What is link bait?

[Johnkennedy]

Hello,
I am to new to SEO, i want to know about link bait?

[freebetsfreetips]

Link bait is any content designed specifically to attract links, with the idea that some types of articles, eg top 10 lists, snazzy vajazzled infographics and the like are more likely to attract links than others. In reality the content has to be AMAZING whatever it is and even then the chances of getting natural links in a competitive market are very small.

[universal4]

I have moved this discussion to the root of SEO discussions since it could turn into an informative discussion on what link bait is and the use of it, and some members never bother viewing the link sections.

Please do not use this thread to solicit or drop links.

Rick
Universal4

[thebookiesoffers]

Hello,
I am to new to SEO, i want to know about link bait?

you are new to SEO but have stumbled across link bait already? Nah, not having that...

[Anthony]

You might be right about the spam set up and Rick did warn not use this thread to solicit or drop links.
Regardless, we have got to work from the "innocent until proven guilty concept", I have removed your attack.

[thebookiesoffers]

You might be right about the spam set up and Rick did warn not use this thread to solicit or drop links.
Regardless, we have got to work from the "innocent until proven guilty concept", I have removed your attack.

attack lol

[freebetsfreetips]

Attack!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I feel so naive now!

[xecutable]

This is the reason I did not reply to this thread. It does look like spam, and watch he wont even follow up his own thread. I believe freebetfreetips answered the question and to be honest, not much else to talk about this topic. It's like what is a 'tree'. One specific answer, no further discussion .

[-Shay-]

This is the reason I did not reply to this thread. It does look like spam, and watch he wont even follow up his own thread. I believe freebetfreetips answered the question and to be honest, not much else to talk about this topic. It's like what is a 'tree'. One specific answer, no further discussion .

Same screen name registered at another forum - listing his country as India making some similarly odd first post.
#justsayin

[xecutable]

Yup then it's 100% spam. I'd just delete the whole thread.

[UKCasinoOnline]

I love how hashtags are now being used in GPWA, LOL - Watch out, maybe Michael may implement them here, afterall, lots of twitter addicts used them on Facebook, and now they are live on there

[universal4]

The GPWA moderators and staff approach each post from the standpoint that every post members make should be treated with complete respect.

There are often times when a member (whether brand new or someone that has been around a while) may post a question that could turn out to be a setup for shilling or spamming.

But until that member actually starts shilling or spamming, they deserve the benefit of the doubt.

This is especially important because good discussions sometimes spring from what appear to be questionable posts.

If it turns out later that the OP comes back into the thread and attempts a shill or spam, at that time the moderators will take action on the spam, but allow the original discussion to continue in a normal fashion.

We are fully aware that this method is not 100% foolproof, and in many cases it may be correct that the posting is a setup for a shill.....but until it happens, it's a member with a question.

Rick
Universal4

[sarahangel]

Link bait is black hat seo technique. Google counts it as spamming.

[xecutable]

If you are gonna post something for the post count, make sure it's simply useless and not "useless + wrong". This way you can confuse a lot of new people looking around and might actually believe that Link Bait is a 'blackhat' technique.....

Producing a valuable content, that many people would be interested to read and post on blogs, forums etc, isn't blackhat nor Google considers it Spam.

[Nibor]

I know I am going to stir up a hornets nest by suggesting this, but could one not define 'link bait' as any piece of well written or worthwhile content. Afterall great content is going to pick up links and social shares naturally, does that not classify as 'link bait' if it it picks up links? I understand that the term link bait is often used in a negative sense like Freebetsfreetips says:

'Link bait is any content designed specifically to attract links, with the idea that some types of articles, eg top 10 lists, snazzy vajazzled infographics and the like are more likely to attract links than others.'

I couldn't agree more with this; however, I have heard people refer to 'link bait' as a positive thing i.e. you've put together some piece of content that people naturally want to share with others.

[universal4]

Glad to see that this thread is pointing back on track since I have always thought it could lead to a real discussion.

I agree X, link bait does not always have to lead to black hat stuff, and Robin's explanation defines it pretty well.

I think that many feel it is less than honorable since like many other things seo, some have tried to take unfair advantage, but like Robin said, almost any content if well written could be considered link bait if it generates enough interest that folks want to link to it.

This could be content that takes on the form of explaining a specific topic, or that answers a specific set of questions.

Rick
Universal4

[freebetsfreetips]

I didn't think my post implied it was negative - certainly wasn't the intention.

[Nibor]

I didn't think my post implied it was negative - certainly wasn't the intention.

Now that ruins my example

[Josephanna66]

Link bait is black hat seo technique. Google counts it as spamming.

I am not agree with you because if link bait is black hat SEO technique then why many seo companies are offering this service. This is just a ways to protect your site if you have any doubt with speed link building. For example if you are creating a web2.0 which link to your site then we promote our web2.0 page by link building not our site. By this way you can get additional traffics and a quality backlinks also.