Google and Yahoo/Google groups

is it a good seo strategy?

[deft_spyder]

I've been considering creating a yahoo or google group in order to have a face there for my website. I figure it can't hurt to let people find me another way.

My subject doesn't seem to have alot of competition there. so I'm thinking its a good place to grow some roots.

Have other had success with this sort of approach?

[taxpod]

No success with Groups from an SEO point of view. But they are a good way to stay in touch with your visitors. I have a Yahoo group that is about 9 months old and have signed up 2,000 visitors. But be sure you have something interesting to say to them and don't send gratuitous messages just for the sake of sending messages. People are very fickle on these groups and will quit if they think they've signed up just to receive your spam.

[WebWalla]

>I figure it can't hurt to let people find me another way.

I don't think many people will find your site through a Yahoo group, rather the other way round - they'll find the group through your site.

If you want newsletter functionality, go ahead, it's a good idea. But if you want a sort of discussion forum, why not set up some forum software on your own site. There are plenty of free BBS programs out there and it'll create stickyness and maybe get you a few more links.

[deft_spyder]

thanks for the responses.

I actually have a full phpbb set up on the site. I can use that for newsletters and the like.

I was wondering if that group would give a nice incoming link to my site, as well as generate some traffic that may have not got there in the first place.

Is there a way to see what sorts of groups people are looking for ala' the keywords suggestion tool? Maybe I can divulge from there if there is any interest at all.

Do "groups" homepages get listed by google or yahoo? That would be an interesting find... but I can't recall one coming up in results.