Link Building: Forum Signatures

[bbott]

I know it is benneficial to include my website link in my web pro world forum signature, and other webdesign related forums, BUT... would it be benneficial to include my link in other forums non related to web design?

For example, I have more than 1,000 posts on off-topic.com. Would it be good to include my link in my signature, or would this hurt me?

[rocos]

Of course, it will benefit you.

[bbott]

Of course, it will benefit you.

Even if the content is not related?

[sudhani]

A link is a link. There *might* be some benefit. At least, it won't harm you.

Another best part of it is ... you might get more leads ...

[happygolucky]

It won't do any harm.

Feel free to use my signature though - just in case :-)

[greeneagle]

This topic has been hashed, rehashed and is still being hashed in this bloody forum:
http://webproworld.com/viewtopic.php?t=19547

THE WEBMASTER FORUMS WILL NEVER BE A SPAMMING HAVEN!

If you want to post on this topic read that one there and then post your thoughts there.

IMO This thread should probably be locked after this post!

Ken

[happygolucky]

Yes the topic has been rehashed and will probably get asked about again. Freedom of speach though and you don't have to post. Perhaps someone might make one of the threads a sticky and that might solve the problem.

I don't think anyone was talking about a SPAMMING HEAVEN anyway just that sig links help. Even if they didn't someone might click on your links anyway.

[paulduffield]

This topic has been hashed, rehashed and is still being hashed in this bloody forum:
http://webproworld.com/viewtopic.php?t=19547

Ken

I found it useful even if only for the link ! Sometimes it is possible if you don't "live" on the forums to overlook a thread or two when it is very busy one.

I can't see what harm it does to revist things from time to time even if a new topic gets started. What exactly is the concern ? Using up disc space maybe? or that "if everybody" did it we would have unmanageable forums?

Indeed it almost begs the question about when and how do you decide to start a new topic on something - Is there a rule that everything need to be searched for prior to starting a "new" topic ?

An observation which in itself starts to make topics like this somewhat more interesting maybe? and that may not have otherwise come about. (Then again I haven't searched on this point yet so no doubt someone will refer me to another thread somewhere!;-) )

Oh and should we penalise you too Ken for expressing derogatory remarks about this forum! ;-)

[Dave Hawley]

As long as we understand there is no PR gain or Google ranking benefit.

[happygolucky]

As long as we understand there is no PR gain or Google ranking benefit.
Well that is open to debate. Lets agree to disgree until more concrete evidence is available.

[Dave Hawley]

http://www.webproworld.com/viewtopic.php?t=20911

When/if you have some proof to the contrary, let me know. Until then, I maintain that forum signature links do not help with PR or Google ranking.

[greeneagle]

happygolucky,

You should really take the time to read the reference thread I made above before trying to reinvigorate another useless debate. SPAMMING up your keyboard and offending the visitors at WPW, WMW, WDC, the SEO boards or anywhere else may amount to a temporary increase in traffic by forum readers that are curious about who you are and what you do, and believe me that increases at both ends of the spectrum. None of the professionals tolerate "me too's" very well and that is exactly what this kind of false propogation encourages, so roll your tounges back in, it just doesn't and isn't going to happen!

If you post something incredibly stupid or something incredibly insightful ----- Both will draw visitors!

GOOGLE has been severely publicly embarrassed by different BOMBING methods through dynamic media including Forums and Blogs, and believe me they have started putting on the brakes! Believe me...just before an IPO... If they don't demonstrate positive relevancy progress there..... the IPO will be worth many millions of "$$$, gidas - dollars, dolores, franc, euro...." less. Get the picture? There is absolutely nothing "OPEN FOR DEBATE"!, If there is, make a reasonable presentation in your next post, or don't bother.

LOL - IMO, take GOOGLE's advice on their Webmaster Resources Pages and spend your time.... how? Have you ever been there and read it through?

Ken

[happygolucky]

When/if you have some proof to the contrary, let me know. Until then, I maintain that forum signature links do not help with PR or Google ranking.
Well some of mine are already showing up as backlinks to another site and also on the MSN test search. Why don't you change you sig then Dave? - just have 1 link and the rest text if you're so sure.

[Dave Hawley]

Well some of mine are already showing up as backlinks to another site and also on the MSN test search.
That does not mean they are being used for PR or Google rank boosting.


Why don't you change you sig then Dave? - just have 1 link and the rest text if you're so sure.
Read the thread happygolucky, the same silly question was asked there a number of times. In fact I spelt out why I have a signature in the very first post.

Why not at least read the proof before attempting to discount it?

[happygolucky]

happygolucky,
You should really take the time to read the reference thread
You may have noticed that I posted to that thread. :-)


GOOGLE has been severely publicly embarrassed by different BOMBING methods through dynamic media including Forums and Blogs, and believe me they have started putting on the brakes!
Yes that is true but what we don't know yet is how they will deal with it.


LOL - IMO, take GOOGLE's advice on their Webmaster Resources Pages and spend your time.... how? Have you ever been there and read it through?
Yes. And your point is?

Ok. Since I posted in the middle of an edit - here is my update. One thing I agree is that we don't re-start this debate here. So I won't be posting again to this thread :-). Having re-read your arguments again though I am not totally convinced that forum sigs don't help anchor text. I'll keep an open mind though.

[Dave Hawley]

ooohh why do I get the impression happygolucky has already made up his/her mind and is not going let facts cloud the issue.

[greeneagle]

Seems like more,
"DeJaVooDoo"!
Huh, Dave?

This will probably be my last response here unless it gets out of hand again. It's just not worth my time going there again.... We can spank em in the individual threads if that is what it takes!

Here's another analogy Dave;

I have a 6 month old 60lb Rottweiler puppy that almost exactly reminds me of the "Spamming Mentality". When he gets on the scent of something:

He
1) Drools all over, slimes everything up, he can have a mouth full of dirt and sand, just dripping off in the drool and doesn't even seem to know the difference.
2) Chews the bark off of branches just to find wood underneath, again,
3) When medicating, my hand comes out of his mouth slimed like a “Men In Black” movie
4) He will dig the whole back yard up (1 acre) chasing elusive moles and gophers and never catch them!
5) He places dung land mines all over the yard.
6) He even eats - “ONLY WHEN IT TASTES GOOD”!

I really believe there could be some serious money to be made in a new endeavor; "SPAMAHOLICS ANANAMOUS"...

What do you think Dave, Want to partner up on it? I'll even bet the government will recognize it a "real problem" now and allow a non-profit charter!, What do you think?

This was my post #888, Thank God it wasn't #777, probably should have been #666!

LMAO
Ken

[Dave Hawley]

LOL!. I think I have had enough in going around on circles on this one too.

Knock yourself out guys.

[northernladuk]

Well here is a practical example of how it can help, I see happygolucky has dating related sites in his sig and so do I so I will be contacting him about how we can help each other....only found it through the sig so it was worth him posting it... Sorted!!

:D