Link Hoarding

The practice of not linking out to other sites to try to hoard all the link juice.

Definition

Link hoarding is when a website refuses to include outbound links to other sites, believing that it will keep all the "link juice" (a colloquial term for the value passed through links) within their own site. The idea is that by not linking out, they can monopolize their site's authority and improve their search engine rankings. However, this strategy is outdated and misunderstood, as search engines, like Google, value the interconnectedness and the relevancy of links shared within content.

Did you know?
Google's algorithms have evolved to recognize the value of sharing high-quality, relevant external links. Linking out can actually contribute to a website’s authority and relevance.

Usage and Context

Link hoarding is no longer considered a best practice in SEO. Originally, it was thought that keeping all your "link juice" for your own pages would improve your website's SEO ranking. However, search engines have grown smarter, recognizing the value of a rich network of interconnected content. Websites that provide users with valuable information, including external links to reputable sources, are rewarded. Including high-quality outbound links is seen as a mark of trustworthiness and relevancy by search engines.

Examples include blogs that reference research or data from authoritative sources without linking to them, or commercial pages that mention partners or products without providing direct links to those external sites.

FAQ

1. Do outbound links hurt my website's SEO?

   • Not necessarily. When done correctly, linking to authoritative and relevant sites can improve your site's credibility and SEO performance.

2. Is link hoarding a good strategy to improve my site’s ranking?

   • No, it's outdated and can actually harm your site's perception by both users and search engines.

3. Should I never include outbound links?

   • You should include outbound links when they add value and context to your content, enriching your user's experience.

4. Can linking out to other sites improve my SEO?

   • Yes, when you link to relevant, authoritative sites, it can signal to search engines that your content is valuable and interconnected within the web ecosystem.

5. How many outbound links should I include in my content?

   • There is no strict rule, but links should be natural and relevant to the content. Quality over quantity is key.

Conclusion

Contrary to the outdated practice of link hoarding, modern SEO emphasizes the value of sharing and connecting content through outbound links. Linking out to relevant and authoritative websites can enhance your site’s credibility and user experience, which are important factors in search engine rankings. It’s essential to understand that SEO success comes from a variety of factors, including how well you integrate your site into the broader web community.