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Using Rel=Author to Add Link Credibility?

by JimSEO
8 replies
  • SEO
    • |
Hi all,

As an agency, we are considering adding the rel=author tag on footer links from our clients' sites.

The idea is that footer links have very little value to them, however the rel=author might help add some credibility to these links. Who knows - this might add value, so it's worth trying.

The one concern is whether this could be considered the correct use of rel=author. We made the sites, therefore we are the author, however I wondered whether a) anyone else has implemented this and b) if not, whether you'd consider that to be spammy.

Thanks
#add #correct #credibility #link #relauthor
  • Profile picture of the author dikoro
    Originally Posted by JimSEO View Post

    Hi all,

    As an agency, we are considering adding the rel=author tag on footer links from our clients' sites.

    The idea is that footer links have very little value to them, however the rel=author might help add some credibility to these links. Who knows - this might add value, so it's worth trying.

    The one concern is whether this could be considered the correct use of rel=author. We made the sites, therefore we are the author, however I wondered whether a) anyone else has implemented this and b) if not, whether you'd consider that to be spammy.

    Thanks
    I use it mainly to mark my client's content as original. Nothing more. As Matt Cutts said.
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  • Profile picture of the author dikoro
    oh and these days it is one of the steps to make better google snippet of our site too. profile snippet with your photo on Google.
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  • Profile picture of the author markowe
    I would rather reciprocal link to my actual google + profile, or a pseudonymous one, ahem. Then there is a chance to get a snazzy author icon by the SERPS entry, which can't be bad for authority or for ctr. I am really not sure what happens if you use it the way you suggest but it can't do any harm.
    Signature

    Who says you can't earn money as an eBay affiliate any more? My stats say otherwise

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    • Profile picture of the author dikoro
      Originally Posted by markowe View Post

      I would rather reciprocal link to my actual google + profile, or a pseudonymous one, ahem. Then there is a chance to get a snazzy author icon by the SERPS entry, which can't be bad for authority or for ctr. I am really not sure what happens if you use it the way you suggest but it can't do any harm.
      Yeah i also wonder though if the profile photo on SERP help any CTR% because i find myself avoiding those snippet all the time.
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  • Profile picture of the author JimSEO
    Thanks for the response all - much appreciated!

    We have of course entertained the idea of getting the author image in the SERPs by linking to a Google+ account. I can definitely see the benefit for brand awareness if you can get your company logo there, however it seems that right now that Google only wants to put in author pictures on blog posts etc. I don't think a picture of my boss next to our homepage link will particularly help CTR - not that I'm saying he's ugly, if you're reading this!!

    The real reason I was thinking about rel=author was to add some significance to the footer links. We have thousands of them on client sites and it seems like potentially a good method to promote yourself as a key contibutor in the eyes of search engines. I don't know how much impact it would have; seems worth a go but don't know whether that would be a spammy way to use it.

    If we try it, I'll be sure to post results here.

    Thanks everyone!
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    • Profile picture of the author paulgl
      So if everybody and their brother uses it, abuses it,...
      what good is it?

      I can't say rel="me" is much better. Since anyone and everyone
      can add it...everywhere...

      Paul
      Signature

      If you were disappointed in your results today, lower your standards tomorrow.

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    • Profile picture of the author retsek
      Originally Posted by JimSEO View Post

      Thanks for the response all - much appreciated!

      We have of course entertained the idea of getting the author image in the SERPs by linking to a Google+ account. I can definitely see the benefit for brand awareness if you can get your company logo there, however it seems that right now that Google only wants to put in author pictures on blog posts etc. I don't think a picture of my boss next to our homepage link will particularly help CTR - not that I'm saying he's ugly, if you're reading this!!

      The real reason I was thinking about rel=author was to add some significance to the footer links. We have thousands of them on client sites and it seems like potentially a good method to promote yourself as a key contibutor in the eyes of search engines. I don't know how much impact it would have; seems worth a go but don't know whether that would be a spammy way to use it.

      If we try it, I'll be sure to post results here.

      Thanks everyone!

      So if I understand correctly you want to add <a href="http://www.domain.com" rel="author">text</a> to a bunch of footer links, to somehow increase their value?

      What's the name of your SEO company so I know to avoid you.
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  • Profile picture of the author Buyseech
    Hi there,

    well I looked at rel=author from a different perspective, that got me to a increase of CTR without changes in my rankings. I wrote an somewhat extensive post of it on my blog ->
    How Google+ can double your CTR in Google`s search results

    It just hit me the first time I saw a picture next to the search result.

    It worked for me, maybe it will work for you.

    Sincerely, Buyseech
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