The SEO Power Of Trackbacks

Do you understand the concept behind trackbacks and how they work in your favour, in terms of SEO? First let’s look at what a trackback is, how it works, and finally, why it works.

Defining A Trackback

Simply put, a Trackback is a clickable link that forms a connection between two or more blogs. For instance, imagine there is a blog post written about a particular subject, say diamonds. In the content, the writer references a good article about diamonds over at a different URL.

The writer fills out the appropriate section in the trackback section of the post. This leaves a link in the comments section to the site where the original article resides, as well as sends out communication to the original article writer that someone referenced his material.

Different blogging platforms work differently. With WordPress, it is a simple procedure that adds a link when you insert the trackback URL. In Blogger, they are referred to as backlinks and you can specify whether or not to show them through the comments tab under settings.

How To Do It: Step by Step

Follow these simple steps to start using the power of trackback:

• Find a blog post related to your content. Make sure you click on the title of the post so that you are viewing only that content, and not the blog site’s main page. In other words, find the permalink URL. This is usually the address of the particular post, often including the date. A permalink simply refers to the address where the content can always be found (since often older blog posts move from the main page to the archives).

• Find, and copy, the trackback URL. This is usually denoted clearly on the page as a trackback.

• Use the trackback URL in your post. Most blogging platforms have a space where you can add it in a section that says “Send Trackbacks to”; paste the URL here.

• When the post goes live, a notification is sent to the first blog post you trackbacked to. This URL appears on your blog post, either as a comment or not, depending on your specifications.

How Do Trackbacks Help SEO?

Trackbacks create another link to content. It can be an outgoing link (in the above example, from your blog to another) or an incoming link (conversely, the first writer’s content gains an incoming link). So both blogs get an increase in traffic.

As a small business owner, you can use trackbacks to create some love between two of your own blogs. Of course, you can always go the traditional route, too, and simply start spreading blog love by reading interesting content and giving it a boost with your own posts. If someone reciprocates, it gives value to your own blog.

As long as you stick with tracking back to blogs which post content relevant to your business and website, then you are increasing your odds of getting qualified traffic. After all, visitors to the two sites are presumably interested in the topic common to both.

Some internet marketing experts feel that Trackbacks simply give away valuable SEO. However, they are a good, white hat way to increase links amongst your own blogs or to give credit to others – who will hopefully do the same for you.

Have a most outstanding day.

Sean Rasmussen
Aussie Internet Marketing
www.AussieSEO.com 2010

 

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