63 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}
63 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}

Yahoo Answers: Backlinks

by redstanford
52 replies
  • SEO
    • |
has anyone figured out how to get backlinks from Yahoo Answers without leaving your site's URL in the comment like you see with a lot of spam replies.
#answers #backlinks #yahoo
  • Profile picture of the author jacked
    You can leave it in the resource box, but I wouldn't use Yahoo Answers too much. They are nofollow links.
    Signature

    BEST LINKS AT THE BEST PRICE GUARANTEED
    HIGHLY REVIEWED - BEST PRICES - AMAZING SERVICE
    Comments, Profiles, Pyramids, Bookmarks, Article Submissions, Web 2.0 Creation, & Much MORE
    WF THREAD
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3553154].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author redstanford
      would you still get a backlink off of it though?
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3553173].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author JSProjects
    Yahoo Answers for backlinks is pretty worthless.

    But if you've got a level 2 answers account your links will be clickable. There's some "grey hat" methods that can be used with a level 2 account, since questions @ Yahoo Answers tend to rank pretty high in Google.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3553306].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author cka233
    You main aim of using Yahoo answers should be for direct traffic, because the links they provide are nofollow
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3553307].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author rain21
    links in yahoo answers are nofollow, so it doesn't help for SEO. Just good to get some traffic
    Signature
    Dried Fruits & Condiments
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3553330].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author jacked
      Originally Posted by rain21 View Post

      links in yahoo answers are nofollow, so it doesn't help for SEO. Just good to get some traffic
      Yes this, they will not help your rankings, but they will drive traffic if you can leverage them nicely.
      Signature

      BEST LINKS AT THE BEST PRICE GUARANTEED
      HIGHLY REVIEWED - BEST PRICES - AMAZING SERVICE
      Comments, Profiles, Pyramids, Bookmarks, Article Submissions, Web 2.0 Creation, & Much MORE
      WF THREAD
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3561662].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author masterjani
    Links from yahoo answers helps in getting high quality traffic.Sure helps only when your level1 account moves to level2
    Signature
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3553395].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author BenJackson
    Just because they are "nofollow" doesn't mean they are worthless links. Yahoo Answers is moderated: don't you think that Search Engines would see a level of trust coming from links that are on a well moderated site?

    Don't dismiss the links simply because they are nofollow. Answering a question on yahoo answers (answering effectively NOT spam) takes all of about 1-2 minutes and can get you targeted traffic. People in yahoo answers will see your answer AND on occasion your answers will show up for long-tail keywords in the SERPs.

    You're doing SEO because you're trying to get targeted traffic eventually from ranking highly. Why wouldn't you want targeted traffic right now as well?
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3553454].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author NoFluorescentLights
      not only do many people who seem to be succesful at SEO talk about having a balanced backlink profile/portfolio which would naturally include no follow links (even though the vast majority of links on the internet are do follow according to matt cutts), what makes you think a do follow link from a PR N/A or PR0 site would be any better? what is that going to bleed to you in terms of link juice? ive seen some consistent trickling traffic from my links there, but i do wish i could get some anchor text on them. would love a trick for that but have never seen it on any answers...
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3553749].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author 1234nasir
      But mate...... this process is lengthy and time taking.

      Originally Posted by BenJackson View Post

      Just because they are "nofollow" doesn't mean they are worthless links. Yahoo Answers is moderated: don't you think that Search Engines would see a level of trust coming from links that are on a well moderated site?

      Don't dismiss the links simply because they are nofollow. Answering a question on yahoo answers (answering effectively NOT spam) takes all of about 1-2 minutes and can get you targeted traffic. People in yahoo answers will see your answer AND on occasion your answers will show up for long-tail keywords in the SERPs.

      You're doing SEO because you're trying to get targeted traffic eventually from ranking highly. Why wouldn't you want targeted traffic right now as well?
      Signature
      Latest Technology

      Juris Australia Lawyers
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3557359].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author BenJackson
        Originally Posted by 1234nasir View Post

        But mate...... this process is lengthy and time taking.
        It really isn't though. Yahoo Answers is far from a primary method of promotion for me, but I still use it and it takes very little time. I get on about once or twice a week and bang out some answers in a few minutes.

        Is 5 minutes of your time worth a new subscriber or two? What's the lifetime-value of a subscriber or customer for your site? I'm guessing it's worth more than 5 mins of time.

