Protected: Delete your blogroll and do organic links instead (Day 8-31 Kick Butt)
Oh, somewhat unrelated but what about the demise of the nofollow tag? I read a post by Mat Cutts that suggests that unless you're linking to a spam/questionable site, it doesn't have the value that it used to. In the past bloggers would hoard page rank by using the nofollow tag religiously or use it to sculpt the page rank of their sites.
Oh, somewhat unrelated but what about the demise of the nofollow tag? I read a post by Mat Cutts that suggests that unless you're linking to a spam/questionable site, it doesn't have the value that it used to. In the past bloggers would hoard page rank by using the nofollow tag religiously or use it to sculpt the page rank of their sites.
First--this is somewhat unrelated, but when I had hit tab to move between the above fields to make a comment, it brings me back up to the top of your website--very irritating lol.
I've started to hear about the demise of the blogroll elsewhere. In the past, I had read that blogroll links conferred more page rank since the blogroll is usually on all of the pages of most blogs instead of a single post.
When did Google make this change? I
First--this is somewhat unrelated, but when I had hit tab to move between the above fields to make a comment, it brings me back up to the top of your website--very irritating lol.
I've started to hear about the demise of the blogroll elsewhere. In the past, I had read that blogroll links conferred more page rank since the blogroll is usually on all of the pages of most blogs instead of a single post.
When did Google make this change? I
The blog roll was a help to me when I first began searching for paralegal blogs to follow. Thanks, Lynne! I must confess though that now I seldom look at blog rolls.
Thanks for confirming my web designer's advice not to give up the valuable real estate on my business blog!
The blog roll was a help to me when I first began searching for paralegal blogs to follow. Thanks, Lynne! I must confess though that now I seldom look at blog rolls.
Thanks for confirming my web designer's advice not to give up the valuable real estate on my business blog!
What do you all think of Snap Shots as another way to keep readers informed and save time?
Thanks for sharing!
What do you all think of Snap Shots as another way to keep readers informed and save time?
Thanks for sharing!
Hi Grant! I'm really enjoying this whole series. I launched Happy Simple about 6 weeks ago and didn't include a blog roll. I've had them on previous blogs and found them unwieldy and difficult to maintain. If you have one, you have to check regularly that the blogs are still active, still writing to your particular niche. If your own niche changes, you'll need to revamp your list. I really think that linking from within a post is a better way to do it - thanks for confirming my thoughts on that!
And, since you asked, here's how I did it last week:
http://happysimple.com/2009/10/01/best-uncluttering-question-ever/
Interestingly, it's been one of my most commented on posts so far.
Hi Grant! I'm really enjoying this whole series. I launched Happy Simple about 6 weeks ago and didn't include a blog roll. I've had them on previous blogs and found them unwieldy and difficult to maintain. If you have one, you have to check regularly that the blogs are still active, still writing to your particular niche. If your own niche changes, you'll need to revamp your list. I really think that linking from within a post is a better way to do it - thanks for confirming my thoughts on that!
And, since you asked, here's how I did it last week:
http://happysimple.com/2009/10/01/best-uncluttering-question-ever/
Interestingly, it's been one of my most commented on posts so far.
Thanks for the great information. I dont use alot of links in my post. I have seen many blogs that have useless links that seem like they are just putting them in to have one. Your information makes so much sense. i just wrote my post for tomarrow and have successfull included two links to two great posts. I do think that it will add value to my post rather than be a distraction.
Thanks for the great information. I dont use alot of links in my post. I have seen many blogs that have useless links that seem like they are just putting them in to have one. Your information makes so much sense. i just wrote my post for tomarrow and have successfull included two links to two great posts. I do think that it will add value to my post rather than be a distraction.
Grant, I almost deleted my blog roll because you told me to :) but when I considered that one of the purposes of my blog is to direct readers to paralegal resources, I modified it to only include recommended paralegal blogs, which is definitely a better use of the space. Even so, your post will without a doubt help me improve the quality of future blog posts and do more linking to others' posts that I want to bring to my readers' attention.
Grant, I almost deleted my blog roll because you told me to :) but when I considered that one of the purposes of my blog is to direct readers to paralegal resources, I modified it to only include recommended paralegal blogs, which is definitely a better use of the space. Even so, your post will without a doubt help me improve the quality of future blog posts and do more linking to others' posts that I want to bring to my readers' attention.
I agree with both you and Lone Wolf. I liked so many blogs when I started blogging in April that it got way too long and took up far too much space so I chucked it, and it was a good move. The thing is newbies tend to follow "expert" advice until we make sense out of the nonsense.
I've replaced it by adding links to external sites that provide more information in my posts, in addition to related posts, more informative widgets in the sidebar etc.
I would prefer to use trackbacks as well but still don't know how to do so when I don't see the link on the particular blog. I comment and sometimes write a post about it but duh, it never occurred to me to contact them to say "link me up" or whatever.
So it's a good thing I'm here with people who's got the knowhow!
I appreciate this course very much indeed.
Thank you Grant.
