Link bait is simply producing web content that is linked to by many web sources. Juicy link bait goes viral.
If this striking image was not here, you would be possibly thinking of moving on. Juicy link bait is pleasing distracting and fascinating. To some it is appearance or content. It might be cool article or a sexy image, or it might be a list of links to useful web resources.
The quantity and quality of inbound links are two of the many metrics used by a search engine ranking algorithm to rank a website. Link bait creation falls under the task of link building, and aims to increase the quantity of high-quality, relevant links to a website. Part of successful linkbaiting is devising a mini-PR campaign around the release of a link bait article so that bloggers and social media users are made aware and can help promote the piece in tandem. Social media traffic can generate a substantial amount of links to a single web page. Sustainable link bait is rooted in quality content.
Link Bait is a web reaction by users to web content. They value what is on that page sufficiently enough to link to it and possibly pass that on to others virally. This is how Stumble works. It is an emotional reaction. The key is in maintaining the links with the users and encouraging the spreading of the links by referrals from users to friends.
What makes Juicy Link Bait
- Sexy
- Shocking
- Controversial
- Funny
- Useful
- News
- Revolutionary
- Teaches
- TRUE
Ethical Link Bait?
There has been some debate regarding the ethics of link baiting. This is because according to the dictionary bait can mean lure as with fishing, but it can also mean
” deliberately annoy or taunt (someone)”
Link bait is ethical when it is true and faithful. Fake websites, fake blogs and forums – not declaring interests, creates a conflict of ethics. Lies by omission.
Viral Content
Ethical link bait is viral content but link bait is perhaps not the best choice of words. Viral content has a meme, a hook that makes people want to to pass it on. It is a Web of Mouth referral.
Here is a very interesting article on the demise of the internet due to Black SEO will link bait ruin the internet?
