Monday, January 26, 2009

Food for Thought: U Comment - I Follow

If you take a look at the source code for your blog, you'll probably see several references of the rel='nofollow' tag. This tag was originally created to prevent search engines from indexing links in order to reduce spam. However, this simply doesn't seem to work, even as a deterrent to would be spammers. Spam still exists, and if anything the problem of spam is worse than ever.



The most annoying thing about the "nofollow" tag is this: it prevents legitimate, and helpful links from being indexed by three of the top search engines: Google, Yahoo and MSN. Rather than deter spammers, it's more of a deterrent to commenter's and those who would otherwise link back to your blog. [1]

There is something we can do about this: remove the "nofollow" tags!

During my recent blog renovations, I removed the rel="nofollow" tags from my blog template. This allows backlinks, and links in my comments to be indexed by the three major search engines when they spider this blog. Search engines often use the number of backlinks that a website has as one of the most important factors for determining that websites search engine ranking.

Simple translation: using backlinks = increased blog traffic.

Readers who share useful and information in their comments on my blog will automatically be displayed with a link back to their blog, and this works the same for those who link to my posts.





"Linking to someone with a NoFollow attribute is a sign of not trusting them. It’s like reaching to shake someone’s hand, but stopping to put on a pair of latex gloves." [2]
~ Loren Baker

If it ever happens that a comment appears to be spam, I can always use the "delete" button to remove it.

So you may be wondering..."how can I remove the 'no-follow' tags from my blog?" The same way I did--follow the easy tutorial written by the very friendly, super helpful, Amanda Fazani at Blogger Buster. Fanzani's blogsite is a treasure trove of Blogger-template-tweaking, designing, tweaking, improving and promoting tips and techniques ripe for improving and generating loyal readership for your blog! She offers a full list of all her easy to understand (even for the tech-challenged) tutorials right HERE.

For more information on the You Comment - I Follow movement visit Blogger Buster, Randa Clay Design, or try a Google search for this phrase and see what you find. If you decide to remove the 'no-follow' coding from your blog, please post about it and let your readers be aware of not only your choice, but of the benefit they can spread by sharing the same open networking through their blogs...and "share the link love"!



All items featured in this post are from the shops of Etsy. Click on the grids above to increase the view size. Find these handmade and vintage shops by visiting the links listed below.

grid 1, l 2 r:
may i share your perch? print - at whim, blood sisters photo - dan keys photography, knit faux bling red scarf - little purls, tea time wood silhouette - mountain brook

grid 2, l 2 r:

shared view photo - jennifer aitchison photography, dotted vintage upcycled scarf top - tangente, connect four silver necklace - shiny bits


[1] Fazani, Amanda. "Remove 'nofollow' tags from your template to spread some link love." [Weblog Blogger Buster] Jan 2009. Blogger Buster. 26 Jan 2009 .

[2] Baker, Loren. "
13 Reasons Why 'NoFollow' Tags Suck." [Weblog Search Engine Journal] Jan 2009. Search Engine Journal. 26 Jan 2009 .


26 comments:

Jennifer Aitchison said...

Hi
Thank you for posting my "A Shared View" Photograph on your blog.
I was looking at your photos earlier today and especially like your photo of the roller skates. It brought back instant good memories :)
Have a fantastic week :)

Jennifer @ Mom Spotted said...

I am planning on looking into these tutorials tomorrow. Very interesting!

Jennifer MacNeill said...

Thank you for the helpful tips!
Off to check out blogger buster.

Learning Spanish at 41 said...

jennifer aitchison: you're so welcome--it's a great photo. thank YOU for visiting my blog and etsy shop, and for the compliments. i'm glad you enjoyed the roller skates; it is one of my favorites in our collection!

Learning Spanish at 41 said...

j. leigh designz: you're sure to find info you can use...it's a great site!

Learning Spanish at 41 said...

jennifer macneill-traylor: you're welcome--thanks for visiting my blog! the blogger buster site is a super resource so enjoy!

Kenna Elizabeth said...

Thank you!
Sounds like helpful information that I'll have to look into. :) You also featured some great items so... quite the post!

Unknown said...

Great information! The blogger buster site is down now but I'm definitely going to check back!
Thanks!

Anonymous said...

Great advise. I like to use something called
"Lucia Linky Love" on Wordpress. It makes it so people have to comment X times and then their comments become "do follow". Helps to prevent the drive-by comment spam.

Anonymous said...

Nice blog and great artwork. Thanks for sharing!

Liz Harrell said...

Good to know!1

Learning Spanish at 41 said...

kenna: You're welcome, glad you enjoyed this post!

Learning Spanish at 41 said...

julie magers soulen: Do try it again when it's active--such a wonderful, helpful site--have fun!

Learning Spanish at 41 said...

b. durant: Good info--thank you for leaving that in your comment; hope it is helpful for my readers blogging on Wordpress. :-)

Learning Spanish at 41 said...

cat: Thanks to you as well...and you're welcome!

liz: My pleasure, thanks for visiting!

Anonymous said...

thanks tina! this will be helpful!

Char said...

the problem with this is when I clink on your blog link on my follow list is that it brings up a blank page. I finally figured out you were posted and came in through your home page. Maybe I need to resubscribe?

Learning Spanish at 41 said...

char: I'm not sure what is going on with that?! Do try to resub and see if that remedies the problem..whatever it may be. I was doing a lot of HTML tweaking yesterday..maybe it caused a blip in the works.

Anonymous said...

Thx for your info :D
i like do follow blog

Anonymous said...

The nofollow is a good ideal on blogger since blogger does not provide a spam filter. On Wordpress were you have Akismet, it's not needed at all.

Learning Spanish at 41 said...

kampanye: You're welcome! :)

Learning Spanish at 41 said...

free acai: The thing is, the 'no follow' code doesn't stop the spam from coming through on Blogger. I had spam in my comments before I removed the 'no follow' tag. The folks I gleaned this info from already figured this out, too. Removing the tag doesn't mean a Blogger blog would receive any more or less spam...and it can always be easily deleted! Thanks for visiting my blog! :-)

Anonymous said...

I appreciate your understanding of the follow tag. I like the site's photos and I especially like how you used the photos to advertise ad space. The title header photo is also a well done composite of photos.

Anonymous said...

Thank you for expalinig so clearly. I loved yor site and your "beach" photograph. The way the rocks reflect is awesome!

Anonymous said...

U comment I follow phenomena was really a good sign of loving each blogger.:)

Learning Spanish at 41 said...

orange county: Thanks for visiting and the compliments.

Rita: You're welcome--I like the beach photos, too! :)

Rein: Thanks for the visit and comment...your blog template is very cool! :)

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