Link building strategies: Trusted sites

Posted by Ken McGaffin on 30 May 2011

Trusted sites are usually defined as non-profit websites (.org), educational bodies (.edu) and government agencies (.gov). Contrary to popular belief, Google doesn’t treat links from trusted sites any differently from other links. However, just because Google doesn’t treat them any differently, that doesn’t mean that they’re not different.

Indeed, the very nature of these sites makes them valuable link targets:

• They’re hard links to get – because of bureaucracy or being risk averse, people need to be pretty sure of you before they’ll link
  
• Trusted sites will have many links from other trusted sites – government sites often link to other government sites with confidence
  

These two factors give them extra link juice to pass on and that’s why they’re more valuable.

Let’s have a look at a variety of examples from Link Builder:

Dot gov links

The first is not a .gov link but it has a very important lesson. If such sites are a high priority for you, then look at publications that government employees are likely to read.

Such publications are relatively easy to approach and government employees may link to interesting stories they cover – and perhaps direct to your site. Here’s an example of such a publication: www.govexec.com

So what about dot gov links themselves? Well there are opportunities all around – you have just got to look for them.

The city of Torrance in California links to commercial sites in the downtown historic shopping district at www.torranceca.gov

Does your local town or city offer similar opportunities?

Supporting government initiatives can also bring links as in this economic development initiative in Idaho: www.project60.idaho.gov

Donations or services that benefit the community can also bring links, as in www.nysenate.gov

Many government initiatives highlight business resources: www.loc.gov

And the energy crisis occupies the mind of many: http://apps3.eere.energy.gov

Dot org links

These are the easiest to get as there are so many .org sites.

Here are examples: http://www.itsatrip.org

http://www.marinetech.org

www.gbtc.org

www.aiminstitute.org

Dot edu links

From simply offering part time jobs to involvement in research projects can bring academic links. Here’s a selection: www.mckendree.edu

And Universities love discounts for their staff and students: www.uiowa.edu

University sports and leisure activities are some of the easiest to get: www.umich.edu

Formal involvement in important programs can also bring links: www.vanderbilt.edu

Universities are interested in their local community – and that means the small business community too. Could you involve yourself in research, offer to be a case study, or help in any other way?

www.lhup.edu

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It’s Wordtracker Link Builder. You can register now for a free 7 day trial