Link baiting is simply getting more and more inbound links with a twist. Rather than hunting out links link baiting brings the links to you through unique and popular site content. Matt Cutts defines link bait as anything “interesting enough to catch people’s attention, and that doesn’t have to be a bad thing.”. Link baiting involves production of link worthy content, video or images, which in turn generates massive amount of one-way inbound links.Link baiting has been long time regarded as black hat technique, but if it’s interesting information or fun, it doesn’t have to have negative connotations. Content can be both: white-hat as well as interesting enough to generate buzz. Floating information or ideas that people talk about is a sure-shot method to generate links.
You don't have to be a big brand or have a lot of money to create link bait. Many people have created link bait on purpose and many have created link bait without even knowing it. For search marketers, the techniques, if handled properly in an ethical manner, can be quite helpful in producing good quality one way links.
How Does Link Bait Work?
Link Baiting is just like fishing. You send out bait (content) in the pond (the internet) and patiently wait for a bite (linkback). The article is the bait, and the link is the catch. A properly created page can capture huge links on its own with little to no effort from you.
The Hooks
Before any real ‘fishing’ can take place you need a link baiting hooks and they come in all shape and sizes:
- News Hook
- Resource Hooks
- Contrary Hook
- Attack Hook
- Humor Hooks
For this to work you almost exclusively have to break the ice on the matter, that means to you have to be the first to break the news. Whether it’s the latest gadget or the latest Britney Spears goof, you have to be the first and the news should be big enough to generate enough curiosity.
2. Resource Hooks
Resource hook is more of an informational page. Do some research and build a great, unique and remarkable article in a field on which you’re an expert. It’s important you know what you’re talking about or else you’ll get trolled.
3. Contrary Hooks
Contrary hooks are when you contradict someone else’s statement. It should be about someone prominent in the industry and it should be controversial.
4. Attack Hooks
Attack hooks are next level of contrary hooks where you launch personal attacks on people taking the debunking of theories to the next level.
5. Humor Hooks
This is the easiest type of link bait, just blog about a funny video or story and you can get some major exposure. But it isn’t as easy as it looks, the niche is really crowded and that means you really need to have something truly funny on your hands and a lot of luck.
10 great Examples of Link Baiting:
Rhea Drysdale - SEO Dream Team
Mixed Markets Top 10 Reasons Why This List Will Be Popular on Digg
SEOmoz Top 100 Digg Users Control 56% of Digg’s HomePage Content
The AfterEllen.com Hot 100 List
SEOmoz’s Web 2.0 Awards
Lifehacker Top 10 iPhone applications
Performancing 10 Articles All Bloggers Should Read (at least once)
Engadget Blu-ray vs HD DVD: State of the Division
2decides 2008 Presidential Election Candidates on the Issues
SingleGrain 301 Useless Facts
Related Links on Link Bait:
http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2007/05/28/golden-rules-of-linkbaiting-principles-strategies-and-effective-rules/
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