        That being said, I don't think any method of link building should be ignored: D-I-V-E-R-S-I-F-Y
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3558504].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author netw6000
    Hello:

    I beg to differ on the nofollow thing. I just checked my stats in Google Webmaster tools and Yahoo Answers is listed right there in the "links to your site" section. Whether they count much or not is another question. But they definitely are seeing the links you put on Yahoo Answers and aparently not ignoring them.

    What I do is try to use my keywords in the answer. I only search for open questions first. I also put my keyword right before my URL like this...
    keyword phrase - your domain here with http in front

    Google does look at surrounding text for keywords.

    It's even better if your keywords are in your domain name then your anchor text is built in.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3554501].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Kurt Abel
    Don't shy away from backlinks just because they are no follow. Google wants to see a natural link profile, and it doesn't look very natural for a popular site to have all do follow links pointed at it... just my 2 cents.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3555020].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author paulgl
      Originally Posted by kwaaea View Post

      Don't shy away from backlinks just because they are no follow. Google wants to see a natural link profile, and it doesn't look very natural for a popular site to have all do follow links pointed at it... just my 2 cents.
      That makes no sense, but explains how bad advice sounds so good, people go
      for it.

      Getting nofollow links to balance anything to look like "natural" to google
      is crazy. You get the nofollow links. I'll concentrate on ones that matter.

      Natural? I'd sure like to find the person that came up with that nonsense.

      My gosh people we are debating yahoo answers! That alone is crazy.

      The first answer should have been, "Do something else that matters."
      And let the thread die. If you are new, yahoo answers does not even
      give you a link. They have really cut down on the spam.

      Paul
      Signature

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

      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3555250].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author seobuzz
        Originally Posted by paulgl View Post

        That makes no sense...
        Paul
        From your post it is quite evident that you are clueless about the power of Yahoo Answers for generating targeted traffic to a website.

        And you are 'clueless' because you have failed miserably to understand the mindset of the people who are participating in Yahoo answers community. They all looking for some solutions, and the people who answers their question also relate to that problems. So if your answer is reasonable and make sense, there is 70% chance that they will also click your URL which you have provided. And that visitor may turn into your customer!

        Anyway to do that, you need to have at least level 2 yahoo answers account; and many don't have that patience to collect 250 points. So a huge percentage of IMers are missing the opportunity which Yahoo answers provide.

        And question of Nofollow or Dofollow does not make any sense here!! Or does it?
        Signature
        SecondIncomeBlog.com
        Ideas and Techniques to Make Money Online
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7159790].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author YellowGreenMedia
        So you're saying that a backlink profile with only do follow links doesn't raise red flags over at Googles HQ?



        Originally Posted by paulgl View Post

        That makes no sense, but explains how bad advice sounds so good, people go
        for it.

        Getting nofollow links to balance anything to look like "natural" to google
        is crazy. You get the nofollow links. I'll concentrate on ones that matter.

        Natural? I'd sure like to find the person that came up with that nonsense.

        My gosh people we are debating yahoo answers! That alone is crazy.

        The first answer should have been, "Do something else that matters."
        And let the thread die. If you are new, yahoo answers does not even
        give you a link. They have really cut down on the spam.

        Paul
        Signature
        Learn How To Setup Your Own Six Figure Lead Generation Business.

        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8012083].message }}
        • Profile picture of the author RedShifted
          Originally Posted by YellowGreenMedia View Post

          So you're saying that a backlink profile with only do follow links doesn't raise red flags over at Googles HQ?

          I have a site with over 1,000 nofollow links, and about 32 dofollow, that ranks on page 1 for a bunch of different keywords. Dying to see if this site gets penalized.

          Here is something to consider, my nofollow links bring in more traffic than my dofollow. Not just because I have more of them. But some of these nofollow links make excellent sources for traffic.

          Like all my youtube videos on page 1. They're all nofollow. But they bring in a very impressive chunk of traffic. My concern is traffic from any and every place possible. And if someone is going to ignore nofollow links, from places that are known to drive lots of traffic... then what can I really say? They can't be that smart.

          -Red
          {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8012256].message }}
          • Profile picture of the author smodha
            Originally Posted by RedShifted View Post

            I have a site with over 1,000 nofollow links, and about 32 dofollow, that ranks on page 1 for a bunch of different keywords. Dying to see if this site gets penalized.

