Linking to SE's

TanyaMartin · 12-28-2005, 02:33 PM

I have had several people question me on linking to search engines from websites they run. Many are linking to search results on terms they are ranking for or they want to rank for.

What is the purpose? And do you think there is anything benefit to doing this or do you think it will cause them harm?

John Scott · 12-28-2005, 02:36 PM

I can't see it causing harm. My guess has always been that they do that to increase keyword density in links on the website.

Some SE's used to give you bonus points for linking back to them, but those days are over and done with.

TanyaMartin · 12-28-2005, 02:42 PM

I have seen many things come and go with search engines. Many that were thought as not going to cause any harm. But eventually it is so overused that it does.

I can see that it might make a relevant outgoing link. But my gut is telling me people are going to start doing it so much that it will become a type of spam that causes a penalty.

John Scott · 12-28-2005, 02:52 PM

I already think it is a type of spamming. It's ugly and not particularly useful, IMO. But I don't see it gets a serious penalty anytime soon.

TanyaMartin · 12-30-2005, 08:15 PM

Just seems really strange for people to link to serps that they rank in or want to rank in. I have seen it done both ways.

If anyone is doing it, I would be interested in what value do they believe they are getting out of doing it.

Ferre · 12-31-2005, 02:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TanyaMartin

Just seems really strange for people to link to serps that they rank in or want to rank in. I have seen it done both ways.

If anyone is doing it, I would be interested in what value do they believe they are getting out of doing it.

Good question. I personally believe there is zero value in doing it.