SEO software question

Which software to use, if any

[jenf]

Hi everyone,

I'm torn between purchasing two pieces of software that track backlinks: SEO Spyglass and Optilink. I wondered if anyone could recommend either of them or give me some quick advice.

I'm also not sure whether I need them altogether. I use the Yahoo site explorer, but thought software would speed the process up and collect more data than Yahoo (like domain age, anchor text, PR).

Thanks in advance for any advice!

[tangor]

If it costs more than an slap and tickle that's what you'll get from some of these pie in the sky offerings. Just do the work yourself. You'll learn more about HOW TO DO IT RIGHT than relying on a carny piece of software that simply does NOT do what it says it will do. Beware the Sales Pitch!

There are no short cuts.

[jenf]

Thanks for the advice. That's what I thought I probably should be doing, but it's so tempting to use something that could save you time. The sales pitches were putting me off, they sound so unrealistic! I'm sure I'll feel more satisfied with the work I'm doing if I go about it the right way.

[Metapilot]

I've owned both for years and they each have their pros and cons. Optilink is better for breaking down and examining the individual words that make up the anchor text of a site's backlinks, while the raw data provided by SEO Spyglass is better for sorting a wider range of backlink information. Neither is going to give much help in understanding the VALUE of each backlink--you'll have to know how to do that yourself but SEO spyglass does attempt to do that for you. Of the two, SEO Spyglass has a more user friendly interface.

[brickmarketing]

yeah software really doesn't make anything easier. There are no magic pills when it comes to SEO. You have to be willing to put the time in and proactively market yourself online through a variety of efforts.

[Terabytes]

it's so tempting to use something that could save you time

Is that the time you save, when you have to go back afterwards and do it the right way?

:)

[chicagohh]

I use Optilink tools (specifically OptiSpider) a couple times each week. For a small price you get a great tool that gathers and organizes INTERNAL linking structure. I don't understand some of the comments in this thread --- this tool is a huge timesaver.

It does not do analysis. You still have to know what to do with the information gathered, but OptiSpider does a great job of setting the data up for you.