            Here is something to consider, my nofollow links bring in more traffic than my dofollow. Not just because I have more of them. But some of these nofollow links make excellent sources for traffic.

            Like all my youtube videos on page 1. They're all nofollow. But they bring in a very impressive chunk of traffic. My concern is traffic from any and every place possible. And if someone is going to ignore nofollow links, from places that are known to drive lots of traffic... then what can I really say? They must be idiots.

            -Red
            Good point RedShifted - some of the best traffic sources on the planet are no-follow. You would be silly to discount it.
            Signature
            I Sell What People Want. The Money Is A Bonus..
            {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8012290].message }}
        • Profile picture of the author Mike Anthony
          Originally Posted by YellowGreenMedia View Post

          So you're saying that a backlink profile with only do follow links doesn't raise red flags over at Googles HQ?
          Don't know if he would say that but I would. the whole idea that Google has some magical ratio of nofollow to follow that it considers natural is unproven and pretty much mythical and yeah since I do research in buying domains in the thousands by now I have seen many small business sites with only followed links that do fine.

          Seriously I remember when this whole get nofollowed links to appear natural started - with link package sellers who couldn't be bothered filtering their packets for just followed links. They wer trying to sell the newbies that it was okay that most of their packet was nofollowed. Its been raging as a myth ever since.

          As for Yahoo answers - traffic is fine but the only thing I use it for is if I see it in a serp I know Can rank on the page. It has the worlds most craptacular answers.
          Signature

          {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8012308].message }}
          • Profile picture of the author YellowGreenMedia
            Originally Posted by Mike Anthony View Post


            Seriously I remember when this whole get nofollowed links to appear natural started - with link package sellers who couldn't be bothered filtering their packets for just followed links. They wer trying to sell the newbies that it was okay that most of their packet was nofollowed. Its been raging as a myth ever since.
            That figures lol

            I always mix in some % of nofollow links, mainly because they give me traffic, but i still have a feeling (and i admit it's not based on test results) that Google will look at your BL profile and if it is only dofollow there could be a red flag for further inspection.... I rather not have Google poking around in my BL profiles
            Signature
            Learn How To Setup Your Own Six Figure Lead Generation Business.

            {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8014538].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author lexilexi
    I wrote an entire section on link building from Q&A sites (such as Yahoo answers) in my Link Building black book. I thought 'what the heck' and decided to post it here, it's some useful info. There are lots of Q&A sites out there and some of them are not nofollow.

    Q&A sites

    Let's say you have a free resource of some kind available. There are a growing
    number of "Question and answer" sites out there where there may be people
    seeking exactly what you have to offer!

    Can send very targeted traffic - and in some cases PR. I think this tactic is
    better suited for traffic than PR - but be warned, looking at some of the scary
    questions on certain of these sites, I occasionally wonder if I even want their
    traffic! However, looking at the audience demographics of these sites using
    Quantcast (great research tool by the way) shows that these sites often have a
    broad, balanced audience demographic. The audience, in short, consists of all
    kinds of people asking all kinds of questions.

    I have read that on some of these sites it is possible to subscribe to certain
    keywords and receive an email when such a question is asked - but I haven't
    discovered that feature yet; anyway, something to look out for.

    Yahoo! Answers - Home (links are nofollow as of Jan 2009) This is the
    big one. According to http://www.marketingvox.com/draft-qu...leader-037442/ (2008) they had 74% market share for Q&A
    sites. Use their "advanced search" feature to find unanswered questions related
    to your keywords - nice.

    Answers.com: Wiki Q&A combined with free online dictionary, thesaurus, and encyclopedias - was apparently still dofollow as of Apr 29th
    2008, but when I tested it (Jan 2009) , neither the regular http://www. nor an
    <a href=> tag created a clickable link out from a posted answer. Here's their
    Advanced search - Answers.com - Question Search
    also Answers.com - Help Center: Asking a Question on WikiAnswers - gives another
    way to find questions. Hugely popular site – global Alexa rank 134 (Feb 2010).

    GoFTP :: Home :: Fast, Free FTP Client - new site that has exploded in popularity in Q4 of
    2009.

    Help.com - I looked at this one but most of the questions are
    pretty random and their search doesn't seem to be working. Not so highly
    recommended (but maybe it will be fixed by the time you read this).

