The Controversy Surrounding Link-Jacking

Link jacking is a technique that has been around for a while, but it is still controversial. Some people see it as an illegitimate way to get traffic and improve SEO, while others see it as a great way to get exposure for their website. So, what is link jacking, and why should you care?

Link jacking is acquiring link placements on other websites through illegitimate or dishonest methods.

The shifting scale of legitimacy

Illegitimate? Dishonest?

Well, that can't be good, right?

Some believe that link jacking is a valuable way to boost traffic and improve search engine rankings, while others consider it to be an unfair advantage over legitimate websites.

Many strategies are used in link jacking, from buying links on websites with high authority to creating content designed specifically for link acquisition. Regardless of the method used, link jacking can have both positive and negative effects on your website.

The Positives:

One of the biggest benefits of link jacking is that it can quickly drive traffic to your website. By gaining links from popular and authoritative websites, you are exposed to a wider audience and are more likely to see an increase in visitors. Additionally, link jacking can also help improve your search engine rankings, as link authority is one of the key factors that search engines like Google use when determining page ranking.

The Negatives:

On the other hand, link jacking is often considered to be an unethical way to promote your website. Some people may view link placements on less-reputable websites as spam or black hat SEO techniques, which could hurt your reputation and credibility. Additionally, if link-jacking techniques are used in excess or on websites with lower authority, they may hurt your search engine rankings.

Pro's and Con's

Overall, link jacking has both advantages and disadvantages. Whether you pursue link jacking as part of your website marketing strategy is ultimately up to you and depends on your individual goals and preferences. However, it is worth considering the potential risks and rewards before making any final decisions.

Regardless of where you stand on link jacking, you must understand it's a controversial technique. Before engaging in link jacking yourself, consider both sides of the debate and carefully weigh the risks and benefits of this approach. Ultimately, whether or not link jacking is right for your website will depend on your specific goals and what works best for your particular audience.

Where we sit:

At Hyperweb, we occasionally buy known links from high-DA websites. Where we draw the line is when the process is deceitful. It's one thing for each party to understand what the arrangement is. It's something completely different to mislead, misrepresent or manipulate.

Terry Rajaram

Terry’s cauldron of knowledge in the digital world is the result of a background in advertising, graphic design, web and multimedia development… 25 years in this business.