The LinkWheel: Is it still relevant?

by System Wide Solutions

Posted: 14 years ago 14 replies

Hello fellow Warriors!

Back once again, this time we're on the topic of LinkWheels! As I have stated in another thread, I'm doing a research paper on SEO & LinkBuilding. I'm looking to pick the brain of the experts here on the forum.I know there are a hell of a lot of talented people on this forum, and the end results is going to:

A) Help me with my paper
B) Help noobs who are looking for this information
C) Showcase your skills/knowledge

That said, I would like to gather information on linkwheels, the different types of linkwheels, and warrior experience with link wheels, both past and present...

Some questions to spark discussion...

1. What exactly is a link wheel? What are the different types of link wheels?

2. Are link wheels still relevant? Do they still work? If so, which types work, which types don't?

3. What methods do you use to strengthen link wheels so that they are more effective?

Thanks in advance guys.. Let's get this topic rocking! =)

Shane

#linkwheel #relevant

Writingman1421 14 years ago

Ive been researching this myself but have not yet decided if its a worthwhile technique, as opinions differ GREATLY. Perhaps this thread will help me make the decision. Ill be checking in frequently
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ramprof 14 years ago

As a college professor I will not give you an answer for #1. For #2, yes they still work and work well (my students use them to rank on the first page in Google, usually in about 2-3 weeks). The key now is to modify the linkwheel so that it is not circular, but more random.

#3 - more social bookmarking, add all feeds to feed aggregator sites.
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- Fraggler 14 years ago
  
  Originally Posted by ramprof
  
  The key now is to modify the linkwheel so that it is not circular, but more random.
  
  A wheel is circular. What you are describing is not a link wheel and defeats the original purpose of the link wheel. The link wheel or whatever name you want to call it was a method used to create a closed loop of authority to artificially boost the PageRank of a group of sites. Google put a stop to this by adding an amount of decay to the linking power to remove/reduce the benefit of the closed loop.
  
  Randomly interlinking sites together is different. It still involves funnelling link juice to a money site but that is the only similarity. You can use selective interlinking to help Google find the theme and relevant keywords for a site.
  
  Revenge of the Mininet is a good read on linking structure and even though it is old it apparently does still work. Elsewhere there is a discussion of a person who won a BH SEO competition by following the butterfly method in the book but take it as you will.
  
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System Wide Solutions 14 years ago

not really sure why you wouldn't answer #1, but thats okay - to each their own. Thank you very much for the rest of your input! Let's keep this thread strong folks! Let's build something we can all use!
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| SEO Consultant | Shane Hunter |
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- ramprof 14 years ago
  
  I didn't answer #1 since you stated this is a research paper. I am a college professor and a research paper implies that you will do at least some of your own research. #2 and #3 require some expert opinion rather than seeking facts and are therefore appropriate in terms of asking experts (ie. Warriors).
  
  PS. You should be sure to cite this thread in your paper.
  
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Marakatapolis 14 years ago

I still have a linking structure diagram from like 6 or 7 years ago, and it has a "link wheel" on it... it just wasn't called a "link wheel" but rather a "closed circuit" or something (been awhile since I looked at it, can't remember where it is right now). Anyways, I guess my point is that the actual structure of link wheels is nothing new, maybe only the fact you use web 2.0 properties, but that is more of a "twist" than a new invention.

That said, I think any "closed" linking structures have always been risky in the long term.
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ShaneRQR 14 years ago

Here's my take on link-wheels:

YouTube- Broadcast Yourself.

Note that while I explain why I don't use perfect, closed link-wheels, this is not based on testing I did myself. I've never used link-wheels like that because they just seem too artificial.
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System Wide Solutions 14 years ago

awesome... thanks professor. i agree with your thoughts on not answering question one, my only problem is that it seems as though most of the information that can be found is biased information that is trying to sell me something. =)

that's why I'm looking to professionals. =)
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System Wide Solutions 14 years ago

That, and as stated earlier - this is also an experiment for the forum itself. It's here to help other Warriors get a full understanding of certain SEO elements..
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Alexander CPA 14 years ago

The basic link wheel was a simple 6 pages inter-linked like:
A->B->C->D->E->A

More and more people started to do this, so people have created other ideas, such as never-adding link wheels, huge 300 page link wheels, dead-end link wheels etc, building link wheels out of linkwheels etc. There is so much to cover, the best way is just play around with linkwheels and see what works for you.
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System Wide Solutions 14 years ago

Great! This thread is becoming awesome quickly!
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petelta 14 years ago

I love using open "link wheels" for my sites. They are a key part of my ranking strategy right now. I actually get quite a bit of traffic to my site from all the Web 2.0 sites too.

One thing I've found to make sure when making a linkwheel or any other link structure is make sure the sites aren't linking to the same content.

For example: If you have an article on getting bigger biceps on Squidoo and you have it point to an article on wordpress, don't have it link to the same article.

I take my main article rewrite it twice. One of those talks about one method to fix. The other talks about the second method to fix. I alternate linking them within the link structure.

I also don't link all of them to my money page. Mix it up for best results.
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ramprof 14 years ago

Just curious if this is for an actual class? If it is can you PM me the information? Very few university courses teach this material (in fact I believe I am the only one, so if there is somebody else out there I'd like to know it).

Thanks.
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jaratvit 14 years ago

Linkwheel still works. But you have to be more careful. Can't do it with the same hosting and can't put up mini sites altogether too. Google's getting smarter about this
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