Internet linking strategies

What is link popularity and why is it important?
Link Popularity is a score that search engines give to a web site based on how many quality links are pointing to or linking to any particular page in your web site. The greater your link popularity, the more important, or relevant, search engines consider your web site. Good link popularity can dramatically increase traffic to your web site. Since most search engines factor in link popularity into their relevancy algorithms, increasing your link popularity score can help your web site’s position in the SERPS. However, it is important to remember that each search engine’s algorithm is different.
2. Are there different types of links?
There are 4 main classes of links that contribute to your web site’s overall link popularity score:External/Outbound - An external link is a link on your web site that leads to an outside web site. This type of link is used when you want to provide additional or complimentary information to the user. Internal - Internal links are links on your web site that lead to other pages within your web site. A good internal linking strategy will enable all of your pages to be found easily by both search engine spiders and users alike. Inbound – An Inbound link is a link on another web site that directs the user into your web site. Inbound links are important because search engines see them as being indicative to quality. Reciprocal/Link exchange – Reciprocal linking is when two or more web sites agree to display each other’s web site link somewhere on their site. (IE exchanging an outbound link for an inbound link)
3. Are some links better than others?
Yes, it is true that all links are not equal. The effectiveness of the link depends on the following factors:Relevance - A relevant link means that the link is on a page or web site that has the same subject matter as the page it links to. For example, a link for the state bar association page to an attorney’s web site would be a relevant link. A link from a local floral shop would not be as relevant. Quality- A quality link means that the link is from a popular, well-visited web site. Link text - The text used to describe a link is important. You want to use relevant key phrases. For example, rather then a link that says “contact us,” using something like “contact a Minnesota bankruptcy attorney” will be more valuable. 
4. What exactly is PageRank and is it important?
PageRank is a measure of the relevance or importance of your web site to a user. It is based on the quantity and quality of inbound links as well as the content of the web site. PageRank is a value from 0-10, with zero being the least significant and 10 being the most relevant. Very few web sites are able to obtain the highest ranking of 10. PageRank is often abbreviated as PR, and Google determines this PR by evaluating how many web sites link to yours. A link from a popular and well-visited web site can be invaluable if it sends you qualified traffic that converts into clients. The true value of a link has absolutely nothing whatsoever to do with PageRank.
5. What can I do to increase link popularity?
Directory listings are an excellent way to gain link popularity. We recommend listing your website with as many directories as possible, both free and paid. If you belong to a trade association, local chamber of commerce, or rotary club, be sure to update your online profile with them to include your web site URL. Posting original content on your site and submitting articles to sites that publish articles is another excellent way to build your link popularity and drive your website.
6. What types of web sites should I not exchange links with?
We do not recommend link exchanges. This will trigger a search engine’s spam filter. This unnatural growth of links can be associated with “link farms” (a web site that exists solely to link to other web sites) and can be considered BAD in the eyes of the search engines. Some search engines penalize for this type of activity, and might even ban your web site from their index.
9. What does AdMarsh do to help increase link popularity for my site?
Inbound links are best developed by supplying AdMarsh with a list of professional organizations, civic organizations and professional contacts that are appropriate to request an inbound or reciprocal link with. We will then expand of that list wherever possible. It is very important that your web site is listed in the world’s major search engines and directories. For this reason, AdMarsh submits your web site to the top search engines and directories. Whenever possible, it is best to place all external links on a dedicated links page. AdMarsh recommends a “resource links page” for this reason.

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