Ahhh, the strangeness that is links.
This week’s column will hopefully spark some questions, answer a few others, and also point out some weird linking related phenomena, beginning with two examples:
- If this search is correct, Google indexes a little over (Use Dr. Evil voice) 1 billion pages from the Yahoo.com family of domains.
- But, if this search is correct, Yahoo only indexes 521 million of its own pages.
Can it be true that Google indexes more of Yahoo’s content than Yahoo! does, and if so, why and WTF?
On the flipside, Google indexes 4.1 billion pages of Google.com based content, but Yahoo only indexes 92 million pages of Google.com content.
This means Google’s bots are nicer.
Anchor text is my sore spot. Hate it. Overrated as on/off site signal, and always has been, especially in spammy verts with no solid IBLs. People sell anchor text linking services. Some are based in other countries. Why would I think this? Because of this search.
Over 18,000 use the anchor text “Please to click“? Really? Imagine how they’d mangle a keyword. Probably wouldn’t? Wrong. Have a look. I love this. Vigra? That’s just plain funny. Or intentional. Either way, it’s anchor text at it’s worst.
So, Google announced they weren’t going to keep throwing DMOZ a bone (below)
Google says bye bye to DMOZ
Is anyone really shocked?
With Yahoo now practically hiding it’s directory, and Business.com shutting down, what does this say about general all-encompassing Web directories when the big three aren’t considered front page properties? Two words: Vertical. Curated.
Hurricane Irene has raised a ruckus up and down the East coast. You’d think there would be lots of articles about hurricane preparedness, and you’d be correct.
And what does that search tell you about article directories? I’ve got the word “article” in my three word search term, and still, they can’t rank. Shouldn’t an article directory (if it is of any use), be able to rank somewhere when the word article is used in the search string?
But wait. Here’s another search. There they are. So the more spammy the vertical, the more crap Google will serve you? I like it. This seems so obvious as a way to vet where you submit content. Use it.
Good linking!
Opinions expressed in the article are those of the guest author and not necessarily Search Engine Land.
Related Topics: Link Week
Premium member since 05/2010
Funny post. You are always one of my favorite reads, extra enjoyable when your sarcasm is raging. This article struck me as particularly barbed with common sense wtf. Thanks.
Premium member since 01/2009
Thanks Gordon. Here’s one more oddity.
This search [ cialis site:.edu ] has 20.3 million results
This search [ religion site:.edu ] has 17.5 million results
I do not want to even attempt to draw conclusions from this, but my alter ego, LinKmoses, might deduce that the university environment is at war with itself. And horny is winning :)
-Eric
You may want to double check that Business.com is definitely going out of business. I just read a press release (http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/businesscom-media-inc-grows-revenue-for-15th-consecutive-quarter-in-q2—2011-127541163.html) saying that they were acquired and have ‘grown in revenue’.
Not sure what the deal is with that, but wanted to send it along.
Great post, BTW.
Jon