Forum signature backlinks: are they worth it?

[bobrittany]

Ok - I've read everywhere that dropping links to your website in your forum signature is a great way to get backlinks. But how do I find a forum that allows signature links? Every forum I go to either:
A. Doesn't allow signatures links, period.
B. Allows signature links, but they must be NON-SPAMMY (must either sell/promote nothing OR promote your own product or service only. This means NO affiliate marketers. I wouldn't say my site is "spammy" - it provides lots of helpful info, but I do have affiliate links (I'm an affiliate marketer after all).

So,
#1. Is it worth my time to try and find a forum I can post my link in? Will the back links I create help increase my traffic?
#2. Where can I find these forums that allow all sig links?


Thanks in advance for your input! I've been confused about this for a very long time....

[FrankRumbauskas]

The new "Panda" algorithm at Google has really de-valued backlinks and now content is truly king. Build lots of content into your domains whether it's via an in-domain blog or however you want to do it.

[thebitbotdotcom]

Nope...they're pretty much useless...

[greatar4]

The problem is your plan is to just drop a link in your signature. Forums' owner like people who want to become a contributing member in their forums because that's what going to determine how successful a particular forum will be. Most forums that I know allow people to have a signature, they simply want you to have the required number of posts before you can be allowed to have a signature.

#1. Is it worth my time to try and find a forum I can post my link in? Will the back links I create help increase my traffic?
#2. Where can I find these forums that allow all sig links?

Yes, it's worth your time to try to find forum that you can post your link, if you are willing to contribute in those forums in a helpful manner. Forum back-links don't usually convert into traffic except if that forum is related to your site.

Here is a list of forums in which you can have signatures.

Tycoon Talk by Freelancer.com :: Be a Big Fish! Pr0
Webicy Webmaster Forum Pr0
Artist Forum - Discuss painting, drawing, photography, graphic design and more Pr2
All Webmasters Forum Pr2
Seo/Webmasters Forum - Index Pr2
Webmaster & Web Development Forum Pr3
Affiliate Programs Directory - Many Affiliate Marketing Programs Listed Pr4
Psychology & Mental Health Forums and Blogs Pr4
Page Not Found - Debate Politics Forums Pr4
http://www.warriorforum.com Pr5
DevHunters Webmaster Forum Pr5
Webmaster Forum Pr5
SEO Forums - Webconfs.com Pr5
WebProWorld :: Index Pr6
Experience Advertising - Affiliate Program Management and Recruiting Company Pr4
HostSearch Forums Pr5
SitePoint » Web Design, Web Development, Freelancing, Tech News and more Pr6
allcoolforum.com Pr3
Kahuki Webmaster Forum and Discussion Community

[Look4VGames]

Originally Posted by bobrittany

Ok - I've read everywhere that dropping links to your website in your forum signature is a great way to get backlinks. But how do I find a forum that allows signature links? Every forum I go to either:
A. Doesn't allow signatures links, period.
B. Allows signature links, but they must be NON-SPAMMY (must either sell/promote nothing OR promote your own product or service only. This means NO affiliate marketers. I wouldn't say my site is "spammy" - it provides lots of helpful info, but I do have affiliate links (I'm an affiliate marketer after all).

So,
#1. Is it worth my time to try and find a forum I can post my link in? Will the back links I create help increase my traffic?
#2. Where can I find these forums that allow all sig links?


Thanks in advance for your input! I've been confused about this for a very long time....

It is not worth your time to search for forum backlinks by using a signature, but if you happen to use a forum, there is no reason to not try to get your link in your signature. such as the warrior forum i suggest you add a link to your sig, because it can help out in the long run.

[Kiril S]

I would say they're worth it, especially on high PR forums. Dropping a
link in your signature and posting useful posts is sure effective. The forum doesn't need to be related to your keyword, just post on forums you have interest in, you'll kill two birds with one stone. However, if you find a related forum which you have no interest in, you can always make one useful post and let it be.

[Jake Gray]

If you plan on using your WF signature just for SEO related purposes, I can
tell you right now that'll be a waste of time. You need to diversify your links.
And due to the fact that profile links aren't what they use to be, its much different.

