is Link Building a "Unicorn"

every body talks about it, but nobody knows about it

[kinley]

Hey fellow forum members,

I am confused as to what actually is termed as "Link Building"? People tend to use this term very often. Actually it is the most difficult part of promotion on the internet.

1. Some people have the notion that link building is going in for reciprocal links. But as we all know, Google is against it !

2. Others say, create fantastic content and people will link to you automatically. But, there is already so well "created" content on the web for some of the niche, it virtually becomes impossible to beat them.

3. Another group of webmasters/SEOs go with submissions at article and directory sites. Here too, the quality of back links is as good as dead.

4. We all get a lot of spam stating "please add my link cuz blah blah". I sure this does not work!

5. Then, there is always a "paid" option :)

So, what in your view is actually link building. Is it only what is stated above or is much deeper than this?

Would link building be there (as we know it) a couple of years ahead or social media would have overwhelmed the search scenario?

[fishfinger]

1. Are they really? Who said that and when?
2. A few months ago, I would have agreed with you. But reading lots of blog and forum posts and then asking myself questions gets my brain ticking over and gives me ideas. Yeah, there will always be smarter/better people out there than you, but you can still find something original to say. Add your voice to the discussion. I'm a self employed SEO and I have found some (I believe) original things to blog about even now.
3. General 'SEO friendly' ones for sure, but I've ranked businesses in niche markets and made them money with nothing BUT directory ilnks.
4. I've received so few link exchange request emails that I would consider. I have however given quite a few links to great sites that weren't even offering exchanges.
5. If you mean paid links: tried that and got burnt badly.

My own view is that link building (in any kind of competitive market) is a long-term process. You need to establish yourself as some kind of authority on a subject, and bring something original to the discussion on that subject. Then, by sharing your experience and opinions (whether on your site or others) you hopefully engage others to the extent that they will refer to that content.

[kinley]

Thanks for the input fishfinger :)

become authority on a particular subject

What actual is an authority and when do you come to know whether you have attained the authority status or not.

[bwnbwn]

What actual is an authority and when do you come to know whether you have attained the authority status or not.

When kinley one day you begin looking in your referrals and find traffic coming from other websites.

You investigate as I would and find referance links to your material now your getting warm. You keep working adding crisp well researched content.
You check your referrals again and see some more websites you investigate only these sites have some bite to them linking to your material now ya getting there.

You keep on working, and wworking and working
One day you do a search for a elusive term you really been working on and Bam ya got site links. Now ya know you have authority status.

It may take 1-3-4-5 (maybe never) years of hard hard hard work depending on the vertical your in.

The work never can stop as there will always be one such as yourself wanting that spot you now are sitting.

[kinley]

It may take 1-3-4-5 (maybe never) years of hard hard hard work depending on the vertical your in.

Man, who says internet marketing is all about making a quick buck :)

bwnbwn, this means, one should focus on content, content & content AND side by side a little effort put on getting back links.

[mlight5378]

link building can be hard but if u know what u are doing then it is actually kind of easy. just make sure u know that it takes a lot time and is not an over the night game. keep building links and never stop.