Does Google prefer it if you add reference links at the end of articles? I mean, is there any real SEO value to it, or is it something that really just doesn't matter?
Doesn't matter in terms of SEO. If you think it might be useful for the person reading the article, than add it. Otherwise, if is an authority site that you are linking to, than that is a plus in terms of SEO. Just don't have too many unnecessary outbound links.
@nightwolf909 hit the nail on the head. Just to add, if this is a page that you're hoping to rank (it contains target keywords and is part of the silo structure that is critical to your site), then add an authority link to the content. Authority meaning something with DA80+ and contains the keyword that you're trying to rank for. Wikipedia is great for this. Or if you're in the finance niche, for example, Forbes would be great. Adding an authority link tells Google that your page is related to the topic that you're linking to. Great SEO practice. If this page is not critical for ranking, then I wouldn't add a link at all. You're leaking link juice and creating an exit off your site. Hope this helps, Diggity
In term of SEO's reference links doenst help you but yeah it will definitely help your readers and create a authority of your site.
Actually, i usually attach a oubound link to an authority website when i creat new content. If help my content looks natural. You also do like me. Google will love it. Hope this helps!
The moment you stop thinking about google and start thinking about your end users, you will get the answer to your question. Here's a tip: You should always reference the material you use... otherwise, it's called pagiarism.
no it's not ... it's called Plagiarism Anyway, this stuff about linking to external sites helps improve your own page's SEO is BS - don't know where it started but it's got no basis in truth (people have done tests, and there's not difference in SEO benefit)