A year or so ago, I checked out LinkXL and considered selling contextual link ads through them, but for some reason I never did. I don't remember why I didn't. I probably just got busy with something else and forgot about them. I do that alot unfortunately.
Nevertheless, I was alerted to them again recently, and when I found out that they offer the ability to sell contextual links with nofollows on them, my interest was peaked. Say what you will about nofollows, but I learned my lesson last fall when Google slapped me upside the head, and I promised Google then that I would forever place nofollows on all paid links. So, in keeping with that promise, I thought checking LinkXL out again might be a good idea.
I signed up with LinkXL a couple of weeks ago, went through the process of getting the site spidered by their bots, and waited. Sure enough, within a couple of days, several people had purchased links. These links were automatically placed in my content by the widget code, and the requisite "nofollow" tags were appropriately applied. In other words, after the initial signup, configure, and install process, I didn't have to do anything. Everything was done automagically, in a Google-friendly manner. Of course, I have the option of canceling any purchased links, so if I have a problem with any of the advertisers, I'm not forced to run their ads.
I haven't used the service long enough to really be able to judge whether or not the market is large enough to make this worthwhile or not, but it definitely shows promise, and I'm willing to let the test run for a few months to see how it all turns out.
If you want to sell text ads, but don't want to face the wrath of mighty Google, consider using LinkXL's nofollow option (make sure to actively choose the nofollow option). This may be the text link option of the future.
Excellent to know, thanks! Are your paid links the ones under “recommended”?
Admittedly, I don’t get what “in my content by the widget code” means.
I just noticed they have a WP plugin, are you using that?
No, those recommended links over in the right-hand sidebar have nothing to do with the LinkXL links. Those are products/services I have personally tried and think are worth using.
in-content = within a post, as an example.
Although I haven’t specified which site I’m using them on, I will say that I am using their WP plugin for that site.
Well now I know why I didn’t find them, and I’m not going nuts LOL
“by the widget code” is what confused me, sorry.
I wish you good fortune with LinkXL, I hope both you and they do well and make lots of bucks.
With that said, I find it very sad that everyone has to worry about how we link advertising on our sites.
“PageRank wrecked the web. Google is the cause of all of this. and Google is going down with it.” — Richard Skrenta
Just saying. 😉
I am actually seeing this more often, buysellads.com offers this as well.
From an SEO standpoint, I suggest Link Brokers are dead. See my post:
http://www.insidedesign.info/blog/2008/07/05/death-to-the-link-brokers/
How much did you get by writing this post??
please be frank…
No one is going to buy links if we use NO follow…
Even if anyone sells me pr6 for 10$ also i am not going to buy…
Google is not going to slap those guys who are selling links with nofollow. Why because they know pr juice cannot be passed through nofollow..
Really i dont know if you selling links with nofollow or not.. If you are selling links with nofollow then you are cheating with Innocent guys…
Thank for Excellent post 🙂
I hope that my comment will be accepted..
Thank you.
@anshuda – This wasn’t a paid review. If it had been, I would have disclosed that information. And no one is cheating anyone. Anyone who purchases a nofollow’d link does so KNOWINGLY. The information is fully disclosed. I don’t cheat anyone out of anything, so don’t even go there.
Hey Donna,
I’m glad this was brought to the surface again, so to speak. Last time around I got sidetracked and forgot to sign up…now it’s in my “to do next” file 🙂
It’s just a shame that opinions are given more often out of ignorance then knowledge.
I am extremely sorry mam..
Why because at the inital state i got cheated in dp..
Forgive me please 🙂
Thank you..