Which Pages Should you be Building Links to?

TL;DR

Link to both informational and commercial pages for best SEO results.

Transcript

• Here's the common question When it comes to link building. Which pages should you be building your links to? Should you be building links to your homepage? Should you only be sending links to informational type pages and avoiding sending links to commercially monetized content? We're gonna answer all of that right now but first I wanna discuss wh... Read More

Key Insights

• Informational content includes guides and tutorials, while commercial content is related to monetization like product purchases.
• A common myth is that links should only be built to informational content to appear natural, which is not entirely true.
• The skyscraper technique involves creating comprehensive content to attract links, then internally linking to commercial pages.
• Tests show a long delay and reduced efficiency when linking through informational pages to commercial pages.
• Direct linking to commercial pages is more efficient for ranking improvements.
• The 'black sheep effect' suggests examining top-ranking pages to determine the maximum number of links to commercial content.
• Homepages naturally receive many links and should comprise 40-60% of a site's backlinks for a natural appearance.
• Business citations in directories are effective and free ways to build homepage links.

Questions & Answers

Q: What is the difference between informational and commercial content?

Informational content includes guides, tutorials, and how-to articles that provide knowledge or instructions, such as 'how to do pull-ups.' Commercial content is related to monetization, involving direct sales or affiliate marketing, such as 'buy protein powder' or 'best protein powder.' Both types of content are important for a balanced SEO strategy.

Q: Why is it a myth that links should only be built to informational content?

The myth arises from the observation that natural links often go to informational content. However, this does not mean commercial content should be ignored. Building links to commercial pages is crucial for ranking them efficiently. A balanced approach, linking to both types of content, creates a more natural and effective link profile.

Q: What is the skyscraper technique in link building?

The skyscraper technique involves creating comprehensive, high-quality content that serves as a definitive resource on a topic. This content attracts backlinks through outreach efforts. Once these links are acquired, the content can internally link to commercial pages, indirectly boosting their SEO. However, direct links to commercial content are more efficient for ranking improvements.

Q: What were the findings from the tests on the skyscraper technique?

Tests showed a significant delay in link juice transfer from informational to commercial pages, taking about two months. Additionally, the effectiveness of these links was muted, meaning they did not provide full SEO benefits. Direct linking to commercial pages was found to be more efficient in improving rankings quickly and effectively.

Q: What is the 'black sheep effect' in SEO?

The 'black sheep effect' is a strategy to determine the maximum number of links to build to a commercial page by analyzing top-ranking competitors. By examining the link profiles of the top five positions on a search engine results page, one can identify the highest number of links used and set that as a ceiling for their link-building efforts.

Q: Should links be built to the homepage, and why?

Yes, links should be built to the homepage because it naturally receives a significant portion of a website's backlinks, typically 40-60%. This helps create a natural-looking link profile. Building links to the homepage can be done through methods like business citations in directories, which are effective and free.

Q: How can business citations help in link building?

Business citations involve listing a website in business or industry directories. This method is particularly effective for building homepage links, as it is free and commonly used. These citations help improve the website's authority and visibility, contributing to a more natural and diverse backlink profile that benefits SEO.

Q: What is the recommended backlink profile for a natural appearance?

A natural backlink profile should include a mix of links to both informational and commercial content. Specifically, 40-60% of a website's backlinks should point to the homepage, as this reflects the typical distribution found in natural link profiles. Maintaining this balance helps avoid penalties and enhances SEO performance.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The video discusses the differences between informational and commercial content, emphasizing that linking to both is essential for effective SEO. It debunks the myth that links should only be built to informational content, explaining that commercial pages can and should receive backlinks.

• The skyscraper technique is highlighted as a method to build links to informational content and then internally link to commercial pages. However, tests show that direct links to commercial pages are more efficient, as internal linking can delay and reduce the effectiveness of link juice.

• The 'black sheep effect' is introduced as a strategy to determine the optimal number of links to send to commercial pages by analyzing top-ranking competitors. Additionally, a natural backlink profile should include 40-60% of links to the homepage, achievable through business citations.