Link Bait - "Add this tool" functionality a benefit?

[privatefleet]

Hi all,

OK have created a neat little calculator for our site which should be pretty popular & a useful tool for web visitors.

Now my question is, from a SEO perspective is it better to:

a) Just have the tool available on my site for general use
b) Offer people the option to "add this tool to my site" where they can then insert the tool (& a link back to my site) on their site

Whilst I think option b) could be quite attractive and encourage more people so take some sort of action, I have a little concern that because all links are identical and coming from "within" the tool itself, Google might reduce the value of such links (reasoning that, the link back has been "forced" upon the wemaster rather than a genuine 'vote' for the site). Similarly, all anchor etxt would be identical so maybe Google will automatically flag the links as non-organic.

Does this make sense?

Many thanks

David

[Peter (IMC)]

You shouldn't worry about that at all. There's nothing wrong with asking for a link in return for using a free tool that you developed. You should be more worried about how many websites will actually use your tool. You'll find that that isn't going to happen as often as you might think.. Though I could be wrong of course. Who knows your tool becomes a hype, but the chances are small..

[privatefleet]

Thanks Peter,

Yes I know - always disappointing the response from these things! However there doesn't appaer to be a tool remotely like it out there at the moment so who knows it could be quite big... fingers crossed!

It's not the asking for a link - I'd actually look to embed the link inside the code and 'force' it upon people if they want to use the tool. Which is fair enough IMO

I guess it comes down to, if I do that, the link is actually a 'vote' for the tool, not the website where I'll promote it. But it's the website that I want credit given to by Google if possible.

If I just have the tool on my site, if people want to link they will just do so the normal way (with nice varied anchor text) and the PR juice will definitely be passed on.

Thanks again

[deepsand]

Originally Posted by privatefleet

It's not the asking for a link - I'd actually look to embed the link inside the code and 'force' it upon people if they want to use the tool. Which is fair enough IMO

I'm certain that not all would agree that such is "fair."

[privatefleet]

Originally Posted by deepsand

I'm certain that not all would agree that such is "fair."

Of course it is! It's up to the individual if they want to install the tool. Saying that they only want the tool if it has no link back is like someone saying I want to buy a can of Coke but I should have a right to demand a generic can without any Coke advertising... but it's actually worse because I'm not charging $$$ for the tool!

[deepsand]

Originally Posted by privatefleet

Of course it is! It's up to the individual if they want to install the tool. Saying that they only want the tool if it has no link back is like someone saying I want to buy a can of Coke but I should have a right to demand a generic can without any Coke advertising... but it's actually worse because I'm not charging $$$ for the tool!

But, is there full and clear disclosure of the fact that, by installing the tool, that they are also agreeing to allow the installation of an outgoing link to you?

If not, it's a deceptive practice.

Whether or not you charge money for the tool is of no import; the imposition of an undisclosed link constitutes the unilateral taking of consideration without consent.

[privatefleet]

Ah OK - I see your concern.
Agreed.
In this case, the link will be clearly disclosed - "Powered by XXX" (apart from hidden links being unethical for the reasons you describe above, from an SEO POV it would be a pretty risky way to approach it too. Obviously apparent hidden links are a massive no no).

Thanks for the feedback!

[deepsand]

Originally Posted by privatefleet

Ah OK - I see your concern.
Agreed.
In this case, the link will be clearly disclosed - "Powered by XXX" (apart from hidden links being unethical for the reasons you describe above, from an SEO POV it would be a pretty risky way to approach it too. Obviously apparent hidden links are a massive no no).

Thanks for the feedback!

Your are welcome.

Now, can you tell us what this tool does?

[privatefleet]

Sure - but it's probably quite boring to most people.

It calculates 'stamp duty' that Australians have to pay to the government when buying a new or used car. A disgraceful tax IMHO!

Anyway the tool is here -

Stamp duty calculations for new vehicles. Stamp duty in NSW, QLD, VIC,TAS,ACT,WA,SA. How to calculate stamp duty for all states in Australia : Private Fleet :

Any feedback gratefully received!

[deepsand]

Originally Posted by privatefleet

Sure - but it's probably quite boring to most people.

It calculates 'stamp duty' that Australians have to pay to the government when buying a new or used car. A disgraceful tax IMHO!

Anyway the tool is here -

Stamp duty calculations for new vehicles. Stamp duty in NSW, QLD, VIC,TAS,ACT,WA,SA. How to calculate stamp duty for all states in Australia : Private Fleet :

Any feedback gratefully received!

Here that would be called a Sales and/or Use tax, with each State having its own tax rate and distinctions as to what is and is not subject to taxation. Boring to most, but unavoidable for merchants

The general concept behind such taxes is to generate revenue from discretionary transactions as opposed to necessary ones. I.e., the purchase of necessary goods and/or services, such as food, clothing & shelter is tax exempt. So to is the purchase of goods intended for resale oft times exempt, with only the final sale potentially taxable.

While your tool does perform a necessary duty for some, that some is obviously but a very few. How many sites do you estimate would have a use for such? What value would it add to those sites? Is the value added to those sites greater than any that might be realized by you by way of IBLs? If so, might you not be better off not sharing this tool?

[privatefleet]

This tool should be useful to any individual who is looking to buy a new or used cars - more for the consumers rather than merchants so, with about 4mil cars being sold every year, I'm hoping there will be a useful market for it.

Maybe it's different here but stamp duty is paid by the buyer not the merchant..

Thanks for feedback!

[deepsand]

Originally Posted by privatefleet

This tool should be useful to any individual who is looking to buy a new or used cars - more for the consumers rather than merchants so, with about 4mil cars being sold every year, I'm hoping there will be a useful market for it.

Maybe it's different here but stamp duty is paid by the buyer not the merchant..

Thanks for feedback!

It was in light of that fact that your tool would be most useful to the consumer that led me to suggest a re-thinking of the planned deployment with embedded link.

As most users will likely not have a web site, those who install the toool are most likely to be those in or related to the business of selling vehicles, some of whom may be competitors of yourself, with others being those whose businesses complement your own.

While clearly the latter should be of little to no concern, clearly the former must be. One must consider the extent to which aiding a competitor harms your business, and weigh that against the value that might be received from your link appearing on their site.

The best alternative might be to allow installation subject to your approval.