LinkSmart Raises $4.7M to Dynamically Change Links
-
LinkSmart is a startup trying to put a new spin on link management by providing a platform to dynamically change links. They just raised $4.7M, and TechCrunch posted a quick blurb on them here that is worth reading.
In short, the application will allow a site owner to change all of the text links on their site in real-time. The idea is that this will help improve click-through rates, optimize traffic, etc.
How do you guys see this from an SEO perspective? It seems a bit scary from an indexing standpoint if links are never consistent. Also, the flow of link juice will be inconsistent.
Any thoughts?
-
My guess is that the analytical aspect - which helps decide what links should go where and when - is really where the money is at. I have a friend who worked at Yahoo on their front page algorithm (what news stories show for who at what times) and I can tell you that it is worth millions for them to get that right. Maximizing that equation maximizes page views, which in a CPM advertising arrangement is far more important that just unique visits.
-
There isn't much information, but my guess is most of their links are dynamically created or modified with Javascript, which means the impact on Google would be minimal.
-
It won't impact SEO. They add links via Javascript snippet after the DOM is loaded. Google will not index the links.
The service is more for putting in links in relevant spots, so that users will be more likely to click a link. $4.7M is quite a bit IMO, as this certainly isn't a new concept or product.
So in short, great for affiliate and advertising campaigns. Not relevant at all for SEO.
Got a burning SEO question?
Subscribe to Moz Pro to gain full access to Q&A, answer questions, and ask your own.
Browse Questions
Explore more categories
-
Moz Tools
Chat with the community about the Moz tools.
-
SEO Tactics
Discuss the SEO process with fellow marketers
-
Community
Discuss industry events, jobs, and news!
-
Digital Marketing
Chat about tactics outside of SEO
-
Research & Trends
Dive into research and trends in the search industry.
-
Support
Connect on product support and feature requests.
Related Questions
-
What is the best link building software out?
currently i heard that rankerx is the best linkbuilding tool out now, is there anything better?
Industry News | | djgbshows0 -
Will editorial links with UTM parameters marked as utm_source=affiliate still pass link juice?
Occasionally some of our clients receive editorial mentions and links in which the author adds utm parameters to the outbound links on their blog. The links are always natural, never compensated, and followed. However, they are sometimes listed as utm_source=affiliate even thought we have no existing affiliate relationship with the author. My practice has been to ask the author to add a rel="norewrite" attribute to the link to remove any trace of the word affiliate. I have read that utm parameters do not affect link juice transfer, however, given the inaccurate "affiliate" source, I wouldn't want Google to misunderstand and think that we are compensating people for followed editorial links. Should I continue following this practice, or is it fine to leave these links as they are? Thanks!
Industry News | | Terakeet0 -
Has anyone noticed an Adwords algorithm change early this month?
I was digging into one of my accounts and noticed that previous well-performing ads were not being shown this month. My settings are set to Optimize for conversions: Show ads expected to provide more conversions but whichever way I look at the data, ads that were doing well previously are now only being shown about 0.1% of the time. Has anyone experienced this before or know of a possible Adwords algorithm change?
Industry News | | Snaptech_Marketing0 -
How do you evaluate algorithm changes?
First a request: Please answer this only if you own/manage more than 5 to 10 sites. Also, please understand I am trying to go beyond speculation. With the current "pigeon" update (as coined by SEL), we are seeing a lot of changes, good and not good. An example is within the real estate vertical. There is literally no "pack" whatsoever. Page one for every major real estate search in Houston: houston real estate, homes for sale, townhomes for sale, etc. is now populated by a major RE vertical player. All of these companies use the real estate rules, hire a broker, then scrape RE data from other MLS brokers. So, there is not a single Houston real estate company showing on Page one for any of these searches. Zillow, Trulia, HAR, etc. dominate the entire organic page. Within other verticals it is a mixed bag of results. A home service provider shows up with their outlying offices for searches on that service and Houston. Etc. Just curious how those of you who handle multiple sites analytically approach learning what is going on. I know what we do, but am very interested in others methodologies.
Industry News | | RobertFisher
Best EDIT for Clarification: I am speaking to how do you evaluate the changes (the effects of) over a fixed period in order to draw a conclusion as to what has changed, how that affects your clients, and what you will do now given the change and the knowledge you have gained.3 -
Very odd behavior. Google is changing “%20” to “+” in my URLS
I just realized many of the links on my site are BROKEN when entered from a Google SERP. This didn’t used to be this way. I have no idea what’s going but I’m worried. It involves a folder of our site that has a space in it. Google is even displaying the proper “%20” in the SERP but when I click the link it replaces that “%20” with a + which breaks the link!! You can see this in action by typing in “brown jordan sheffield furniture” without quotes into Google. You’ll see our site come up first and displaying this link sheffieldfurniture.com/Other%20Furniture/BrownJordan.html but when you click it the link is broken! This is happening on many of our pages! Anyone know what in the world is going on?
Industry News | | SheffieldMarketing0 -
How can you change 'Google related searches'?
I am having problems for a few clients where google is suggesting negative related searches. I have had success getting Google suggestion (auto-complete) to suggest the keywords we want to be associated with the brand but the 'Searches Related to....' at the bottom of the search page is a big problem. Many of the terms are negative of sometimes defamatory and have absolutely not relevance to the brand. Even upon clicking on the related searches the pages Google displays are about other businesses. Can anyone suggest how to teach Google these term are irrelevant or any other suggestions as to how to remove them?
Industry News | | skehoe0 -
Anyone seen any dramatic changes in SERPs 18th Feb?
Hi Guys, Wondering if there has been an algorithm update or new Panda released today? Not seen any news in Google yet however noticed fair shuffle of all results in my niche, particularly in the top 3. The main take I've had from the brief research is that the brands in the niche have popped up a few spots and blogs / affiliate sites etc have dropped. Results noticed using Google.co.uk
Industry News | | shloy23-2945840 -
Do "big" SEO companies remove links after termination of service?
Or worded differently: Has anyone heard of "big" SEO companies removing links after termination of service? I have a client who isn't particularly happy with the SEO he's getting from a big Aussie SEO firm, and he wants to terminate, however they've built thousands of links for him and he's a little concerned they might all get pulled. Has anyone heard of this happening, or; Do you think this is a legitimate concern? I think its physically possible to remove backlinks like this because it seems the SEO firm in question is building links by using other client's websites. I also wonder if they might have large content farm style sites where they place links for clients which might be quite easy to take down. Please discuss!
Industry News | | CheapGames990