3 replies to this topic

[jerry]

Here is a linking technique that I have concerns about. Will it work or will it get you banned by Google?

Here is the technique:

A simple Hidden link will look something like this:

<img src="picture.gif" onclick="window.location('http://www.yoursite.com/yourpage.htm')">

The "picture.gif" phrase is the image file and http://www.yoursite.com/yourpage.htm is the page you're linking to. Everything else is part of the JavaScript syntax.

The advantage of this type of link is that it will let the visitor see the link and be able to use it to jump to your "Privacy Policy" page (or whatever unimportant page) without passing ANY of the page's PagaeRank "power" to your unimportant page because Google and the search engines can't "see" the link.

Thanks,

Jerry

[projectphp]

The advantage of this type of link is that it will let the visitor see the link and be able to use it to jump to your "Privacy Policy" page (or whatever unimportant page) without passing ANY of the page's PagaeRank "power" to your unimportant page because Google and the search engines can't "see" the link.

And why would you want to do that?

My advice is not to waste your time chasing your tail with these sorts of tricky techniques. Anything that sounds "clever" is probably, at best, a waste of time, and at worst spam.

Instead, focus on giving your users what they actually want. Do something productive like writing some additional content, providing them with a resource that they really want, or go out and get some good old fashioned PR. Public Relations that is.

The notion that the SE algorithm is something to be "cracked" and that Search Engines should be fooled is not the best approach to long term success. Instead think positively. What can I do to make my site the best? What can I add to make users keep coming back to my site, time and time again?

Your users are the most important ppl you have, so do what ever you can to make their experience better. Every time you attempt something, think: Is this making my site better for my users? If not, it is probably best not to do it.

Sure, make your sites search friendly, but going overboard with funnelling PageRank and the like is just time better spent elsewhere IMHO.

[Mel]

Hi Jerry:

Yes you can do that and it will result in your linked page not getting indexed (unless you link to it from somewhere else, and if so why bother?) BUT the minor improvement that might get for your home page PR will not be discernable, and it most likely will not have any effect on your rankings.

PR is a very small portion of the entire Google algo, even if it is the most visible and most discussed. I sometimes think that Googles purpose in giving us that @#$% toolbar is to keep us from thinking about the important things. :doh:

[Jill]

Never, ever, ever hide any links. They're dumb and will get your site penalized.

If you don't want a search engine to spider your page, exclude it via the robots.txt file.

Jill