Outbound links significantly boost your rank?

[Jessica]

I've seen this so many times, it can not be simple coincidence. Otherwise unremarkable sites (in terms of PageRank/content) achieve great SERPs just by having a lot of links to similar popular/athority sites.

Anyone else noticed the same?

[europeforvisitors]

I doubt if there's an easy, clear-cut answer, but--if nothing else--it would make sense for Google to regard certain types of outbound links as a "signal of quality" (at least on pages or sites that don't have large numbers of more questionable links).

[birdstuff]

All of my sites link out liberally to other sites, even on the home pages - and the rankings, traffic and profits are great.

[texasville]

I have read that it is best to have at least two outbound links on each page to authority on-topic sites. Seems like it was GG that said it about future rankings. I have done that but have seen no benefit in particular. Who know?

[CygnusX1]

We also link to many outside websites that have something to do with the field we are in. We believe that it helps our listings, not to mention that our visitors like those links.

[anna123]

Hello Jessica and all friends!

I have read your messages and I find them very interesting.........but I'm a bit confused........

Really having outbound links is signal of quality and could boost website rank?

About my website I have exchanged a lot of RECIPROCAL LINKS but also I have exchanged some good NON RECIPROCAL LINKS, I mean 1 way, crossing 3 websites (my minor site gives a link to the site partner, and the site partner give a link to my main site - which is the most important) as:

www.my-minor-site.com a > www.other-site.com > www.my-main-site.com

Do you think is a good thing or is better having reciprocal links - as signal of quality?

Thank you!

[annej]

It's been suggested by both GG and Brett that it would be wise to have some good outgoing links to quality sites.

I don't think it will help directly in ranking like inbound links do. It's more a sign of quality that may help in the long run. Like one of many things that add up.

I wouldn't do it and expect it to increase your rankings, do it to increase the value of your site to visitors. Down the road you may well be glad you did in terms of Google. Not everything that Google plans is implemented yet.

[tedster]

I have a client who has a policy of no outbound links. It seems to me that their search listings, while adequate, are not nearly what I would expect given all the natural IBLs they have. Compared to other sites that easily and freely cite external domains, something definitely seems stuck at this "hermit" domain.

[Liane]

I can't answer your question because I simply don't know. I have read theories about "PR leaks" and stuff like that ... but I don't care one bit.

I have always linked to relevant sites to do with the subject or location being discussed on any given page. If my PR is "leaking", then so be it. However, I have never noticed that non-reciprocal, outgoing links have hurt my ranking in the least. And why should it? All I am doing is trying to offer my potential and existing clients as much relevant information as possible.

[buckworks]

Before it can decide which pages to rank for which searches, one of the first questions a search engine must figure out is "What is this page about?" Outgoing links to relevant pages will help with that.

"Signals of topicality" are likely just as important as "signals of quality".

[leadegroot]

anna123 wrote:

Do you think is a good thing or is better having reciprocal links - as signal of quality?

a bit off topic, but, no, these are not outbound links they are reciprocal links
(ok, they are technically outbound, but not what we are talking about)
Google and presumably the other engines can spot systematic 3-way links quite easily.
What you are doing will not send any 'signals of quality' about your site - it is closer to spamming.
(I didn't say it is spamming, I said it is closer than outbounds. Its all a continuum, not a boolean.)

[anna123]

Hello Leadegroot and all friends,

I would ask your opinion about two things:

1. if you say that exchange 3 way links as
- www.my-minor-site.com a > www.other-site.com > www.my-main-site.com - is closer to spamming I deduce it is not a very good idea. Could have bad effect on ranking?

2. What your your opinion about exchange links (only between 2 websites, no 3 way links)but ADDING THE OUTBOUND LINK ON THE HOME PAGE?

I mean adding outbound link on the home page could have bad effect on ranking?

Thank you very much!

[leadegroot]

A link that is of benefit for your visitors will always be of benefit to your site - avoid those which are not.
If it is, it doesn't matter if it is reciprocal, 3-way or what.
But we are off topic.

[Iguana]

One of the ways to 'tune' your Adsense ads is by putting in a link to a site on the subject of what you want your ads to be about - it helpds Adsense figure out what your page is about.

When Google bought the Adsense technology, GG posted that he looked forward to seeing this new technology used in regular search.