Content & Writing Tycoon

**pageupseo** · 05:38 AM

I have heard many times about link baiting but I am confused here means exactly don't know what is link bait?

**chrishirst** · 10-04-2010, 05:40 AM

It more correctly called having great content.

You simply write something that people HAVE to tell people about.

**metho** · 10-04-2010, 12:30 PM

Any content or gimmick on a site that's specifically designed to attract links from other website. I disagree entirely it's called 'having great content'. Link bait is content or a site feature that's designed to generate the most interest to those that are capable of linking to webpages. You might have some unique ideas about the future of blogging, be the first to break some industry news, or have some diabolically funny stories to tell or funny animations - stuff like that makes good link bait.

**Crimson** · 10-04-2010, 05:25 PM

I agree it's not just great content, in fact it's often the opposite. Sensationalist headlines, top 10 lists, funny pictures / videos, deliberately writing something incendiary / gossipy / controversial about a popular topic ("Is Lady Gaga a man? Shocking new pics!"), exaggerating, etc. These things will get you traffic / links but are not exactly useful or high quality.

**chrishirst** · 10-04-2010, 06:05 PM

So you think that having content that people actually WANT to read doesn't come under the description of "good content"

Good content isn't necessarily a lengthy discourse on the life cycle of the West African giant snail or a 10,000 word dissertation on the meaning behind "Mullholland Drive"!

Good content is what people want to see whether it be:

150 words on what dress [insert celebrity] was wearing to a party.
A review of the latest trainer from Nike.
A review of the latest blockbuster.
A unique take on a news story.
A personal opinion on something.

Whatever it is does not matter, if it is well written, interesting. readable maybe entertaining, it's good content.

Then if you actually promote it to the right audience, natural links will follow.
No need to create fake profiles on SM sites, no need to link drop at every opportunity people are going to do that for you!

**chrishirst** · 10-04-2010, 06:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crimson

I agree it's not just great content, in fact it's often the opposite. Sensationalist headlines, top 10 lists, funny pictures / videos, deliberately writing something incendiary / gossipy / controversial about a popular topic ("Is Lady Gaga a man? Shocking new pics!"), exaggerating, etc. These things will get you traffic / links but are not exactly useful or high quality.

This is the point "good content" ISN'T copy and pasting from wikipedia, it ISN'T republishing other peoples articles no matter how good they are.

What good content really IS, is YOUR personal take on things, whether it be a forum post or a lengthy article.
There are some posts at this forum that would class as GREAT content in only 20-25 words and some that are a couple of hundred words or sheer drivel.
Don't judge good content by it's length. As they say "size isn't everything"!
Don't judge it by it's value to humanity, to you it might be pointless gossip, to others it's entertainment.

"Beauty is in the eye of the beholder"

**metho** · 10-04-2010, 06:27 PM

I think you're impinging your own ideals about quality content onto link bait. The goal of link bait is incoming links. Whether the means is perceived as good or bad content is beside the point.

**chrishirst** · 10-04-2010, 06:44 PM

Not so.

I see good content as something I enjoyed reading, maybe because it was interesting, enlightening, amusing, entertaining, educational, etc etc. Or maybe it was controversial, inaccurate etc, and any of those may earn a link, maybe in a forum post to point out where it is inaccurate, maybe I'll link to something that is worth further discussion.

Link bait doesn't have to be controversial, though being controversial can invoke more reactions than agreeing with the topic.

Hell I sometimes bait some of you into more discussion if you did but realise it

**ThailandForum** · 10-04-2010, 06:52 PM

Quote:

As they say "size isn't everything"!

I think she may have lied to you

**metho** · 10-04-2010, 08:03 PM

So to paraphrase your definition of link bait chris, link bait is: "something you enjoyed reading... and may earn a link". A bit on the relative side don't you think?

**chrishirst** · 10-04-2010, 08:37 PM

You can't FORCE links from people who read your content, you have to "impress" them in some way.
Maybe you should actually understand that links ARE votes, citations, signs of approval, recommendations or suggestions to others and so on.
Is that you are all so indoctrinated into the idea that links are only for search engines that no-one can figure out their REAL use?

It seems that as usual, real users come a poor second to "what search engines want"

**metho** · 10-04-2010, 10:29 PM

Who mentioned search engines? No one in the thread thus far have except yourself.

The point I'd like to clarify is that link bait can be good, bad, or ugly; makes no difference. It only has to be interesting enough to those with the capacity to make links. Not much point in planting link bait that appeals to prisoners for example; not many have access to the web.

**chrishirst** · 10-05-2010, 08:58 AM

2 points:
One is the OPs forum handle pageupseo.
Two is what you do not and could not know is this thread originated in the Google forum and I moved it to this more appropriate location.

*================================================= *

I use the term "good content" in a broad sense, as in "fit for purpose". I am not narrowing it down weighty words on a topic or an authoratitive work about a subject. So if the purpose of the content was to garner links and opinions and it achieves that goal then it is good. Not every site needs to be a "WikiPedia"

Today and for the next couple of days "good content" (or "link bait") could be a short article or blog post about the death of Norman Wisdom and what his style of comedy and acting meant to you.

**metho** · 10-05-2010, 09:12 AM

Quote:

what you do not and could not know is this thread originated in the Google forum and I moved it to this more appropriate location.

Well that changes the f'n context of the OP's question doesn't it. What a waste of time. Link bait for seo purposes is a completely diff kettle of fish (a shoddy kettle).

**chrishirst** · 10-05-2010, 10:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by metho

Well that changes the f'n context of the OP's question doesn't it. What a waste of time.

Not a waste of time IMO. It has generated some discussion that may be useful to current or future readers.
Which is the true purpose of a forum.

**ThailandForum** · 10-05-2010, 11:26 AM

So now would be a good time to do my Norman Wisdom was gay expose?

**beargy** · 10-19-2010, 03:47 PM

makes sense ... so the key is to use words that draw attention to the subject matter and draw people in to the link??

**HostMID** · 10-24-2010, 10:33 AM

Link baiting is anything (contents, resources, features, tools, coupons, etc) within your web site that interests people and make them talk about your web site or link to your web site.

**newbie2010** · 10-25-2010, 06:39 AM

Is there any plugin like "Tell a friend" to use in blog.

**Jhon Bosco** · 11-10-2010, 09:18 PM

Link Baiting is the medium to sales the link to the client that is best way