Should you always link references in blogs?

[Chris1974]

I'm a total newbie at this and only started w/ blogs last week, but when writing some my drafts that I plan on publising soon I come accross this dilemma.

When writing a blog should you always back up your references with a link to give validity to your statements?

Example:

A) In the last ten years Americans are paying higher taxes www.yourreferencelink.com (or whatever source your referring to)

or do you just leave it at....

B) In the last ten years Americans are paying higher taxes.

I personally think A is appropriate because it backs up your statements with reference. However, you don't want to over do it and have a blog full of links. This will make your blog unprofessional and turn into a link farm.

When do you and when do you not link references? I know it's not a university paper your writing, however I don't know if its a good idea just to leave your blog empty of references and expect readers to take your word "as is" everytime.

[Teli]

Honestly, I believe it's up to the blog's author to decide how many links are too many.

If you believe that citing a source will lend more credibility to your post, then go for it. If you feel the information you're presenting is "common knowledge" then you can probably get away with leaving it out.

Something else to keep in mind is bombarding your readers with links to follow. I know, personally, that it can become very distracting if I'm constantly clicking away from a blog entry to read sites, the needing to come back and continue where I left off.

That said, the links you cite should be relevant and closely follow what you discuss in your blog entry (my opinion).

Hope that helps out

~ Teli

[JuggoPop]

It's not really a link farm unless you are profiting from it right? otherwise your just stating sites to help make your point.

However I wouldn't do it by saying:

In the last ten years Americans are paying higher taxes www.yourreferencelink.com

Instead I would do it as:

In the last ten years Americans are paying higher taxes

[cldnails]

I agree with Juggopop, blend the links in with your article. As long as your site design will allow it to be noticably still a link, you should be ok. That way it's still up to the reader if they want more detail, but they are not broken away by an ugly link at the end of an article.

[Kalina]

I don't see anything wrong with linking to references. It provides the reader with more information on a top they're interested in, I'd say to use your best judgement.

[BingoBalls]

Originally Posted by JuggoPop

Instead I would do it as:

In the last ten years Americans are paying higher taxes

I do the same on both my blogs too but I dont think there wouldnt be anything wrong in not blending in the link.

One positive thing of not blending is that it allows the visitor to stop and decide if they want to jump to the reference site or stay on your Blog - IMHO that is.

[veridicus]

If the links will truely give validity to your statements then definitely link. Your readers will appreciate that you take the time to provide them sources for more in-depth research.

Think about the opposite. On some of the biggest blogs there are rarely outbound links. And they're usually looked at as selfish by other bloggers. They get questions all the time about credibility. But if you provide links there will be no questions of credibility.

[John Scott]

I think it's best to link to your sources.

[petertdavis]

Link to everything. It's in the nature of being a blogger to link to relevant things.

[Chris1974]

Originally Posted by JuggoPop

Instead I would do it as:

In the last ten years Americans are paying higher taxes

Good pointer. Will definetly keep that in mind.