LinkSmart Raises $4.7M to Dynamically Change Links
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LinkSmart is a startup trying to put a new spin on link management by providing a platform to dynamically change links. They just raised $4.7M, and TechCrunch posted a quick blurb on them here that is worth reading.
In short, the application will allow a site owner to change all of the text links on their site in real-time. The idea is that this will help improve click-through rates, optimize traffic, etc.
How do you guys see this from an SEO perspective? It seems a bit scary from an indexing standpoint if links are never consistent. Also, the flow of link juice will be inconsistent.
Any thoughts?
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My guess is that the analytical aspect - which helps decide what links should go where and when - is really where the money is at. I have a friend who worked at Yahoo on their front page algorithm (what news stories show for who at what times) and I can tell you that it is worth millions for them to get that right. Maximizing that equation maximizes page views, which in a CPM advertising arrangement is far more important that just unique visits.
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There isn't much information, but my guess is most of their links are dynamically created or modified with Javascript, which means the impact on Google would be minimal.
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It won't impact SEO. They add links via Javascript snippet after the DOM is loaded. Google will not index the links.
The service is more for putting in links in relevant spots, so that users will be more likely to click a link. $4.7M is quite a bit IMO, as this certainly isn't a new concept or product.
So in short, great for affiliate and advertising campaigns. Not relevant at all for SEO.
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