Getting Links: Sniffing Out .Edu Comment Links
Posted by Amateur BlogsI’ve been away from this blog for a bit because I’m working on building niche sites. Perhaps the most challenging aspect of this work deals with getting links, at least for me. When I first started developing niche sites I was totally scared of pursuing blogroll link exchanges. I was worried about what the recipient of the request would think of me. Since then I’ve gotten better about asking and it’s actually paid off. With new niche sites I’ve found that it’s better not to aim too high. I mean, how many PR5 sites will agree to link to my brand new PR N/A site, regardless of how great the content? So, I go for PR0-PR3 sites. Thus far the only people that have agreed have been from PR0 sites but that’s okay.
For about every 25 requests I get about 1 site owner to agree to the exchange. At first I had mixed feelings about doing this, but if your site and the target site are similar and both of you keep your sites fresh with good solid content, it can turn out advantageous for both parties as your sites age a bit and gain some authority. And it’s not anything underhanded: as long as you’ve got good, accurate content it makes sense that another site owner would want to link to your site because your content is something his/her visitors might be interested in.
Now, on to the subject at hand: .edu links.
As you may know, .edu and sites typically have high PR. Think about it: there’s usually some new academic announcement, sports event, or research going on at universities which other high PR authority sites reference in news stories. I’d imagine almost every college and university in the world has a website.
Wouldn’t it be cool to get a comment link from one of these high PR sites?
Here’s what I’ve been testing:
In the Google search bar type “site:.edu (site subject)”
For example, if you have a niche blog about golf you’d type site:.edu golf
Once the Google listing appears start visiting the sites to see if they accept comments. Actually, an even better term to use for a golf blog would be site:.edu golf blog. This will return a listing of .edu sites that have golf blogs or blogs in which golf was discussed. Since almost every university offers golf classes you may find a few blogs that accept comments.
I just started using this strategy for one of my niche blogs by leaving comments at university sites in which that particular niche was being discussed. As a result I’ve gotten a few comment links. Now, some of the .edu sites require a student username and password and some are nofollow, but I was surprised at the number that were regular blogs with dofollow comments. Some colleges let their students host blogs on the university website. Because of this, I’ve come across some blogs that haven’t been updated in a few years (I’m assuming the student has graduated and the webmaster didn’t remove the blog).
Of course, you’ll need to leave relevant comments that add something to the topic being discussed or it will be marked as spam.
Feel free to share your experience.
This post is pure gold! Thanks for sharing your know-how!
You’re welcome!
Chanya,
I happened to be going through your posts, and I came upon this…ah, the ironies of life! I have one daughter going into her Senior Year at college and one entering college next year. I PURPOSELY have withheld the fact from them that I have a blog, as I know my older daughter – who goes to school in the Boston area of all places – would have ALL of her .edu friends posting comments – and “artificially” inflating my readership numbers! What do you think – should I tell her, or is that an unfair advantage??? (And wouldn’t you know it, she’s going on to grad school!)
What do you think?
Rita
If I was in your position I wouldn’t do it. I’ve deliberately not told my friends about my blogs for the exact same reason – I don’t want them to feel obligated to visit my site and leave comments.
I also want the freedom to write about whatever happens to be on my mind without worrying about what they might think, just like you mentioned in your story about your friend who “outed you” as the new Bloggrrl.
Hi!….
I was searching on internet for links importance and I found your post..it is really interesting…keep
it up….look forward to read more from you
Thanks for this tip … it has me thinking of different applications of the same strategy.
Maybe could be used in certain categories with .org extensions.