URL in signature of discussion forum post
-
I used to see URL's in the signature part of discussion forum posts covering various topics but it does not seem popular anymore. It seems like a good way to build links and I am wondering why it is not used.
Suppose I ask a question about proper tooth brushing technique on the forum at "toothbrushingforum.com" and user "ToothBrushWizard" is nice enough to answer my question. I used to see signatures like this:
Good luck,
ToothBrushWizard
www.ToothBrushWizard.comIs this considered poor taste or are these links discounted by the search engines? Is it best to keep an updated profile with your URL and hope that forum users click through to it?
-
I think most of the responses addressed the question as if it concerned signatures on the SEOmoz forums. I believe Daniel was asking about signatures on forums in general.
I can share two observations regarding links in signatures:
-
some sites disable the links completely. If that is the case, you will know right away and there is your answer.
-
some sites allow the link, but add a "no follow" tag. It depends on the site preference and the software they use. You can always view the page source code and see if the no follow tag has been added, then you will know the answer for that site.
The topic is a double-edged sword. You want quality contributors to receive credit for their work. Then again, by allowing these links you will attract some poor quality responses.
-
-
Have no fear, EGOL. I am not a spammer. I was planning to offer meaningful contributions and build links at the same time. (Not here, I dont know much SEO yet.)
thanks to everyone for your replies!
-
LOL careful Steve - it took me just a couple months of answering questions here to skyrocket from a couple hundred points to "authority" level. Of course, I did have to provide a lot of answers that were given "good answer" status. But if that's all it took to get a sig link here...
Then again - if people really did stick around long enough (even a couple months) and really gave good enough answers to rise that way, I suppose everybody would win. Even if most bailed out after they got their link.
Then again - if they did it for the link, they could then possibly revert to crappy answers, knowing that the sig would be there even with crappy answers.
Yeah - before my head explodes, I'll just stick with the "hope they don't offer it" answer you guys gave.
-
There is also some discussion within the industry that links of that nature have been so seriously abused by spammers that Google now recognizes such link patterns and either devalues them (doesn't give them the link value to pass along) or may even ding the site where all those signature files are.
-
And that's not to mention the automated software that creates profiles and then spams signature links in forums everywhere with generic posts.
I'm with EGOL, no need to add an inventive for that stuff in here.
Having said that, I think it would be cool if Authority ranks, or Guru ranks or something were given the ability to have sig links. It's not like any spammer would stick around that long to get there.
-
It seems like a good way to build links and I am wondering why it is not used.
Lots of people enjoy getting that type of link.
However, a lot of those same people will participate in forums for no reason other than dropping those links.
The result is a lot of low-quality posts that really are nothing more than spam.
I hope that signature links are not planned for this forum.
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
-
Sponsored posts against Google guidelines?
I'm a bit confused. Every blog I try to outreach on always give me a quote for a sponsored post. Isn't this against Google guidelines because you paying for a link technically even though your paying for a post? Do you guys buy sponsored posts? Should this be avoided? How do you outreach to a blog that offers sponsored posts? They can smell that you want a link from a mile away and give you a nice fat quote.
Link Building | | The_Kiwi_Man1 -
Best Blog Post Length to get Links
Okay, kind of silly question but i am looking for some help interpreting an analysis done by John Doherty almost a year ago: http://moz.com/blog/what-kind-of-content-gets-links-in-2012 In the document he mentions the correlation that longer posts on average receive more links but the graphs were really hard to interpret (for me). Based on the data what is the correct size we should shoot for (most graphs were missing labels). Any one have any insight? Should i shoot for 300 words per post, higher, etc? Thanks! Kyle
Link Building | | kchandler0 -
Link Anchor Text post Penguin 2.0
I have heard a great variety of views concerning the anchor text used for link building post Penguin 2.0 but have yet to hear some consensus. Some say the anchor text for external links should be different than internal. Some say brand should be used on external and keywords on internal. Some say brand and a variety of keywords on external. Any thoughts on a strategy consistent with google expectations and guidelines?
Link Building | | casper4340 -
What holds more SEOweight, posts or blogrolls?
Was just wondering what hold more SEO weight: a post or blogroll? Additionally, are static html pages better to have links from or blogs? Thanks, Jimmy
Link Building | | jimmy02250 -
Which tool is best for analyzing link prospect urls
Hi Mozers, I am currently looking for the best tool for analyzing bulk urls which are potential link prospects. I would like information on seo quality metrics like rel=nofollow etc. Your advise is much valued. Thanks, Fuad
Link Building | | Fuad_YK0 -
Effectiveness of Forum Backlinks: specifically Paul's Backlinks
I know the general consensus is that these kinds of backlinks are of low value, however I'm curious as to anyones present day experience with them and if they are providing any value. More specifically, I am curious if they can do harm. I don't see how they could, as it would be a very easy tactic for an unscrupulous competitor to sabotage another by implementing them for their competitors. I can see possibly losing rank if they were discounted, however if this is the case, then it would only be rank that would not have been gained in the first place, minus those kinds of links. I ask because I have competing websites who have started to outrank me (they have been climbing and improving through each Google algorithm change in the past year), despite the fact that my mosrank and authority are better than every single one of them. But they have a sheer growing volume of backlinks that I can't match (seemingly low value when I look at their link profiles). Plus my domain is older (9 years as opposed to 3-4 years), and my site is clearly better (in terms of aesthetics, usability, content, etc), as well as my link profile being selectively cultivated from truly relevant sites. None the less, they are starting to kill me at this point -and I don't have the luxury of time. So....I was wondering about the wisdom of upping my volume of forum type links, as this is the only area of measurement where I can see my competitors are beating me. I am a believer in true, difficult, quality inbound marketing - however it is not getting the job done. Any thoughts on this?
Link Building | | csblev0 -
How to find all banklinks for a URL that forwards to a main URL
I have a client (yea! my second one doing seo) who has a law firm. He has a main site and then another site that just forwarded to his main website. He wants to find all the directories (and other places on the web) where his second site is listed. At the time when he was adding his firm into the directories, he was using his secondary url but now he wants to go back and use his main website. Unfortunately, he doesn't have a log of every place he added himself. I tried just searching Google for "mysecondarywebsite.com" (in quotes)for example but the SERPS return listings that aren't right. Suggestions?
Link Building | | Czubmeister0 -
Techniques for Finding Blogs that Accept Guest Blog Posts
I'm running into an issue where we are having difficulty finding blogs that accept guest blog posts after doing this on 300 or so blogs. We usually Google "guest post" related keywords with "blog" or take blogs off of lists of sites that accept guest blog posts. What techniques do you recommend? Do any of you use myblogguest.com with any success?
Link Building | | qlkasdjfw1