Susan Suarez

Measuring link popularity is what most search engines use when ranking sites for specific keywords and phrases. Search engines are always looking to improve ranking results to increase relevancy. As many blog webmasters are aware, currently search engines have given more weight to linking between sites as a vote of confidence and trust for your site.

Link popularity is measured by the number of inbound link to your site onto a specific page and gauging the quality and relevancy of the incoming links. This is including links within the site and ones coming from the outside.

In determining a site’s ranking, link popularity is one of the most important factors in deciding ranking for top search engines.

Ways to increase link popularity

1) Request link exchanges with similar sites by: exchanging small ads, exchanging articles (becoming a more popular way of exchanging links), contact potential website partners and request them of link exchange maybe including why you think the link exchange may be beneficial to both sites.

2) One-way link building are links pointing to your website without you having to link back to them. If managed, it’s a great way to improve link popularity and ranking in search engines but are more difficult to obtain. They’re a great way to secure long-term search engine ranking results.

How to get inbound one-way links?

• Submit your site to major directories. As I’ve talked about before (click to see article), FreeWebSubmission is a great place to start.
• Target a niche or industry and become an authority by displaying your expertise.
• Supplying helpful material such as informative/quality articles, FAQs, definitions, free services, white papers, etc. which will provide more reasons why a webmaster will link back to you.
• Submit article to ezine/newsletter publisher and article directories. One you can try is EzineArticles.
• Participate in forums as an expert who gives advice – make sure to include your signature.
• Frequently update your blog as search engines love the new content.
• Submit your blog to weblogs directories.

These steps should increase link popularity and enhance overall search engine popularity. They are great methods because they are free and most cost-effective!