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Mastering the art of link popularity goes beyond mere link acquisition.
It’s understanding what link popularity is.
How it impacts your online presence.
Most importantly, it is crucial to know how to wield it effectively.
Well…
Imagine your website as a vibrant hub in a web of connectivity. The more eyes you attract, the higher the impact you create with quality and relevance. This will brighten your site and shine in the eyes of search engines.
For such an explanation and an in-depth understanding of link popularity, deep dive into today’s article.
In This Article, We Will Discuss About:
- Link popularity.
- Example of link popularity.
- Importance of it.
- Types of link popularity.
- The mathematics behind link popularity.
- How do you boost your link popularity?
What Is Link Popularity?
Link popularity measures the quantity and quality of links pointing back to your pages. The message is clear: don’t just count the links – evaluate their essence. Each backlink acts as a word-of-mouth recommendation.
If websites were students in a popularity contest, backlinks would be the votes they collect.
Well, here is how it works. Link popularity considers two factors:
Link velocity (quantity): it considers the number of links you get for your brand. A decade ago, link popularity was only dependent on quantity. But now, quality is more important. In fact, a good number of high quality links are pivotal – read that again!
Quality: Over time, search engines, particularly Google, changed how they used to work, especially after the Penguin update. Now, the perception has changed, and ONE quality link outweighs 100 normal links. Basically, link quality considers relevance, authority, anchor text, and link placement.
What Is An Example Of Link Popularity?
If, for instance, you are running a website for baking delicious cookies. Ideally, you really want people to find your site when they search “cookie recipes.”
Here’s how link popularity can affect your ranking:
Scenario 1: Low Link Popularity
Your website has a few backlinks, maybe from friends or social media profiles.
These links have little authority or relevance to baking.
Effect: In turn, a search engine will view your site as unreliable or even informative in discussing good cookie recipes. It, in turn, reflects poorly on your search result ranking.
Scenario 2: High Link Popularity
Your website has backlinks from several high-quality sources:
- A website run by a renowned pastry chef.
- A popular blog dedicated to dessert recipes.
- A well-established online magazine known for its food content.
The anchor text (the clickable text) of these backlinks might talk about such things as “best cookie recipes” or “easy chocolate chip cookies.”
Impact—Search engines will probably consider your website as a source of information relating to cookie recipes to be more authoritative and of higher value. It will magically work for your rankings regarding different keywords in search results.
Why Does Link Popularity Matters?
Why should link popularity be at the core of your SEO efforts?
- Higher Search Rankings: A robust link profile can catapult you to the upper echelons of SERPs.
- Increased Web Traffic: Incoming links are like digital breadcrumbs leading visitors to your site.
- Amplified Brand Presence: Each backlink amplifies your voice across vast online landscapes, fostering brand resonance and recognition.
Types Of Link Popularity
Link quality is subjective, right? Wrong. It’s all about the rank of the sites linking to yours. High-authority domains cast the longest shadows in the SEO realm. Conversely, strings from seedy sites can strangle your ranking aspirations.
First, link popularity by its origin:
- Internal Links: These are links within your website that connect different pages. This not only improves site navigation but also boosts your visibility.
- External Links: These are the cornerstones of link popularity because when you get links from outside, Google considers this your endorsement.
Secondly, link popularity by quality:
- High-quality links: These are the links from Autolite websites. Precisely, DA 50+ websites.
- Low-quality links: These may come from irrelevant websites with low authority or even spammy sites. They can hurt your SEO.
Finally, link popularity by Anchor Text:
- Relevant Anchor Text: This describes the content of your page accurately (e.g., “best cookie recipes”). It can be a positive SEO signal.
- Irrelevant Anchor Text: This doesn’t reflect your content (e.g., “click here”). It has little SEO value.
The Mathematics Of Link Popularity
Link popularity encompasses numerous strategies that collectively form your link-building campaign. The algebra of link popularity involves factors like domain authority, relevance, and the link’s type.
- Quality over Quantity: Remember, it’s a connoisseur’s game. A few good links can wrestle a better ranking than a mob of mediocre ones.
- Contextual Cogency: Have your outgoing links make sense within the article or webpage. Contextuality is king.
- Tenacity of the Anchor Text: Use it judiciously. The more precise the anchor, the more potent the link.
Link Popularity – Golden Rules
Backlink strategies are the blueprints to your online sanctum, the architecture of your site’s SEO. But with great power comes great responsibility – the responsibility to build links ethically and effectively.
