Links from social sites?

[ergobob]

Hello,

I have created a business profile on sites such as Facebook, MySpace, Squidoo, etc. The profile has links to my site and the content is business only. Then I joined several groups or communities with matching business interests. For each of these groups, I leave a post on their comment board along with a link to my site.

The profile pages are PR=3 to PR7 and almost all of the groups pages are PR=7. This seems like a great opportunity to place some oneway links on relevant and high PR pages.

Do you see any problem with this technique from a seach engine viewpoint?

Thanks,

Bob

[Ne0]

Hi Bob...

There is nothing wrong with using Social Media sites to bring about awareness of your site! That being said... I wouldn't worry too much about the PR value of these sites or even consider that when signing up... If you can create a buzz about your site / product / service then the Social Media site has done it's job...

.02

NeO

[brander]

Social Media Marketing seems to be in it's infancy, but the fact remains that some Basic SEO link building strategies are still in play. Meaning that if you build text links with your targeted keywords on your profiles and other places within these sites, it will give your some Search Engine Juice.

With the exception of myspace. Myspace has been and still is using some sort of java or server side scripting that causes all the links you build on your profile or elsewhere to be redirected from their servers. Thus more or less taking the link juice away from your site and leaving it on their own.

Not to worry, Search Engine Juice is not the only reason to use Social Media Marketing. It allows you define and reach segments of your targeted demographics two ways. One by giving your business exposure directly as you are doing, introducing yourself to groups and whatnot; and also by letting you set up text links with your keywords in the anchor on a number of well ranked pages.

Hope this encourages you to keep going for it and reaching your potential.

[chrisJumbo]

We haven't ventured there, yet. So I'm curious, when you said you posted links to your site on the group boards, was that a link to your business' site itself or the appropriate profile.

I'm always hesitant about this, because I don't want it to look like we are trying to spam the social sites.

cd :O)

[angelmom3]

I put my business as a business with my actual website addy on Shoutlife - hadn't ventured to myspace tho. Mostly just got alot of friend request the first 2 days and a few hits to my site, but no conversions.

Sue (I am allowed a sig link, right?)
Loving Hands Boutique (http://www.lovinghandsboutique.us)

[ergobob]

Hello ChrisJumbo,

I am linking to my site rather than to a profile when I post on one of the group pages. However, most of them do not permit HTML. You can post your link but there seems to be no way to get any anchor text.

I too, was concerned about spamming, but in terms of how the search engines would see it rather than the group. My link goes to a page that has a lot of resources for the topic of interest so people don't mind.

It seems that everyone is OK with linking from these social sites. But I guess you loose something if there is no anchor test. Would you all agree?

Bob (original poster)

[brander]

I guess I should clarify one point in my previous post. Anchor text by my definition is probably actually the wrong term all together.

I mean creating links that have a keyword or phrase within the link tags. That probably is not really an anchored text link. But it has been my experience that if your links do have keyword phrases within the link tags ie:

<a href="http://www.webproworld.com/newreply.php?do=postreply&t=61135">Links from Social Sites?</a> and also use a link description such as title="Links from Social Sites" the phrase within the tag is then equated to the URL in some way and you get a little "juice".

Many Social Networking Sites do allow some HTML and CSS within the profile builder, but there are limitations. And some of course do not allow profile customization, but do allow modifications that can include links back and descriptions. As well as numerous other venues to generate links back to your own site or simply a "call to action".

Learning to market to these predefined market segments within the social media sphere is an invaluable skill for any one who is seeking to use the internet to conduct commercial activities. Of course, this would be my point of view as I do this professionally. And also teach people to do it.

[williemanillie]

There is no SEO value in forums, as far as Google ranking is concerned, by just a signature line. You'd be much better off writing articles and blogs related to your website within the vertical market methodology than fumbling along in forums.

[ergobob]

Hi Brander,

The problem is that on many of the social sites you can not use HTML. So you have to go with a simple link such as http://www.my_site.com . No opportunity for keywords within the link itself.

But I think that the bare link can still help a bit.

Bob

[john@kapoo]

I too, was concerned about spamming, but in terms of how the search engines would see it rather than the group...

...It seems that everyone is OK with linking from these social sites. But I guess you loose something if there is no anchor test. Would you all agree?

Bob (original poster)

Hello there. For me, I do not place links on social networks for the primary goal of how "search engines would see it", as I'm sure the likes of Google know that every man and dog can easily create a FREE profile & happily link away to their site all day long in the hope of... Gaining weight in SE's? I honestly do not believe adding links in social networks as you describe will add much weight when it comes to search engines, just due to the fact it is so easily done - by millions. What does anyone else think about this point?

I do however believe it is "OK" to post the links, but, when I do this - Just like you have - You are finding groups etc that are linked in some way of interests to what you have to offer. Great! I do highly recommend that you create bonds with the community and not just plug away. Gaining respect in any community is paramount over trying to get a quick freebie plug in, IMHO.

Regards

John

[radu]

I agree with John, becoming an authority in your domain (at least a local authority :) ) would help more than just another link back. While the link-back to your site will help a little bit (directly by letting people know about your business but also for SEO reasons) the main advantage is somewhere else.

All best,
radu

[ergobob]

Thanks for all the feedback guys. Actually, we are an authority site in our area of interest. We are in the top 5-10 for basic terms such as User Interface Design, Human Factors, and Ergonomics along with several other modifiers such as consulting, consultant, company, etc.

I am trying to do two things. First, stay at the top of the SERPS over time and second, introduce a new page for a new keyword: Usability. I am at 21 right now for Usability on Google and hoping to push it to the top.

The people who read social sites are really not our potential customer but they are the ones who keep us at the top of the SERPS. So I agree with getting the buzz going with these groups but am also hoping to push the usability page a bit with the links.

Thanks Again,

Bob (Usernomics)