Can Javascript Links Be Used to Reduce Links per Page?

[Jay-T]

We are trying to reduce the number of links per page, so for the low-value footer links we are considering coding them as javascript links. We realize Google can read java, but the goal is to reduce level of importance assigned to those internal links. Would this be a valid approach?

So the question is would converting low-value footer links to js like below help reduce the number of links per page in google's eyes even though we're reasonably sure they can read javascript.

<a <span="" class="html-tag">href</a><a <span="" class="html-tag">="</a><a class="html-attribute-value html-external-link" target="_blank">javascript:void(0);</a>" data-footer-link="/about/about">About Us

[Jay-T]

Thanks Russ, ultimately I'd like to remove the low value links. We can work to increase links to the more important pages but was hoping to reduce these low value links as well.

[Jay-T]

Thanks much, I appreciate the heat map suggestion and context.

[rjonesx. 0]

This kind of PageRank sculpting has largely fallen out of fashion because Google has become so good at detecting alternate link forms and ignoring PageRank sculpting attempts that attempt to hide links. Your best bet is to work on INCREASING the number of links inside your site pointing to important pages, rather than trying to hide links to one section. I would not worry at all about having a sitewide link to your about page, for example. It is a drop in the bucket.

[ZoeRigley]

Hi James,

I'm not sure this approach will work, as Google is getting better and better at reading Javascript links. In this post from Search Engine Land, Adam Audette researched Javascript links, and found that all tested links were found and followed by Google.

Do you have a very large number of links? I'd try using heat-map data tools (for example MouseFlow) to work out what your visitors are actually clicking on on your site, and whether you could narrow down the number of links that way, keeping user experience as your key factor.

Hope this helps, good luck!