- Content is (Still) King: Produce quality content. Good links gravitate to great content like moths to a flame.
- The Art of the Ask: Seek backlinks with care. Being too eager can seem desperate and hinder your popularity growth.
- Surveying Your Surroundings: Analyze your competitor’s backlinks. The best way to find success is to emulate and then innovate.
- Monitor the Popularity: Regularly monitor your link profiles. Weed out the bad, cultivate the good, and harvest the great.
- Community is Currency: Network with influencers. In the digital kingdom, their word is law, and their link is gold.
How To Improve Link Popularity?
It’s Like a Balanced Diet for Your Domains! So, the pursuit of the perfect dofollow link must be done cautiously.
(i) The Relevance
Backlinks should serve substance, not just support. The closer the linking site’s content is to yours, the more significance it has.
- Topic: Seek out websites that share your professional proclivities.
- Local Link Love: Geographically relevant links can boost your local rankings. They’re as crucial as they are comforting.
- Content Congruence: Ensure the content of the linking page aligns with your own. Congruence is a caress to search engine sensibilities.
(ii) The Value Of Authority
Earning links from authoritative sites muscles up the search rankings. They’re the nod of credibility your digital portfolio yearns for.
- Think Long-Term: Don’t just chase the quick wins; cultivate partnerships that age like fine wine.
- Foster Relationships: Networking is more than a to-do list item; it’s an investment in your digital standing.
- The Follow-up on Follow-links: Prioritize followed links. They’re the ones that transfer value and veneration.
(iii) Seek, And You Shall Find
Real links pass real value, and while no-follow links have their place, the do-follows are the true troopers of the SEO battlefield.
- The Nofollow Know-How: Get those dofollow links, but don’t kick the no-follows out of bed – they aren’t useless. They keep your backlink portfolio natural and nuanced. But dofollow links pass link juice and hold more importance in link building. So, focus more on dofollow links.
- Evoke curiosity of the prospect: Why would someone link to you? If you were the prospect, would you open that cold email? Probably not unless it was exciting. So, how do you create that excitement? Rather, how do you offer something that grabs their attention? This is where you have to think for their audience. In your outreach email, clearly mention WHY they should link to you and what benefits their audience will get once they are redirected to your content piece.
- The Follow-up Chase: Follow-up emails can increase your chances by 40% of getting a backlink. So, do not hesitate to send a follow-up email. At the same time, avoid being spammy. Sound natural; send one or two follow-ups (not in quick succession).
(iv) Play Your Anchor Text Ace Just Right
It’s not what you say but how you say it. Anchor text is the ‘how’ of your backlinks.
- Precision Personified: Be specific with your anchor texts. Clarity is click-worthy.
- Variety is Virtue: Avoid the repetitious rut. Keep a good balance of anchor text. Refrain from using too many exact-match anchor texts.
- Placements: Your anchor texts should be placed in such a way that adds value. For example, see the point below where we have added Ahrefs broken link checker tool because it is absolutely necessary. And most importantly, it improves overall user experience. Moreover, we have placed it in a subtle way – without disrupting the flow of the content.
(v) Broken Links, Unbroken Strategy
Learn the art of art & science of Link Reclamation. Broken links are not just lost opportunities; they’re found fortunes.
- First thing first – link processing: Find link opportunities using Ahrehs broken link checker.
- The Rescue Mission: Think of ideas to fix the broken link and improve user experience. Ultimately, you should aim to provide super helpful content in place of the broken link.
(vi) Harness The Power Of Guest Blogging But With A Twist
Guest blogging is still one of the best link-building strategies. But today, it’s about being strategic, selective, and symbiotic.
- High-Quality Links: Firstly, check relevance and DA when you are at the link prospecting stage. Also, do not forget to evaluate DR, traffic, spam, and trust flow scores. This holistic approach will help you reach the top-tier websites.
- Quality Content: Many people need to correct their mistakes here. They think they don’t focus on the content because they are writing for other websites. But the story should be different here. Focus more on content because it’s about your reputation.
Conclusion
At its core, link popularity indicates a healthy backlink profile. As simple as it may sound.
So, what changes will you make in your link acquisition strategy? Another case can be where you may need some advice. If that is the case, then we would like to invite you to a FREE SEO Strategy call.
This is a one-on-one call with our senior SEO expert where they will understand and evaluate your current performance. And then, curate a step-by-step SEO plan for the next months.
So, change your SEO reality and get a team of SEO experts with you.
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