Whitehat linkbait

TL;DR

Linkbait can be white-hat, engaging, and cost-effective.

Transcript

CUTTS: Someone sent in a really interesting question that says, "Does Linkbait have to be Black-Hat?" And of course the answer is no. There's plenty of White-Hat ways to make really interesting Linkbait, because Linkbait is just something that people want to link to. So, an example can be resource, open source software, a good service, something... Read More

Key Insights

• Linkbait doesn't have to be black-hat; there are many white-hat methods to create engaging content that attracts links.
• White-hat linkbait can be a resource, open-source software, or a service with a unique gimmick or hook.
• Dolores Labs used Amazon's Mechanical Turk to create engaging content by analyzing tweets of top Twitter users.
• The project involved describing top Twitter users with adjectives, providing interesting and sometimes humorous insights.
• The initiative was cost-effective, spending only $25 to engage a wide audience and generate link-worthy content.
• Creative ideas that engage the community and add to the web conversation can attract links without high costs.
• The project demonstrated that simple, unique ideas could be more effective than expensive viral marketing strategies.
• Creating content that people are excited to share and discuss is key to successful white-hat linkbait.

Questions & Answers

Q: What is the main point Matt Cutts makes about linkbait?

Matt Cutts emphasizes that linkbait doesn't have to be black-hat. Instead, there are plenty of white-hat methods to create engaging content that naturally attracts links. By using creative and innovative ideas, it's possible to generate content that people want to link to without resorting to unethical practices.

Q: What example does Matt Cutts provide for white-hat linkbait?

Matt Cutts provides the example of Dolores Labs, which used Amazon's Mechanical Turk to analyze the tweets of top Twitter users. They asked people to describe these users with adjectives, creating engaging and humorous content that attracted links. This project was both creative and cost-effective, demonstrating a successful white-hat linkbait strategy.

Q: How did Dolores Labs use Amazon's Mechanical Turk in their project?

Dolores Labs used Amazon's Mechanical Turk to gather adjectives describing the tweets of top Twitter users. They paid workers to analyze recent tweets and provide descriptive adjectives, resulting in interesting and sometimes humorous insights. This approach engaged the community and generated link-worthy content through a creative and cost-effective method.

Q: What was the cost of Dolores Labs' linkbait project?

The linkbait project by Dolores Labs was notably cost-effective, with a total expenditure of about $25. Despite the minimal cost, the project successfully engaged a wide audience and generated significant interest, illustrating that effective linkbait can be achieved without substantial financial investment.

Q: What lesson does Matt Cutts convey about creating linkbait?

Matt Cutts conveys that creating effective linkbait doesn't require large budgets or unethical tactics. Instead, success lies in coming up with unique, engaging ideas that contribute to the web conversation. By adding value and excitement, content can naturally attract links and engage audiences without high costs.

Q: Why is the project by Dolores Labs considered addictive?

The project by Dolores Labs is considered addictive because it taps into people's curiosity about themselves and others, particularly well-known figures on Twitter. By providing descriptive adjectives for these figures, the project engaged users and sparked discussions, making it an appealing and shareable piece of content.

Q: What kind of content does Matt Cutts suggest creating for linkbait?

Matt Cutts suggests creating content that is unique, engaging, and adds to the conversation on the web. Instead of rehashing old ideas, he encourages coming up with creative hooks that excite and involve the audience, resulting in content that people are eager to link to and discuss.

Q: How does Matt Cutts suggest one can fund a creative idea?

Matt Cutts suggests that a creative idea can often be funded with minimal financial resources. By focusing on unique and engaging concepts, individuals and organizations can create content that attracts links and engages audiences without requiring substantial investment, as demonstrated by the Dolores Labs project.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Matt Cutts discusses how linkbait can be created using white-hat techniques, emphasizing that engaging content doesn't need to be black-hat. He provides an example of Dolores Labs using Amazon's Mechanical Turk to analyze tweets of top Twitter users, generating interest and links through creative and cost-effective means.

• The example shared involved asking people to describe top Twitter users with adjectives, which resulted in interesting and humorous insights. This approach was engaging and cost-effective, demonstrating that unique ideas can attract links without the need for expensive marketing tactics.

• Cutts highlights the importance of creating content that adds to the conversation on the web, rather than rehashing old ideas. He suggests that by coming up with creative hooks, individuals and organizations can generate link-worthy content that excites and engages audiences.