About nofollow

[vardan]

Are those redirects hardcoded into your pages/template or are them generated by a plugin?

I think those redirects are hardcoded into the template, because there is a option on the theme framework to create redirections for aff. links.

[dfiocch]

I think those redirects are hardcoded into the template, because there is a option on the theme framework to create redirections for aff. links.

If you are able to locate the source file (usually php) of those "redirects", feel free to send me the entire code (via PM here or just navigate on our site, bottom of page, "contact us"). I will take a look

P.s.: are you from Barcelona? I'm coming in April 25,26 and 27 for a short weekend. My wife felt in love with Barcelona... it's the time to visit it!

[universal4]

If you handle affiliate links WITHOUT a plugin and just add the no-follow manually then there is no need to worry about whether the link is handled correctly or not.

It seems to me that a plugin that changes ALL external links would also set all links to link partners (I know not that many any more) or any other source you may WANT to have a follow link pointing at would also be changed.

I would also think that every single link clicked would also mean another query to the database tables for the plugin to work, which adds more overhead, which is un-necessary when adding the no-follow to the link in the first place.

Rick
Universal4

[vardan]

If you handle affiliate links WITHOUT a plugin and just add the no-follow manually then there is no need to worry about whether the link is handled correctly or not.

It seems to me that a plugin that changes ALL external links would also set all links to link partners (I know not that many any more) or any other source you may WANT to have a follow link pointing at would also be changed.

I would also think that every single link clicked would also mean another query to the database tables for the plugin to work, which adds more overhead, which is un-necessary when adding the no-follow to the link in the first place.

Rick
Universal4

Thanks for your post, Rick.

Certainly the method you have mentioned is the best and I'll use it when I learn how to do it without any risk.
The plugin I've installed has an option to ignor urls, so I've already set "follow" for some domains like google, facebook, twitter and for partners I'll do the same.

[universal4]

If the risk you refer to is the worry about changing or editing or "altering" the link, that risk is easily reduced by NOT altering or changing any portion of the href section. (what is inside the quotes after the href)

Adding the no-follow tags, alt tags, title tags or opening in a new window etc does NOT change anything inside the href part of the link, since other "attributes" are outside of this section.

Rick
Universal4

[Ares]

Great replies, very helpful. Thank you very much.

[Ares]

And a relevant question:
Do you use link shorteners like bitly etc? Is there any benefit in using shorteners? Some people say this way you can hide the aff links...

[universal4]

You can hide affiliate links simpler than that and keep them as an internal links.

We have a number of threads here discussing the many different ways of hiding affiliate links.

I will see if I can scare up a link to the threads for you.

Rick
Universal4

Here are a few threads where we discuss hiding affiliate links and some of the most popular methods.

https://www.gpwa.org/forum/hide-affi...le-215224.html
https://www.gpwa.org/forum/better-lo...ks-214339.html
www.gpwa.org/forum/how-mask-affiliate-links-219172.html

[Ares]

Thanks for your reply.
Now the important question is: what are the benefits? Many people say that there is no Seo improvement in hiding links and I believe it. Others say the visitor doesn't like to click on affiliate links... Hmmm...

[nwalker]

So whats the impact of just using the affiliate links as supplied by the aff program. I've not put no follow in any of mine, I didn't realise you had to or could.

What damage am I doing to my site and positions. Should I change them all to no follow?

If I do what positive impact will I see and where will I see it?

[Ares]

So whats the impact of just using the affiliate links as supplied by the aff program. I've not put no follow in any of mine, I didn't realise you had to or could.

What damage am I doing to my site and positions. Should I change them all to no follow?

If I do what positive impact will I see and where will I see it?

Well, to tell you the truth, I don't think you are doing a crime.
Yes, your sites just might see a small improvement if you do it.
Basically google wants transparency. An affiliate link is an obviously paid link, so you are not trying to fool google and that's good.
The nofollow thing was emphasized for guest posting, when a paid link is presented as natural link when it is not.

[RyanWeb]

I nofollow all my aff links.. I started years ago and now I just do it because, i always have. I doubt it makes a huge difference anymore, but I still kinda have OCD about it lol

[ocreditor]

I nofollow all my aff links.. I started years ago and now I just do it because, i always have. I doubt it makes a huge difference anymore, but I still kinda have OCD about it lol

I think that the only difference is from Google side, a nofollow link is not "counted" by Google as regular external link and you want to control & manage your external link !

[MMM]

I no-follow all aff links. I am not sure that's the right thing to do but from what i read about link juice it makes sense. I do follow relevant resources but not aff links.

Regarding hiding aff links: for me the reason not to place an aff link everytime but to direct them is about control and i think it's important.

If you place an aff link on each page, it will be impossible to update them in the future when you have hundreds and thousands of pages. Sometimes programs change their link structure, or you want to direct to a new landing page- if you set all your ABCCasino links through /visit/abccasino, then you can make the update within seconds. Otherwise - it might take you a day and still you'll miss some.

Last, by doing so you are keeping your converting pages secret and not sharing them with your affiliate program. I think it also makes sense.

[ocreditor]

...

If you place an aff link on each page, it will be impossible to update them in the future when you have hundreds and thousands of pages. Sometimes programs change their link structure, or you want to direct to a new landing page- if you set all your ABCCasino links through /visit/abccasino, then you can make the update within seconds. Otherwise - it might take you a day and still you'll miss some.

Its indeed very hard to update hard-coded aff links, I would strongly suggest to avoid this and find another solution, manual updated are not realistic... unless you have 1 website with not too many pages.

[MrBinaryAff]

There is a good plugin for WordPress for example called PrettyLink, it helps to see how many click you get from those links and you can easily change them if needed!

[PROFRBcom]

Thanks for tips,

What to do with the the links of the banners? There are banners with a few affiliate links, so I am a bit confused, I have to add ref="nofollow" there too, or the banners are "untouchable"?

I never host banners from the sites. I've seen so many of those break and the AMs be unaware of the problem... meanwhile your website looks out of date and ill maintained. Always host them on your own servers, and always nofollow the embedded links!

Thanks for your reply.
Now the important question is: what are the benefits? Many people say that there is no Seo improvement in hiding links and I believe it. Others say the visitor doesn't like to click on affiliate links... Hmmm...

Perhaps you could do some A/B testing on the matter over the course of a few months and see which nets you higher CTR and signup ratios?