.edu/.gov backlinks - Have they helped YOU?

[Biggy Fat]

Topic question basically. I've heard many contradicting thoughts about .edu and .gov backlinks. Some say that they're worth as much as 25 .com backlinks while others say they are just another backlink. Some say that you will need just a few .edu/.gov backlinks to rank higher while others say you will need just as much as any .com. So give me your thoughts on these backlinks.

[dadamson]

This is always relative to your competition. If your competition is ranking because of some edu/gov links then it's always wise to go out there and copy their strategies to beat them.

.edu's and .gov's can have a bigger SEO effect than .com but they should be used together, they will also work differently depending on your niche. Ie; it can be argued that Google won't pay much attention to .gov links when you have an amazon affiliate site for example.

Overall, yes gov/edu can be good for your SEO

[socialbookmark]

I don't know how some people say one .eud backlink equals 25 .com ones. Its totally wrong. The value of baclink depends on the value of website you get backlink from. I just want to say a clear example for you to understand it well. one backlink from the home page of Google, equals millions of backlinks from all other websites on the net
But usually .edu and .gov domains worth more than other regular sites and they are more qualified.

[Shirlyn]

hi, I am counting .edu nad .gov backlinks good quality backlinks for my site but if I have backlink from a .com website then it also good if the site has good Alexa.

[michaelvk]

I certainly believe that .edu or .gov sites are great for building your blog with juicy back-links.Although with those I don't think it is important to known if they are do follow or no follow because they carry enough authority regarding Google eyes.A link is a link and with those kind of extension ( .edu and .gov ) they carry enough authority to give you the juice you need for what you intend to do.
thanks,

[Biggy Fat]

Sure appreciate the input, guys. Anyone else wanna pitch in their thoughts?

[bgmacaw]

Here's a new plan to reduce the US government's deficit, sell links on .gov sites. Obama has got Eric Schmidt on his speed dial and could tell him to give sites that buy official US government links for $1000+ a pop a big boost in search results. Would you buy one?

But, to get to the question...

It's just another authority link, provided the domain in question even has any authority to share. Google doesn't treat them any different than links from any other authority site. Since they're often the only thing close to an authority link most people pick up, people have assigned them magical properties without realizing what's really at work.

They can also be devalued as a link source by excessive links out to known problem sites, just like any other site can be. While the domain itself retains authority, none of it pass out of the site.

[Adam Roy]

Nahh. People have been trying to use .edu and .gov links to manipulate search engine rankings for too long. No different than any other irrelevant link in my opinion.

[Melody]

Here's a true personal story:

I owned a site with a generic women-related title. The focus was on women entrepreneurs, and I started giving out small grants. The site was NOT about grants... but I got noticed by a university, and they put the site on their list of grants...so I added some articles and tips about grants but the site was still not ABOUT grants, it was a general business site.

But that single link helped keep my site ranked in the #1-3 spot for several grant related terms, right behind a .gov site.....the SBA....for years. I eventually sold the site for 35k. There were less than 100 links total to the site at the time of sale and it was a PR4.

Do not discount the power of a .edu link...IF IT IS RELEVANT!!!

If it's not - it may still have some juice but not the power of one good relevant link......

Melody

[Billy Rey]

yes it helped me....in more ways than one

dont over analyze this. Just get that link