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Does an Outbound Link to a PDF Count?

by PaidAllDay
12 replies
  • SEO
    • |
Hey SEO experts. I recently purchased a four figure EMD domain name so I'm being very meticulous about how I go about optimizing it to rank. Before I owned the domain it was a redirect so there is no existing content.

My question is: I know it can improve SEO if you put an outbound link on each page to a related article on a high authority website... But how about a PDF? Will linking to a PDF on an authority website that talks about your topic help improve your search engine rankings?
#count #link #outbound #pdf
  • Profile picture of the author yukon
    Banned
    Outbound links aren't going to rank a page.
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    • Profile picture of the author PaidAllDay
      Originally Posted by yukon View Post

      Outbound links aren't going to rank a page.
      Sure, I am not referring to only using outbound links to rank my site just the idea that linking to an authority website from your article can improve your own rankings... like this: Outbound Link Tips | SEO Automatic
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  • Profile picture of the author yukon
    Banned
    Doesn't matter what anyone post on their SEO blog, outbound links aren't ranking pages. That's easily proven by not pointing backlinks at the money page that includes OBLs.
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  • Profile picture of the author SEO Power
    Yukon is right. The belief that outbound links help with SEO is a fallacy. I don't even bother linking to authority sites unless on PBNs just to create diversity or on my money sites when it is absolutely necessary.
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  • Profile picture of the author Dele
    If outbound links do rank sites, then everyone will be linking to authority sites. That can easily be done.
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  • Profile picture of the author SEO-Dave
    Linking out to authority sites helps the authority site not yours.

    Yes there's an SEO benefit from the anchor text of the link, but you would get that benefit if you linked to another article on your own site.

    That being said if you want to rank for any of the SERPs on my sites feel free to link to my sites :-)

    Very funny how these SEO myths become 'SEO facts' because they are repeated over and over again on forums etc...

    David
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    • Profile picture of the author PaidAllDay
      Originally Posted by SEO-Dave View Post

      Linking out to authority sites helps the authority site not yours.

      Yes there's an SEO benefit from the anchor text of the link, but you would get that benefit if you linked to another article on your own site.

      That being said if you want to rank for any of the SERPs on my sites feel free to link to my sites :-)

      Very funny how these SEO myths become 'SEO facts' because they are repeated over and over again on forums etc...

      David
      Sounds like the best option is to focus on internal linking then and ignore outbound links.
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      • Profile picture of the author SEO-Dave
        Originally Posted by PaidAllDay View Post

        Sounds like the best option is to focus on internal linking then and ignore outbound links.
        Pretty much, only link out to sites because it makes sense to link out for your visitors. Never link to a site ONLY because you think it will help your site rank, you are wasting PageRank on a competitor.

        You should consider why Google uses links/anchor text as ranking factors, the original concept (original/early Google algo) was when you link to a webpage you are giving it a positive vote that webpage is high quality and relevant to the anchor text used for the link.

        There wasn't a part to the algo by linking to a webpage ranking high for a SERP your webpage ranks higher for the same SERP because of the link. If it was this easy to game Google all you would do is link to the top 10 listing for a SERP.

        David
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        Freelance SEO Consultant
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    • Profile picture of the author Dele
      Originally Posted by SEO-Dave View Post


      That being said if you want to rank for any of the SERPs on my sites feel free to link to my sites :-)
      David
      I am not too eager to have you link to an article on my blog despite the possible gain to me. I will still want to investigate your site to ensure it will be an asset to me and not a liability in the eyes of Google.
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  • Profile picture of the author Bestseoservice
    Yes but pdf submission never gives do follow all are pdf sharing websites gives only No follow Links , there is No Use.
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  • Profile picture of the author seoboyz01
    Moz suggests that linking out to an authority site might give Google a signal that you are well referenced or documented.

    External Linking Good For SEO? - Whiteboard Friday - Moz

    If you want to be an authority on a subject, it makes it sort of look like an authority when you are referencing other materials. If you read a book, an academic book without a bibliography or citing any references, you might kind of wonder where they got their information. So it kind of helps you to look better in that respect.
    Just think of all the edu pages that have a bibliography. Or, what about wiki that has endless citation sources? And, that's considered very authoritative.

    As for linking to a pdf that better explains the content on your page, that could work as Google will index the pdf. Assuming you are providing a do follow link they can follow.
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  • Profile picture of the author PaidAllDay
    I agree with you seoboyz01 but apparently the concept is blasphemy on this forum. Wikipedia is a good indication that this method has merit. Also remember the web was built as a research tool and references are what links where made for. As long as you link to an authority site that isn't a competitor and you don't link with your desired keywords (maybe an LSI keyword instead) it should help. Thanks for the advice on the PDF!
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