Outbound Linking – Underrated

We post a lot on our blog about how to best aquire valuable incoming links, with nary a peep about the power of outbound links. Our unequivocal opinion is that good outbound links are a good thing, both for users and for search engines:

For Users

• Helpfulness: Users will leave sooner or later. If you help them as they leave, they are more likely to return.
• Perceived Authority: Not sure if I’ve ever used the word “authority” in a non-SE context… but if a site links to other HQ sites, in my mind, that makes it more trustworthy to users.

For Search Engines

• Hilltop Hub Points: If you link to topical authorities your site may get “hub points” from the Hilltop algo (or similar algo’s)
• Good neighborhood: As martinibuster has said, your neighborhood is important to modern SEs. Outbound links may be as important in this as inbounds are.

Bottom line: good outbound links = good for your site.