Link building / baiting in the Google zoo

[seqal]

I work for a consultancy, and in the past most of our links have been acquired by giving away privacy statements etc for websites, including a link back in the body of the document, and making it a licensing requirement that the link be kept.

We're launchinga new site.  We want this one to be whiter-than-white, and would appreciate some advice on the following options.

Option 1: no links

Remove the links from the documents, and don't require links for the use of the documents.  Leave a non-linking credit in the documents.  Perhaps ask nicely for links from other pages.

Option 2: links on other pages

Remove the links from the documents, but make it a licensing requirement that users will link to our site from another page on their site.  I appreciate that most won't, but some will.

Option 3: retain the links

Keep the links in the document, using domain name (with and without http and www) and business name anchor text.

Option 4: script the links

Use scripts to generate randomized links in the documents, so that no two are the same, but with relevant linking text for the most part.

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We're risk-adverse with the new site, and it will pick up some links "naturally".  We're therefore tending toward option 1, on the basis that it may well generate as many links as option 2.

Which of these options would you choose?  Are there any other options we should be considering?

[MoosaHemani]

Whiter than white hat means you want to stay all ethical and relevant. Here is my idea to go with.

White hat means you links should be natural and relevant to the website (if not all at least many). In order to get relevant domains, I would advise you to get list of blogs and start promoting your website through content.

-          Building link through offering free content to bloggers will allow you to use diversified keyword anchor text and you will be able to use all keywords as an anchor text on different blog posts.

-          Why not make a badge or something (that can easily fit your industry as far as I think) and encourage people to share on their website this will allow you to get good amount of link without much effort.

-          Building a white paper (downloadable) that define the need of your services (non promotional) will encourage people to download your white paper and may link to you and talk about you on social medias.

White hat link building do need time and effort but above given techniques can go long term as Google love them and no sooner coming update is going to hit this negatively.

#justathought

[seqal]

Thanks Aran - brilliant idea.

I agree with you re option 2 - it's ugly.

And yes, not seriously considering 4.

[Aran_Smithson]

Glad you like.

You could also setup a facebook page for your business and require people to like it in order to get at the free content (similar idea just using facebook over twitter, though I prefer twitter to help drive serps).

[cbielich]

That is an awesome idea!

[Aran_Smithson]

I'd go with option 1 personally and look to leverage the content another way...

I love the "Pay with a tweet" idea, there are services which require you to Pay for a download with a tweet. http://www.paywithatweet.com/

This is a great way to get some credit for your work, spread the word socially and attract some links/authority from relevant sites and its all perfectly natural!

Option 2 sounds a little shoddy and difficult to manage.

Option 3 could prove to be dangerous with hundred/thousands of ;links with same anchor text

Option 4 Woah there buddy, this sounds a litle 'grey'.

If you want to be 'Completely clean' go with option 1, ask people to share socially or link to you in return for the content.

Hope thats of some help.

Aran

[seqal]

Thanks Cesar for your reply.

We won't generally be linking to sites that use the documents.

[cbielich]

One thing to keep in mind is whether you are going to link to their site as well. With links pointing back and forth you may be "Link Farming" its better to have one way links that 2 way.