Text references without links - any value?

[casionmark]

Hi -

Is there any value in having a reference to your website within a body of text, but WITHOUT a link? Obviously I wouldn't expect it to the have anything like the value of a backlink with anchor text. But does Google count this at all?

Thanks in advance,

[MJM]

You are talking about a citation, and yes they have value.

[casionmark]

Thanks. Is the value A LOT lower than backlink? I have been offered a citation over a backlink in a piece of text I"m writing and I want to know whether I should refuse, or whether its still worth the time with the citation. thanks.

[TravG]

It cant hurt right?

[MMM]

I think it's good to have some of those. Maybe you can ask for nofollow link?

Btw, the link in your sig is broken.

[Alex_PlayAttack]

Hi All,

Few weeks ago I saw a research of some of big SEO agencies, they made a wide long term test and found zero influence of text citation (like gpwa.org for example) on ranking. Can't find that article fast (not even sure it was in English), but the conclusion was clear.

[IDS]

They do have value.

Google's algorithm is getting more and more sophisticated and it looks for every different clues of whether or not your brand is genuine.

If your brand is known then the people will talk about it. If it's not then no one will talk about your brand.

Would I get a mention from a site without a link? Probably not.

But does it have some value? Yes it does.

The purpose of the SEO game is to get more pieces of the puzzle together. Mentions to your site without a link is a part of the puzzle.

Hi -

Is there any value in having a reference to your website within a body of text, but WITHOUT a link? Obviously I wouldn't expect it to the have anything like the value of a backlink with anchor text. But does Google count this at all?

Thanks in advance,