Internet publishers looking to increase their traffic numbers are likely to have heard of a new term that's making some serious waves. Linkbaiting has quickly become a big trend in driving traffic to websites. The practice's legitimacy is a matter of debate, but the truth is many of its concepts are rather useful.



The word linkbaiting is relatively new, but the practices it now defines are not. The term itself is used to describe a number of measures that publishers take to gain incoming links to their websites or blogs. Some of these measures are considered rather legitimate, but not all are. A few of the practices that fall under this new term's focus include creating awards programs or contests, writing comments on high-traffic blogs or forums, giving other publishers tools or links to your site, creating high-quality content and so on.

The word itself might have a shady rap in the web world, but many of the measures involved are not bad. It's a simple fact that most publishers enjoy earning incoming links since they can increase traffic. In turn, the traffic spikes can boost a site's money-making abilities. Due to this, many search engine optimization businesses are even providing linkbaiting services to help their clients gain links. The reality is linkbaiting in and of itself isn't good or bad... it's all in how it's used.

In spite of its rocky reputation, linkbaiting has become a fairly popular practice. The reasons for this are many. The biggest is the traffic and potential income gains that can be realized. The second factor involves this practice's ability to help increase a site's page ranking. Since part of the page ranking formula involves incoming links, this practice can be very valuable.

Before diving into a linkbaiting campaign, it's a good idea for publishers to understand a few things. The first is that an increase in traffic is great for a website. The second is an increase in traffic that sends people to pages that are not useful, interesting or informative is not. For linkbaiting to really pay off, new traffic needs to be encouraged to return.

There are many different techniques that fall under the linkbaiting category. Some of the most common include creating tools for other websites to use that link back to yours, crafting surveys, quizzes and tests (people love these) that are fun and interesting, offering contests, writing a very unique and in-depth piece on a specific topic, creating awards programs and even adding interesting lists or humor to your blog or website. There are many other options to increase incoming links. Many of them, as you can see, just involve creating a fun, relevant or useful site.

Some of the undesirable methods for gaining incoming links can also be beneficial. These include writing attack pieces about other sites or issues, going for controversy or trying to drum it up, focusing on the shock factor and more.

It might be considered "bad" in some arenas, but the reality behind the linkbaiting concept is that it can work. Publishers that tend to flourish by using the method are those that actually provide a little meat for those who have been reeled in.