Link Bait - "Add this tool" functionality a benefit?

Discussion in 'Google' started by pfleet, Apr 6, 2008.

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  1. #1
    Hi all,

    OK have created a neat little calculator for our site which should be pretty popular & a useful tool for web visitors.

    Now my question is, from a Google SEO perspective is it better to:

    a) Just have the tool available on my site for general use
    b) Offer people the option to "add this tool to my site" where they can then insert the tool (& a link back to my site) on their site

    Whilst I think option b) could be quite attractive and encourage more people so take some sort of action, I have a little concern that because all links are identical and coming from "within" the tool itself, Google might reduce the value of such links (reasoning that, the link back has been "forced" upon the wemaster rather than a genuine 'vote' for the site). Also, all anchor text would be identical so maybe Google will automatically flag the links as non-organic.

    Does this make sense?

    Many thanks

    David
     
    pfleet, Apr 6, 2008 IP
  2. puper

    puper Well-Known Member

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    #2
    i think b```
     
    puper, Apr 6, 2008 IP
  3. Proteus

    Proteus Guest

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    #3
    well you could put the link after the tool, as well as in it..
    ie. you jhave your <script> tags or whatever then after u close it, have <a href="" etc..
    just my opinion but yeah
     
    Proteus, Apr 6, 2008 IP
  4. pfleet

    pfleet Peon

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    #4
    Thanks guys - I agree that b) would be the 'nicer' way to go about it - embedded tools in websites are kinda nice if they are relevant etc.

    I'm just concerned that Google will associate the tool/script with the link. Perhaps work out that the link is only there because it's there because of the tool and therefore discount its worth (in terms of passing link juice).

    I mean say someone makes an awesome little tool and publishes it on their crappy little website which apart from the tool is a waste of space but nevertheless 10's of 1,000's of people embed the tool in their website, does the crappy website deserve to be credited with 50,000 links?

    Or how about an unrelated link is placed in that tool. Linking back to a different site entirely. If G gives link credit to that website anyway, doesn;t that go against the whole linking concept that a link is a vote for a site?

    Thanks again
     
    pfleet, Apr 6, 2008 IP
  5. amanamission

    amanamission Notable Member

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    #5
    It is quite common for tools to include a reference link. There is nothing wrong woth this, and of course it is a "vote" for your link. The users who embed your content choose to put it there, no one forces them. These are natural as the day is long, no worries whatsoever.
    Just make sure your tool is great! What does it calculate?
     
    amanamission, Apr 6, 2008 IP
  6. angilina

    angilina Notable Member

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    #6
    "b) Offer people the option to "add this tool to my site" where they can then insert the tool (& a link back to my site) on their site"

    I will go with this option.
     
    angilina, Apr 7, 2008 IP