How About a Link Development Knowledge Base?

What's Known to be Reliable Knowledge & What Isn't?

[Go60Guy]

There seems to be some consensus of opinion on questions about linking in some cases, and wide divergence of views and speculation in others. While this is true of much of SEO, this topic is of such compelling interest and so critical, that I would suggest providing a knowledge base about link topics here at WebmasterWorld along the lines of the Google Knowledge Base.

At least could we come up with what are known to be reliable linking techniques - internally, externally, anchor text, etc. as well as what is believed to be the current wisdom on such things as reciprocal linking, etc.

Just a suggestion.

[Marcia]

Great idea, Go60Guy! Reading through all the threads with all the different opinions, some of them contradictory, can be so confusing for people. Something like what Brett did for the Google KnowledgeBase would be perfect for this forum.

And there are so many different aspects of linking, almost as many as there are different types of sites. It would be fantastic to have an authoritative repository of straight, factual information.

[GilbertZ]

Excellent idea... I think that such a post would be good to keep in the knowledgebase, just like Brett's post where he wrote what he considers to be the algo for a page...giving out points for each elements... (If someone can find the thread, would appreciate a sticky, btw)...anyone have some tip on this linking topic to start?

[Go60Guy]

The reason this has occurred to me is that I frequently find myself confused about what's safe, what isn't, & how to link most effectively both for visitors and the bots, Google in particular.

I think a good pool of knowledge about this exists within the community here. But its so unorganized that I often find myself flitting from one thread to another with no difinitive direction. And we know there may be gaps that have no good answers. But it would be very helpful, at least, to be able to assemble in one place what is solid knowledge, where are the grey areas, and what probably will cause you grief.

[2_much]

That's a great idea Go60Guy! I agree, that would be an invaluable resource for WebmasterWorld users.

Paynt is off on vacation, but perhaps a few of us could sticky mail her with some of our favorite threads or ideas so we can get the ball rolling.

[Marcia]

2_much, if you look at Brett's KnowledgeBase, it's questions and answers - not links. It's a totally different format than linking to threads, which are so distressingly confusing. It would be SO wonderful to have substantial, concrete answers all in one place.

[2_much]

Totally. I just thought that going through old threads would be a nice way to start gathering data. I'm currently searching through some threads to gather those "nuggets" of information - which can later be compiled into a knowledgebase. Do you think it is useful to cite references to related threads (while posting the actual content on the document, so they can click on the link if they want to read more discussion about the topic)?

[Marcia]

Don't know, 2_much. Bret didn't, as the norm. It's a different format.

[Dante_Maure]

Do you think it is useful to cite references to related threads?

Brett did do quite a bit of that. There are over 70 links to various discussion threads spread throughout the Knowledge Base, and in some cases his own answer was no more than a single sentence plus a link to a relevant thread.

I think it's a great way of offering context, additional perspectives, and a channel for more in depth understanding beyond the scope of the Knowledge Base itself.

I think it would be invaluable for the same format to be used in creating additional topical Knowledge Bases.