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  4. How to ask for a backlink?

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How to ask for a backlink?

Intermediate & Advanced SEO
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  • DojoGuy
    DojoGuy last edited by Jun 17, 2011, 7:18 PM

    Everyone knows backlinks ( plus content ) is the key to good rankings.

    BUT, how do you ask for a backlink without sounding douchey?

    Does anyone have a template or something they could share?

    1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
    • Doc_Sheldon
      Doc_Sheldon last edited by Jun 19, 2011, 2:13 AM Jun 19, 2011, 2:13 AM

      I'd certainly agree with that, Dunamis. I don't ask for links, and I don't respond well when asked for one, unless I have a relationship with the person.

      I have even been asked for one by someone I knew, and tried to explain nicely that an OBL from an SEO site to a real estate site didn't really make much sense for either of us.

      My advice, Rhys, would be to focus first on establishing a relationship. If the resulting relationship is solid, and both sites are relevant, a simple mention of your need to acquire more natural links may well spawn an offer.

      1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 2
      • KeriMorgret
        KeriMorgret @EGOL last edited by Jun 18, 2011, 1:59 PM Jun 18, 2011, 1:59 PM

        I'll just say I don't quite adhere to all of the TAGFEE bullet points and make sure that I'm not wearing my SEOmoz tshirt when I reply.

        1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
        • seanmccauley
          seanmccauley last edited by Jun 18, 2011, 12:31 PM Jun 18, 2011, 12:30 PM

          I would suggest that you try and be a little more focussed. Research sites that you might like to obtain a link from and if they have a good Domain Authority then its worth a few hours working on a strategy. Perhaps you have information they might be interested in? If they dont have their own SEO then perhaps running their site through site crawler and giving them a free mini site audit, reporting any broken links, etc. Achieve goodwill and remember the old adage 'Givers Get'

          1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
          • MarieHaynes
            MarieHaynes last edited by Jun 18, 2011, 9:47 AM Jun 18, 2011, 9:47 AM

            What I'm finding is that I rarely get success in asking for a link unless I have some kind of relationship with the person.  Sometimes all that it takes in order to have "relationship" is a few back and forth tweets or some facebook comments or for me to have left a few comments on their blog.

            I think we all get so many spammy link requests that we tend to shut the door when anyone comes knocking!

            1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 2
            • EGOL
              EGOL @KeriMorgret last edited by Jun 17, 2011, 9:07 PM Jun 17, 2011, 9:07 PM

              ...unless I'm in a bad mood, and then it's not a positive response.

              Haha... do you tell them to jump in a lake?

              KeriMorgret 1 Reply Last reply Jun 18, 2011, 1:59 PM Reply Quote 0
              • KeriMorgret
                KeriMorgret last edited by Jun 17, 2011, 8:10 PM Jun 17, 2011, 8:10 PM

                Hi Ryhs,

                Here are a couple of other Q&A threads and posts that may provide some ideas. I don't do a lot of link outreach myself, but I do get a fair amount of spam link requests that are obviously taken from a boilerplate and not customized. Those never get a response from me, unless I'm in a bad mood, and then it's not a positive response.

                http://www.seomoz.org/q/when-going-about-asking-a-site-for-a-link-on-their-page-how-do-you-ask
                http://www.seobook.com/art-pitching-email
                http://www.seomoz.org/blog/dont-ask-sites-for-links-find-people-and-connect

                EGOL 1 Reply Last reply Jun 17, 2011, 9:07 PM Reply Quote 2
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