We all know the importance of inbound links (aka backlinks) but what about outbound links? First, let’s start with what an outbound link is. All we’re talking about here is a link that goes from your blog to another site. Yes, an external link. Oooooh…scary stuff.
Let’s run through some of the common reasons why bloggers don’t like to have outbound links.
- Outbound links take people away from their site
- The more outbound links there are, the less link juice other outbound links on their site get
- Outbound links don’t help their SEO
Those are actually very valid reasons. But that’s an extremist’s point of view. As long as you can find a middle ground, outbound links can actually help your blog grow. Let’s revisit the aforementioned concerns and demystify them a bit.
- Outbound links take people away from their site
That’s absolutely true but if your goal is to provide real value on your site, wouldn’t it make sense to point your visitors to another expert when it makes sense to do so? At the end of the day, you can still be the authority on your topic but I’m sure there are many opportunities where there are valuable resources related to your post that you could link to. Besides, people are savvier than ever these days and you won’t be able to hold your visitors hostage anyway. You might as well provide them with a level of convenience that keeps them happy and coming back.
- The more outbound links there are, the less link juice other outbound links their site get
OK, there’s this thing called Google PageRank that we have to worry about. Basically, if your site has say, a Google PageRank 6, you get a certain amount of link juice, which gets divided evenly amongst all your outbound links. First of all, how many bloggers even have more than a PageRank 2? Here’s the deal, if you link to real sites with real useful information, you’re doing what’s best for your site. You can’t worry about how much link juice each one is getting. If you are PageRank 0, no one is getting anything anyway. And if you really are PageRank 6, not only will people still like you, they will likely also pay you to get their link on your site. See? No one gets upset at all!
- Outbound links don’t help their SEO
You can make a case that outbound links do help SEO. By having outbound links to sites with content that is related to yours, Google looks at you as a potential peer in that network. The more appropriate links you have, the more valuable Google sees you in that arena. Moreover, indirectly, these links should create some reciprocal links as well. That means when you link to others, there’s a chance that they link back. Reciprocal links and inbound links are almost always a good thing.
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I think that everyone should be afraid of outbound links cause they do nothing but to steal your Page Rank, and it isn’t good especially if you are in blogging business.
I agree that you shouldn’t be afraid of outgoing links cause they won’t hurt your site especially if they are nofollow.
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I believe that google’s algorithm of displaying SERP’s is counting and outgoing links in a way, cause I think that it matters if you have links to some qualitative sites.
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[...] Who’s Afraid of Outbound Links? ~Free Blog Help [...]
Great blog on outbound links, its just somehting I am beginning to get to grips with, so nice to have to basic, easy to understand advice,
Best you should edit the post title Who’s afraid of outbound links? | Free Blog Help to more suited for your content you write. I enjoyed the post nevertheless.
dont understand why some people are so scared to share links..to me this mentally is one i cannot understand
really very nice to say that…
great post
and great blog
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Nice explanation!!!!!……
Thanks for sharing.
Outbto me ound links are a way of saying you site doesn’t have the resources to support what your users are looking for
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I have been doing a test between two of my niche sites in regards to outbound linking and both indexing and ranking in Google. So far, my results are showing that linking out (as opposed to being selfish) has a positive affect on both – but it is still early days of the case study.
I am afraid of the outbound links. The link juice will be given to them.
Im surprised nothing about spam was mentioned.
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I use SEO techniques to rank my site, but I never use outbound links for my site.
I have been doing a test between two of my niche sites in regards to outbound linking and both indexing and ranking in Google. So far, my results are showing that linking out (as opposed to being selfish) has a positive affect on both – but it is still early days of the case study.
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You know what they say… You are who you link to. Good article!
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Love that statement!
Thanks for your nice post.
I have been doing a test between two of my niche sites in regards to outbound linking and both indexing and ranking in Google. So far, my results are showing that linking out (as opposed to being selfish) has a positive affect on both – but it is still early days of the case study.
More details please! Irregardless, keep us posted on the results…
That’s pretty interesting. I’d like to hear about your results as well. Keep us posted.
Yeah I agree with you also drabuziai.
I’m never afraid of outbound links. Mainly becuase of that helping your SEO out a bit. Helps Google to categorize your site a bit.
Besides, links are the heart of the Internet.
/Sweely.
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I think not over thinking it is the best way to go. If you’ve written content and you know of other content which can add to the user’s experience, then you might want to link out. I guess a lot is preference too.
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Showing your audience you’re comfortable with third-party sources it gives a good covered ground on your topic, I believe that’s essential in blogging.
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great topic i read it today. it is more useful then other blogs.
we are in to website design and SEO also.
In the past I had tons of outbound links and got many backlinks in return. People see where their traffic is coming from and link back to you.
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Nice post. i don’t think it is scary to post outbound links on your blog. it is good you are taking your visitors to an informative and interesting link.
One more point to consider is that if you try making money from your content, outbound links mean less pageviews and clicks on ads. That’s why more and more publishers (even big ones) stop linking out at all.
You can read about it in my post http://blog.publishedin.com/post/1453644943/make-money-without-manipulating-your-readers-to-click
Too much outbound link can hurt your website too.
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Yes, it works just fine as a part of my
I heard some where else. Out bound link should have the limit of 50 to 100 links per page. is it?
I’ve been experimenting with outbound links, and have realized by now that having many links from a single page of a new website causes serious issues with Google, while having low or moderate (<10) number of outbound links helps in gaining mutual respect of fellow bloggers and peer-recognition in the eyes of Google.
If one's PR is low, it is better to restrict the number of outbound links, so that the site is not classified as a link farm.
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Nice explanation about outbound links, in my blog i will give links to some authority sites for reference, because my blog readers will gain more information from those sites. I wont hesitate to give links to other sites.
Out bound link with out reciprocate doesn’t help in the seo point of view. Good explanation about out bound link. Me too afraid of it.
I am afriad of dofollow outbound link but ain’t afraid of nofollow outbound link
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dont understand why some people are so scared to share links..to me this mentally is one i cannot understand
thanks for the detailed info on Outbound links. I find it really usefull
Great things you’ve always shared with us. Just keep writing this kind of posts.The time which was wasted in traveling for tuition now it can be used for studies.Thanks
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Hello, great day.. Your post is quite striking. I never thought that it was feasible to do something like that until after I read your write-up. You certainly offered a great understanding on how this kind of whole system performs. I will make sure to return for more advice. Keep writing!
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I think that everyone should be afraid of outbound links cause they do nothing but to steal your Page Rank, and it isn’t good especially if you are in blogging business.
Thank you for offering
nice post and I think the most difficult part of the
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I agree with you on that points, it’s a clear factor of the Internet Marketing. But I must say that I think Pagerank is overrated.
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Hello, great day.. Your post is quite striking. I never thought that it was feasible to do something like that until after I read your write-up. You certainly offered a great understanding on how this kind of whole system performs.
This is a nice post in an interesting line of content, great way of bring this topic to discussion.
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