gov link if derived when its actually from a govt site. otherwise any other .gov link is in no means superior to .com links. interestingly if u register for a domain. .gov are cheaper than corresponding .com
Yes, and the important fact of a .gov link is that it must be internaly linked from other pages from that site. If it's just a solo link it has 0 power. So the content must be good to be linked from the homepage (or other important subdomains).
Ah, a sane post for a change.. So many people have fallen into the misconception of believing that a .edu/.gov TLD holds more weight than a .com/.net TLD. This is not true. The reason people recommend you get a .edu or .gov link is because, usually, they're intrinsically authoritative.
Good link neighbourhood, good quality inbound links to the site, PR would also serve as a consideration factor.