[amiramin]

i dont know about anybody else but the low qulity links (like profiles, signature etc) are helping me, in medium level competition. This is my personal experience.

[glennforum]

Forum profiles and signatures does help in your link building effort, i believe that link building was not devalued with the Google Panda Algorithm, instead the Panda Algorithm highlighted the type of content that we all should be placing in our website these are quality and unique contents.

[Kikos]

I believe you should not invest in forum links because, unless you are a contributing member, which most of the time you are not (as you just go for links), the forum owners will sooner or later delete the account which removes all links and posts = work wasted.

Actually I stay away from anything where a moderator - figure has the power to delete the entire account with all posts / links.

[gtk29]

Yes signature backlinks are good but after Panda update, do not rely too much on just building backlinks. Instead concentrate on the content.

[Delarox]

No harm in having a sig link but as far as seo is concerned, i wouldnt spend time on it...should be good for indexing at least

[Roberto L]

Surely they are of some value, like the forum here, not only you can add your links in the signature but also you will find many useful SEO resources, like what 'Greatar4' wrote above.

[evi]

hi, could you recommend me some great backlinks services that provide the forum signature? Thanks.

[Dalyinx]

Originally Posted by FrankRumbauskas

The new "Panda" algorithm at Google has really de-valued backlinks and now content is truly king. Build lots of content into your domains whether it's via an in-domain blog or however you want to do it.

What are you talking about?

Backlinks are still worth plenty. Forum signature backlinks are especially useful. I'd suggest utilizing them, but make sure you have 100+ quality posts before stopping any campaign like that. You'll also get a nice amount of referral traffic from them.

[curtainsandblind]

Yew it is very useful. it is part of SEO.

[summerfranken]

Relevancy must be there.

[bestrevenueshare]

Yes, why not. You can start it from here, the site allow do follow links and it is a page rank 5 site. So try it. There are many forums allow the same but only restriction is that, they offer signature after a certain number of posts.

[bruceetz]

I haven't heard anything that says that they'll hurt you but it has been documented that you should vary your anchor text to be more natural. Too many links of the same text do hurt today.

Sidenote: Is everyone looking at everyones signature in this forum topic? I am and can see the affiliate marketers pretty easily. I think it's safe to say we agree that we hope signature links stay important.

[strategic seo services]

Signature backlinks are definitely still worth it, especially if they're dofollow and originate from domains that have a PR of 5 or higher.

[LinkClub]

Originally Posted by FrankRumbauskas

The new "Panda" algorithm at Google has really de-valued backlinks and now content is truly king. Build lots of content into your domains whether it's via an in-domain blog or however you want to do it.

Links off all kinds are definitely still valued by Google...some more than others. True many Forum and Blog post links are from "no follow" pages. It's up to you to use a browser plugin to know before you get involved with a no follow page what that page is all about.

But to say that links are no longer relevant is...well not correct. Google rocketed to fame due to its reliance on links and the indication links provide as to which content is relevant and valuable. Links are here to stay as long as Google is at the top of the pile....

[edegreeusa]

Exactly! Now only content is the king and so building content based backlinks like backlinks from blog posts and other relevant posts ill work. Try to focus on creativity and relevancy and I assure you to fix permanent position soon in Google SERP.

[MarvyDery]

it really works. it depends on the forums PR and whether you are just there to spam them with your links. be active and make useful comments.

[JKflipflop]

Forum signature backlinks, if done without automation and spam, can actually be valid traffic drivers. From the SEO perspective, the focus has now shifted more to quality content. That's what the general perception is.

[kochtgr]

Links on forums are great for traffic if you add value to the threads and make people trust you and want to learn more from you but they are pretty much useless for SEO...

[simona86]

It is the right place where you will get relevant information related to your needs. Many of the websites receive a very high amount of traffic and are a huge opportunity for whatever niche your site may fall into. By making an effective signature link for each your posts, you can see an drastic increase in your backlinks and also traffic. This traffic is often highly targeted.The web forums can be used successfully to generate traffic to your website or blog which in turn can help to promote your business.

[TheProgrammer]

yes they are still worth, because sig. links are best way to get targeted traffic. only interested people will click on your link. so that means this traffic is more worth than any other paid traffic ways.