Comments on: Against Linkbaiting

By: Ian Delaney

Ian Delaney — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 20:34:04 +0000

Good point. I’d like to think so. As you’ll have gathered, I think the techmeme pile-ons and the 10-top lists are the lowest common denominator.

By: s_jenkins

s_jenkins — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 06:26:42 +0000

given the fact that linkbaiting creates a network of sorts, does google have any actions against linkbaiting?

By: cocovision

cocovision — Sat, 27 Jan 2007 23:24:34 +0000

Good tips! Thanks for sharing these. I got some ideas too. But yours are more exciting.

By: John Kenney

John Kenney — Sat, 27 Jan 2007 18:28:20 +0000

How about simply ‘viral copy’? ‘linkbait’ is bad, but ‘viral copywriting’ doesn’t sound all that friendly either.

By: Webomatica

Webomatica — Sat, 27 Jan 2007 18:00:55 +0000

I agree – there is a definite difference between link bait and other forms of content. The clearest analogy is an article that essentially reports the news (who won the Super Bowl) vs. something that is totally sensationalist as in Katie Holmes Topless that you’d find in some tabloid.

While it’s true, all sites want people to link to them and have as many viewers as possible, there’s no question link bait could at worst be seen as a form of “gaming” for increased traffic, links, and readership.

Just as we differentiate a “blog” from a “splog” one between “link bait” is useful.

By: Ian Delaney

Ian Delaney — Sat, 27 Jan 2007 00:03:48 +0000

Hi Bob. Great stuff. Was worried it might be a bit of a leap for readers. Good to know it’s not

By: Bob Boydston

Bob Boydston — Fri, 26 Jan 2007 23:58:04 +0000

Oh, by the way, I like the picture of “links” for this post!

By: Ian Delaney

Ian Delaney — Fri, 26 Jan 2007 23:05:30 +0000

Want irony? This post currently has 13 diggs.

To be fair, I reckon there’s a substantial portion of users like yourself, who are sick of this nonsense.

By: nsharp

nsharp — Fri, 26 Jan 2007 22:58:34 +0000

You most welcome!

Just realized that my comment really looks like linkbait (positive linkbait? ).

Oh the irony.

But I really meant what I said. On a good day, digg has 1 link which makes you think a bit and learn something new. This was that link.

By: Bob Boydston

Bob Boydston — Fri, 26 Jan 2007 22:23:08 +0000

Linkbait reminds me of tabloids; there might some truth involved but most of it is S$#T! :)