    AOL Answers. Ask Us Anything - profile links are do-follow, links in answers are nofollow,
    in questions are do-follow (Jan 2009)

    Unasked.com : The Only Stupid Questions Are The Ones Left Unasked - only profile links are dofollow.

    Even more to investigate:
    Ask questions, Find answers - Askville
    Ask Questions, Get Free Answers - Blurtit – global Alexa rank 1749 (Feb 2010).
    Answerbag.com | Ask Questions, Get Answers, Find Information – global Alexa rank 1295 (Feb 2010).
    Fluther: Tap the Collective
    LinkedIn Answers - Home | LinkedIn
    Lycos
    Google Groups
    AnybodyOutThere - Talk about it
    Mahalo Answers
    LinkedIn Answers - Home | LinkedIn
    Ask Me Help Desk – global Alexa rank 6542 (Feb 2010).
    http://www.qna.rediff.com
    Ask Questions, Get Answers from Experts ASAP | JustAnswer
    http://www.readwriteweb.com/archives/question_and_answer_sites.php

    There are a growing mountain of these sites! Obviously the biggest ones will
    send the best traffic – but the good news is that your answers on any of them
    may be picked up by future search engine queries.
    Signature

    "If there is no door, it becomes necessary to break out through the wall."

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3556797].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author somenathsen1
    i think yahoo answers is nofollow.......you use some dofollow site to get backlink and improve SEO rank......
    Signature
    Enroll 17000+ Video Courses For FREE Click Here
    How to Guides & Blogging Tutorials
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3558542].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Enzo Ewens
    I would say Ask Yahoo answers with Targeted Keywords in mind as they rank faster in the search engines. Although it is no follow it doesn't mean it can't help with your site getting traffic.

    What google says about no follow is that it doesn't PASS pagerank, but my tests reveals that no follows "might" be one of the ranking factors of Google so I wouldn't devalue it much.

    Also it is more "natural" if you have nofollow links in your whole linkbuilding profile. Right?
    Signature
    ***** Read My Complete SENUKE X CR Review *****
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3561686].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author heshan
    i think now yahoo answers does not allow ppl to post links and dont misuse it for spamming coz ur yahoo account can get deleted
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3562048].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Victor Edson
    The links are "nofollow" but that doesn't mean you shouldn't use the site.

    If you're asking about it, chances are that you don't have a huge list with loads of push button traffic. So you could use it for free, easy traffic.

    Just don't use it as a way to get your site to move up in the serps, or you'll be spinning your wheels for a long time.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3562156].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author lexilexi
    Agreed; seeking relevant links directly for the traffic that can come of them is a great link building practice and the traffic is independent of search engine whims!
    Signature

    "If there is no door, it becomes necessary to break out through the wall."

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3565974].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author olakh
    Yahoo answers help us to get backlinks.I also do yahoo answers to get good result.
    Signature
    Diploma Accounts in Ldh
     Learn Accounts in Ldh
    Accounts Training in Ldh
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3566074].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author theseowork
    From Yahoo answers you get traffic or no follow backlinks as well as..
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3566655].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author pilaruk
    The great thing about Yahoo Answers is that you are building your reputation and that by helping people you could attract people to your business.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3568601].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author jonnyhardbaked
    Yahoo answers can generate good traffic. And getting traffic for me is part of link building campaign.
    Signature

    Acquire an unlimited access to over 2,000 eBooks with unlimited Downloads and resale rights for only $55! Join me now!

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3569319].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author jacked
      Yea exactly jonny. I have had some amazing success before while using Yahoo Answers to generate traffic to my money site.
      Signature

      BEST LINKS AT THE BEST PRICE GUARANTEED
      HIGHLY REVIEWED - BEST PRICES - AMAZING SERVICE
      Comments, Profiles, Pyramids, Bookmarks, Article Submissions, Web 2.0 Creation, & Much MORE
      WF THREAD
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3572416].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author sane1
    So great for traffic and useless for links?
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3573144].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author HorseStall
    Write regular good quality answers and link to additional information on the site.
    Signature
    Horse Gifts :: Dog Gifts :: Wild Animal Gifts :: Mythical Creatures
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3573798].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author kayelopez2012
      you can use them to generate traffic.
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7156173].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author milliondream
    The method you propose has been around forever and it works. However YA traffic alone won't get great results. You want to get those pages optimized to that you can get residual search engine traffic.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7159851].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author webdse
    Originally Posted by redstanford View Post

