In the SEO world, knowing how to build links is one of the major aspects of a successful SEO company. Even with all the talk about quality over quantity, I still see our clients’ competition pursuing spammy links and directories nobody would ever think of using. Is it helpful for the searcher? Absolutely not, and I have a hunch that eventually — although nobody knows when — Google is really going to crack down on it, or change their algorithms so low-quality link directories no longer factor into the mix. The solution? Focus on the what’s best for all parties — use editorial content as linkbait.

As several other online marketing bloggers have already pointed out, John Dvorak of PC Mag is not a big fan of SEO companies. 

The concept of linkbait is simple - linkbait is a post, video clip, podcast, or article created specifically for a particular audience or niche (or social media) that has some kind of clever hook or unique angle that encourages other bloggers to write about it and link to it, resulting in more traffic and a higher position in the SERPs. Obviously, creating compelling linkbait can be excellent for your website’s search engine optimization. However, while the concept itself is simple, writing quality linkbait is something that is easier said than done, even for an experienced SEO company or consultant.

There are six main types of linkbait:

1. Useful Resources/Tools

2. Humor/Entertainment

3. Breaking News/Scoops

4. Shock Value

5. Research & Analysis

6. Controversy