Exchanging Comments: The Only Way to Drive Traffic?
Hi, WAers,
Not too long ago, I engaged in an interesting discussion with a WA member regarding the exchange of comments to drive traffic to our sites.
I think all of us here have used either the Comments thread or SiteComments at some point. We've been told it's a good practice for SEO purposes. When search engines see engagement in our sites, they rank them higher since they're like, "Hey, there's something going on here!"
We all know that Google takes different elements into consideration when ranking sites. Two of them are site authority and engagement. To rank higher, we need both. However, we run into a dilemma, which reminds me of someone looking for a job for the first time. We know experience is important, but how do you get experience if you have never worked before? The same thing happens with sites. How do we get authority and engagement if no one visits our sites? It's a never-ending cycle.
I suppose there comes a point where you don't have to rely too much on comments, but what do you do when you don't have a large audience? Which brings us to the reason I'm writing this post:
1. Is exchanging comments unethical? Are we gaming the search engines?
2. Does exchanging comments here within WA really help?
3. When can we stop using them?
4. Do you use them? If not, what do you do to drive traffic?
I was told we can get penalized by Google for creating such networks. This hasn't been my case, but again, I haven't been very successful at exchanging comments here either.
What is your take on this? Let me know in the comments below.
Recent Comments
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The comments from within the WA are very variable in quality. I have become ruthless at rejecting lazy crap comments.
Exchanging comments is probably ok as long as the comments written are all original and relevant and not done to simply game the system.
SEO is just one method of driving traffic. I get much more from content marketing on social media.
Yes, I see what you mean, Dave. Could you please elaborate a little? How do you use social media in this regard? Do you run ads or what do you do?
Hi I have been told itâs gaming the system.
But then I look at Tony Lee Hamilton who requests comments all of the time, he is successful and has been here for years.
Confused to say the least.
I'm with you, Lisa. I've thought many times of dropping SiteComments but continue using it as I don't see any other way to drive traffic. đ
The thing is getting high quality comments. Since most of the comments out there are from people with their own agendas saying âthanks so much for this infoâ and thatâs it. All theyâre doing is trying to get on with the next comment to increase their credits within the system. Coz of this then the search engines wonât matter too much about your SEO and wonât rank you.
So what you're saying is they only work as long as they're high quality? Google won't consider those generic comments then? đ€
Yeah bro thatâs what Iâm saying. Whatâs the point of having a crap comment just for the sake of a comment? And if you just reply with âthanksâ then thatâs not doing you any good.
If you want fast results then start advertising for page 1.
Interesting questions and I will beinterested in the answers from the folks that have seen success or that have been here longer. I use the comments thread and site comments feature quite a bit.
I used the Comments thread in the beginning but then switched to SiteComments. My results have been variable, but it's hard to find posts and receive quality comments at the same time.
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Fresh Content=Traffic
High PR Backlinks=Authority
This is what Kyle has been teaching since the beginning, that it is content that brings the traffic to your site. We need to continue writing that content frequently. Comments helps with the popularity of our sites. Google considers many factors.
But what happens if we post content constantly but don't receive any organic comments? đ€
Organic comments don't click on your affiliate links, people do and they are the ones with the credit card in hand. That's why we need to concentrate on the content that our audience wants to see, so we can help them with their situation.