Thank you for getting involved in the series. As far as the trackback issue, I would not worry about it if you don't find a link. Most blogs done on WordPress now, and don't ask me how, notify the blogger when someone links to them. I get them all the time in my comments section for me to moderate. When I do find a trackback URL, I do try to use it.
I agree with both you and Lone Wolf. I liked so many blogs when I started blogging in April that it got way too long and took up far too much space so I chucked it, and it was a good move. The thing is newbies tend to follow "expert" advice until we make sense out of the nonsense.
I've replaced it by adding links to external sites that provide more information in my posts, in addition to related posts, more informative widgets in the sidebar etc.
I would prefer to use trackbacks as well but still don't know how to do so when I don't see the link on the particular blog. I comment and sometimes write a post about it but duh, it never occurred to me to contact them to say "link me up" or whatever.
So it's a good thing I'm here with people who's got the knowhow!
I appreciate this course very much indeed.
Thank you Grant.
Thank you for getting involved in the series. As far as the trackback issue, I would not worry about it if you don't find a link. Most blogs done on WordPress now, and don't ask me how, notify the blogger when someone links to them. I get them all the time in my comments section for me to moderate. When I do find a trackback URL, I do try to use it.
Links in-post get clicked on more than blogroll links, so if you have sites that you really want to show respect for and send traffic to, there are better ways to do that than with a blogroll.
Great post, Grant.
Thanks Michael - What is interesting is the very fact you mentioned in your comment. Links in a post get many more clicks than those in a blogroll. While some may feel they are doing their readers a favor, I very much doubt their readers are clicking on those links in a blogroll. In fact, I would bet you, their readers are not even noticing the blogroll. If someone feels they just have to have a blogroll, do what we did and make it a page. And make those who want to be on the list, do the work. I look at the wasted blog sidebar real estate that is wasted by blogrolls and I wonder what they could be putting there instead.
Blogrolls are just so 1999. Yes they did serve a purpose when blogging first started. But not so much now.
Putting links in your blog posts is essential. What's cool is, if you use bit.ly as a link shortener, you can then go to bit.ly and see how many people clicked on the link in your blog post. You'd be surprised how many people click through.
On another topic, Grant, I've checked out backtype.com and it does aggregate your comments, but only those that require you to input your URL. I've just emailed them to ask how to get other comments included and will let everyone know (i.e., comments to posts in LinkedIn groups do not require a URL to post).
One questions (I know I'm off topic here again, sorry), how do you syndicate your blog posts without having to go to each website and inputting it (besides twitter, LinkedIn & facebook). Ping.fm does not include a way to input unsupported websites. Thanks.
The way many blogrolls are done, I can see your point. Endless lists of blogs that no one has time to look through serve no real purpose.
However, a "Recommended by Me" or "I Regularly Read" list of 5 to 10 blogs that you personally recommend is something that I think is relevant. Provided those links are to blogs that you do regularly read and interact with, your readers will find value and the other blogs will find value -- an important part of FLEE.
Simple links in a post are valuable (and may get more clicks than an average blogroll) but they are not visible all the time, only the post that contains them.
I agree that there is some usefulness to a blogroll built around a particular theme, and I particularly agree with the point that blog posts need to include organic linking. I've been doing that for a while. Today's lesson is a good reminder to cull the blog roll for blogs that are no longer active or compelling.
Donna
I tried to click on the link to your site but its broken. Im not sure i understand what youve written and would love to know more about how this works.
Hi, Rosemary: I'm not sure why it's broken, but if you click on "did you mean freelancelawfirm.com" it will get you there. But I don't think you'll find your answer there. Do you use a link shortener? If so, do you use bit.ly? Let me know, and I can go through the steps for you.
Grant, the link to my name in the series appears broken, you might want to check it out if you have time. Thanks.
Hi Donna
Thanks for the offer to help explain this to me. I do use bit.ly
Is the process outlined to take a link from another blog, shorten it on bit.ly and then imbed it in my blog post?
If that is so - Im OK with this part.
Its the next step Im not familiar with at all. How does bit.ly track all this and how do I access these stats?
Cheers
Rosemary
PS the broken link is when I click on your name
Hi: When you access your bit.ly account, can you see the history or your shortener use and how many click-throughs there have been? I can't remember if this happens automatically or if you have to install a tool, If you don't see your link history on your bit.ly account page, let me know, and I'll investigate further.
Got it thanks Donna. There is a link to click on on bit.ly which shows number so click throughs. Much appreciated :) R
So glad you found it. First time I've been able to pay-it-forward - I've been helped so much along this road! Are you on twitter? We should connect.
Love to stay connected Donna.Im on twitter but email is really my thing - Im older than I look :)
So am I!
Ha. blogrolls are so 1999. True dat! Organic linking is more natural and healthy. The way you focus on the conversational aspect of blogging reminds us where to focus. SEO is an uber-cool side effect, but conversation is the whole point. If you're not engaging PEOPLE, what good does SEO do anyway?
Links in-post get clicked on more than blogroll links, so if you have sites that you really want to show respect for and send traffic to, there are better ways to do that than with a blogroll.
