Some months ago I began working alongside a team of Search Engine Optimizer Specialists at my place of work (as the SEO trainee). My initial task was to get my head around the SEO tactics currently being used in Search Engine Optimization today. Over time I had noticed the words - 'Links' or 'Linking' repeatedly come up whenever in group discussion. In the beginning, irrespective of the input I was receiving from my colleagues I took these tag-words with a "pinch of salt," believing there to be more relevant information to be obtained in line with key-route SEO success. Although it is true there are other relevant factors required for effective Search Engine Optimization such as meta-tagging, key wording, site mapping, on-going site-updating, etc it is now apparent to myself that website-linking does carry the majority-weight required for that overall SEO success.
My first important lesson learned and here is why: links give our websites link-popularity that otherwise give indication for recommendation from other companies for which web-crawlers/spiders recognize and include in their deciphering for website positioning in the Search Engine ratings. The more links a website can set up with other websites, the more popular it would seem and the better its chances of getting to page 1 on most Search Engines. I say "many" because, although many Search Engines work in relatively the same way, some of their result-determining-methods slightly differ, based on the results. For instance whilst you might see a particular website set in the 10th position on Google, the same website might come up as being in the 14th position on Yahoo!. Nevertheless the difference is never usually that great. Whilst it is important to obtain these links, it is also important to consider who you are linking too. Make sure the websites can be considered as safe and reliable. Is the information they are offering correct? Are there any references for their information? Do they check out? Are there any misleading or irrelevant links associated with that website? Take a backward step and be eyeful of what the whole site stands for based on its theme. It's just a matter of using common sense to determine what these websites stand for. If you come across a website that proves to be incorrect is it intended to be jokingly-incorrect or is it serious, yet misdirected? Be observantly aware when doing this because some sites, although intended to be based on a joke or "funny-theme" do not always give off that impression. It is also important to find out what sort of rating the site has. You can do this by downloading the Google toolbar off of the internet for which there is a particular tool button that immediately assesses the importance on a 0-10 basis of any given website according to Google's views. This is highly recommended. Remember, quantity is of a great importance to Search Engine Optimization, but if the quality of the website-links isn't there then you will be better off saving your efforts because you will not be doing yourself any long term favours in terms of site-positioning.
