Does Bitly hurt your SEO?

[StreetwiseReports]

I often use bit.ly or Google URL shortener in links when other websites post my articles so I can track clicks. However, I am thinking this may HURT my SEO given that it is taking away a back link to my website. Is that logic correct ?

If so, what is a good way to be able to track clicks if a website posts your article without jeopardizing the SEO value?

[zeepartner]

the bots can easily identify a url shortener, as this performs a normal 301 redirect

[StreetwiseReports]

Thanks, but I am wondering how this is possible, unless the search bots could identify that it is a link shortener

[brandonjschwartz]

You're probably right about the estimate. I haven't done any testing on it or the impact of redirects in general personally, but have seen some folks suggest as high as 99% but others much lower.

[zeepartner]

no, i'm referring to Boomajoom's comment above "only 99% of the rank instead of the full value".

[StreetwiseReports]

thanks, what do you mean 99%. do you mean that it's 99% less effective?

[zeepartner]

no, it won't hurt your SEO, but you will get less out of it than by linking directly. how much of the link juice flows is unclear, but my estimate is that it's much lower than 99%.

[Workaholic]

I see a lot of people use bitly, but I personally prefer using goo.gl, it's a Google product and it pretty much gives you the same metrics than bitly.

[brandonjschwartz]

Slightly. Like any redirect, you lose some of the link value. However, Google has said that PageRank does flow through shortened URL's. It just might only be 99% of the rank instead of the full value.