    has anyone figured out how to get backlinks from Yahoo Answers without leaving your site's URL in the comment like you see with a lot of spam replies.
    You can always leave a link in resource box. If your answers are meaningful and they are getting good number of votes then the same nofollow will work as do follow no doubt.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7160470].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author CyborgX
    Yahoo answer is good but sometime its effective or sometime not because Yahoo answers gives you maximum bounce rate
    Signature
    Best online hotel booking website
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7161064].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author ProSence
    Of course, Yahoo Answer is good and it gives good result in SEO too, instead of getting traffic.

    Yes, it is nofollow but it has higher authority then other sites.
    Signature

    three great FREE tools - www.sitebeak.com, www.GAtective.com and www.impersonal.me

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7853867].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author pinkhand
    Originally Posted by redstanford View Post

    has anyone figured out how to get backlinks from Yahoo Answers without leaving your site’s URL in the comment like you see with a lot of spam replies.
    Good question..I have worked on yahoo answers and after certain level I was allowed to put my link in the answer like it was clickable link..I got many backlinks from it when I cheked my analytics .It was approximately 80+ visits but after some time I was banned to participate in yahoo answers.So I also dont know how one can get backlinks all time from yahoo.:confused:


    Offshore Software Company | Top Software Company | Complete IT Services
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7854032].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author KateHunter
    Don't post a link that is not relevant to the question and answer, and don't post the same url many times from the same account (even if it's relevant) or you will get your account banned by yahoo.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8011825].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author smodha
    Like any popular forum, Yahoo Answers is better utilized for the traffic it generates.

    If someone posts a question like "how do I treat acne?" and you reply "I suffered from acne for years. Here's what I did <insert solution>. If you want more information then checkout my page here <point to your acne site>".

    The targeted traffic you generate outweighs the value of the no-follow link.
    Signature
    I Sell What People Want. The Money Is A Bonus..
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8011885].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author blogfreakz
    I think right now for yahoo answers it no longer allows click-able links directly to the answer as oppose to the other answers that I found that have them.
    Signature
    Listen to your favorite podcast here
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8012111].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author RaySaj
    backlinks do need to be diverse so do use various manners to create the website......
    Signature
    Language Translator | Wedding Shoes
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8012121].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author carol18
    i have tried yahoo answers but it was completely useless!
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8012139].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author STLSEO
    I can't believe people are still interested in this tactic. :rolleyes: This was SO 4 years ago (and now probably has little or no link value).

    You should probably be spending your time on writing compelling content and creating contextual backlinks.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8012246].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author apnavarun
    I just want to say that even though yahoo answers back links are no follow, It helps in getting traffic. I have found good jump in traffic when I use them.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8012456].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author affilorama-portal
    Yahoo answers links are no follow but you can still benefit from this site by leaving helpful advice and information. You can start putting links if you gained a certain level of expertise (i think). Aside from this, Yahoo answers are easily indexed by search engines and most of the time, they appear in the first pages of SERPs
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8012536].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author smodha
    I don't understand why no-follow links get so much attention. In my opinion, it's one of the least important (and probably the most boring) IM topics to talk about.
    Signature
    I Sell What People Want. The Money Is A Bonus..
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8014859].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author tahir100
    Yahoo Answers links may not be good for SEO but can generate a bit of traffic...
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8015698].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author skwithu
    Although I am also getting the same problem. The seo of your website will never improve but as matt cutt says its not always about do follow its about quality back linking. It may improve rank if 20-30 users daily are coming to your website from yahoo. I have see this on my blog previously when they have not banned me.
    Signature

    See how I converted $1 to $1000 in 1 month...Yes it Works !
    styloblogger.com

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8581798].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author moneyt
    Hey You Use Yahoo to build your Business With it and also helping others at the same time.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8581822].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author powerofschool
    Yahoo answers are No follow links.
    But You will get some traffic from yahoo , if you leave the links relevant answers.
    Signature

    Get ready to ace your digital marketing interview with our comprehensive guide to the most commonly asked questions and answers. Upgrade your skills today!

    Digital Marketing Interview Questions and Answers

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8584072].message }}

Trending Topics