How NOT To Do Linkbait…
I’ve just got back from a business trip to India and have been catching up on my personal emails. One email was from a guy called Chris Walker, who I do not think I’ve spoken to before. He mentioned that he read my evilgreenmonkey blog and linked to an article (nofollow’d) that he found about SMX Advanced in Seattle. In case you don’t want to click through to the site (I don’t blame you), the article is basically about someone who supposedly had a “one night stand” at Danny’s recent conference. The author brags about how he slept with a woman who’s son was at the conference, in a very tasteless fashion (pathetic wanker comes to mind).
The article is hosted on the website of a small-time US based web design company called “Life Blue”, despite being the kind of content you’d cringe at seeing even on a personal blog. If a design company was willing to put this on their site, you’ve got to assume that they’re unprofessional and a someone to stay away from. This was an attempt at linkbait if ever I’ve seen one, and possibly the worse implementation I’ve had the misfortune of reading in a long time. Don’t send Rand this link as he’ll probably kill himself out of embarrassment on behalf of the culprit! I don’t have 100% proof that this Chris Walker guy was involved, although a Google search for [“chris walker” seo] brings up an article directory page full of crappy content on “How To Get Laid” as number one. Nice!
So Tips To Learn From This:
- Don’t do something that makes people want to kick the crap out of you, unless you’ve calculated the repercussions.
- Don’t write bullshit on a company website, people will think the company is bullshit.
- Don’t send an anonymous tip-off if your name is linked to the topic being baited.
- Don’t think that everyone else is a 40 year old virgin and has the same childish humour as you.
- Don’t waste the time of an ex-hacker with jet-lag, bad things sometimes happen.
Oh, and please make sure that you don’t send clean links through to the offending page if you blog about it - lets make sure these people don’t benefit in any way from the exposure.
I guess I won’t put up my post about how the SEO Chicks had a tickle fight now. Good point though sir. Linkbait is good stuff and can be fairly amusing but there are many instances (such as the one you mention) where everyone just sits back and realizes what a total idiot you are. I think we all have a sense of humor about these things but then again I think most of us have the sense to know when we’re really crossing the line. Nice, and timely, post.
Great post Rob! I totally agree, there is linkbait and “idontthinkbait”…. Leva the kiss and tell stories to the tabloids.
Sex is a powerful hook, it’s just that this dude didn’t spin the story right. If it were a goat and an ex Tory Minister, now you’re talking. But this “I shagged your mum” bit is a bit banal really. Sort of thing you read in an out of date Readers Digest in a Dentists waiting room before your gums are scraped.
Lol - awesome. “idontthinkbait” is genius from Lisa.
I’m also very intrigued by your line “Don’t waste the time of an ex-hacker with jet-lag, bad things sometimes happen.”
I think as SEO grows we’re going to start seeing a lot more of this kind of thing, half-assed and mainly just lame linkbait.
Wow. I mean, like. Wow. Utterly speechless. Jesus. Y’know?!
Pretty pathetic really. Found you through the Pubcon website. I’ll be sitting in your session the last day. Viva Las Vegas!
|_4/\/\3 . Wonder what the site’s link profile might look like in a few weeks? Gambling links from guestbooks?