Great post, Grant.
Thanks Michael - What is interesting is the very fact you mentioned in your comment. Links in a post get many more clicks than those in a blogroll. While some may feel they are doing their readers a favor, I very much doubt their readers are clicking on those links in a blogroll. In fact, I would bet you, their readers are not even noticing the blogroll. If someone feels they just have to have a blogroll, do what we did and make it a page. And make those who want to be on the list, do the work. I look at the wasted blog sidebar real estate that is wasted by blogrolls and I wonder what they could be putting there instead.
Blogrolls are just so 1999. Yes they did serve a purpose when blogging first started. But not so much now.
Putting links in your blog posts is essential. What's cool is, if you use bit.ly as a link shortener, you can then go to bit.ly and see how many people clicked on the link in your blog post. You'd be surprised how many people click through.
On another topic, Grant, I've checked out backtype.com and it does aggregate your comments, but only those that require you to input your URL. I've just emailed them to ask how to get other comments included and will let everyone know (i.e., comments to posts in LinkedIn groups do not require a URL to post).
One questions (I know I'm off topic here again, sorry), how do you syndicate your blog posts without having to go to each website and inputting it (besides twitter, LinkedIn & facebook). Ping.fm does not include a way to input unsupported websites. Thanks.
The way many blogrolls are done, I can see your point. Endless lists of blogs that no one has time to look through serve no real purpose.
However, a "Recommended by Me" or "I Regularly Read" list of 5 to 10 blogs that you personally recommend is something that I think is relevant. Provided those links are to blogs that you do regularly read and interact with, your readers will find value and the other blogs will find value -- an important part of FLEE.
Simple links in a post are valuable (and may get more clicks than an average blogroll) but they are not visible all the time, only the post that contains them.
I agree that there is some usefulness to a blogroll built around a particular theme, and I particularly agree with the point that blog posts need to include organic linking. I've been doing that for a while. Today's lesson is a good reminder to cull the blog roll for blogs that are no longer active or compelling.
Donna
I tried to click on the link to your site but its broken. Im not sure i understand what youve written and would love to know more about how this works.
Hi, Rosemary: I'm not sure why it's broken, but if you click on "did you mean freelancelawfirm.com" it will get you there. But I don't think you'll find your answer there. Do you use a link shortener? If so, do you use bit.ly? Let me know, and I can go through the steps for you.
Grant, the link to my name in the series appears broken, you might want to check it out if you have time. Thanks.
Hi Donna
Thanks for the offer to help explain this to me. I do use bit.ly
Is the process outlined to take a link from another blog, shorten it on bit.ly and then imbed it in my blog post?
If that is so - Im OK with this part.
Its the next step Im not familiar with at all. How does bit.ly track all this and how do I access these stats?
Cheers
Rosemary
PS the broken link is when I click on your name
Hi: When you access your bit.ly account, can you see the history or your shortener use and how many click-throughs there have been? I can't remember if this happens automatically or if you have to install a tool, If you don't see your link history on your bit.ly account page, let me know, and I'll investigate further.
Got it thanks Donna. There is a link to click on on bit.ly which shows number so click throughs. Much appreciated :) R
So glad you found it. First time I've been able to pay-it-forward - I've been helped so much along this road! Are you on twitter? We should connect.
Love to stay connected Donna.Im on twitter but email is really my thing - Im older than I look :)
So am I!
Ha. blogrolls are so 1999. True dat! Organic linking is more natural and healthy. The way you focus on the conversational aspect of blogging reminds us where to focus. SEO is an uber-cool side effect, but conversation is the whole point. If you're not engaging PEOPLE, what good does SEO do anyway?
Hi Grant,
I gotta disagree. A "blogroll" is still useful. I certainly agree with what you wrote about linking out in your posts (I link out all the time). But you can link out in your posts and still have a list of other related blogs on your sidebar.
I maintain a sidebar list of Social Security law blogs (my niche). It is way to pay respect to those who came before me, and a way to acknowledge the new people who have just started. And as a legal blogger, I am always touched when someone adds my blog to their blogroll.
I concede that those sidebar "blogroll" links have little SEO value. But a blogroll is not about SEO. It is about community and respect. So I will continue to link out in my posts, but I will also maintain my blogroll.
Hi Grant,
I gotta disagree. A "blogroll" is still useful. I certainly agree with what you wrote about linking out in your posts (I link out all the time). But you can link out in your posts and still have a list of other related blogs on your sidebar.
I maintain a sidebar list of Social Security law blogs (my niche). It is way to pay respect to those who came before me, and a way to acknowledge the new people who have just started. And as a legal blogger, I am always touched when someone adds my blog to their blogroll.
I concede that those sidebar "blogroll" links have little SEO value. But a blogroll is not about SEO. It is about community and respect. So I will continue to link out in my posts, but I will also maintain my blogroll.
I never bothered with a blogroll. Thank you for reaffirming that my instincts to not have one were correct. Great advice on what to do instead.
I never bothered with a blogroll. Thank you for reaffirming that my instincts to not have one were correct. Great advice on what to do instead.
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