Shaddows - 10:08 am on Dec 2, 2008 (gmt 0)

I would love to this this test expanded to include variations with the nofollow attribute. To see whether the value of anchor tet is COMPLETELY nullified by it or not.

Agree. If you started with no site-wide footer, then added one that was nofollowed, does it
1) Have precisely zero effect
2) Have the same (negative) reaction as adding a normal link
3) Have a different reaction.

Alternatively, if you had a site-wide link, and nofollowed it
1) Precisely zero effect
2) Same negative results as removing link
3) Something else

Finally, the effect of a two-stage addition/subtaction of a site-wide link (giving time to settle down between), i.e
normal -> nofollow -> removed
none -> nofollow -> normal

Note: a thread about the rel=nofollow attribute has been split off. Please continue any discussion of that second topic here: [webmasterworld.com...]

This could also shed light on SERP effects due to 'change' (non-sameness) as opposed to THE CHANGE IMPEMENTED.

So Cain, any chance I can take you up on your unbelievably kind offer?

Feel free to suggest any sweeping tests you want me to make on my domain for the purpose of further experiments.

[edited by: tedster at 10:27 am (utc) on Dec. 10, 2008]