Pixel Thread

Without trying to write a post that is in itself ‘link bait’ by being controversial, the title of this post is my genuine feeling about ‘link bait’. My immediate response to the term, is ‘what a waste of everyone’s time’, but then I can also see ways where it doesn’t need to be a waste of space.

If you haven’t come across the term yet, ‘link bait’ refers to any content posted on the web that the poster hopes will generate them traffic.

The most obvious form of this is using controversy to try and interest people in your opinions.

For example a blogger might post something with a controversial title just to get people to read their blog.

But what’s the point in saying something controversial if you don’t mean it?

This desperation for clicks just adds to the endless inane chatter that the web facilitates so well.

Alternatively, if someone posts something insightful which gives a new perspective on a current debate, then that’s also link bait, because people will want to link to it. Content is king again?

The moral of this story is only publish genuine content that you believe in. Don’t try and be controversial to generate links, you’re just wasting everyone’s time.

More:

Matt Cutts (Google) on link baiting
Link baiting on Wikipedia
Boris Johnson - king of link baiting in the real world ; ) (NB linking to Boris certainly does not imply support of his policies, but just proves that his baiting works!)