The debate on netlinking: a controversial question
The question of the importance of netlinking in SEO divides the community. Some argue that this practice has become obsolete, while others still consider it an essential lever for website ranking.
Google PageRank: a key element still in force
Google’s PageRank, the basis of its ranking algorithm, remains a central element in determining the relevance of websites. Although the algorithm has evolved, the link remains proof of a third-party recommendation, essential for establishing a site’s authority.
- The facts: At a conference in September 2023, a Google representative claimed that links were no longer among the top three ranking signals. However, he also emphasized that for most content, links remain crucial for discovery and trust.
- Authority via the EAT: Google places particular importance on the expertise, authority and trustworthiness (EAT) of websites. The presence of links from third-party sources is a key indicator of a site’s reputation and authority on sensitive topics.
Google’s founding patent: an essential reference
Patent US6285999B1, filed in 1998, is a key document for understanding how Google’s algorithm works. It describes the method of ranking web pages based on link structure, highlighting the importance of netlinking in evaluating the relevance of content.
The netlinking system is an essential tool for prioritizing web pages based on their relative authority within the network. However, this practice is often questioned due to the proliferation of low-quality links. Some criticize link farms and indexing, pointing out that a link from a site without an editorial line brings no benefit. Additionally, linking to a low-quality site will not solve structural problems. Despite this, there are platforms and link sellers that do a remarkable job of finding relevant and quality sites.
Furthermore, the emergence of Navboost raises crucial questions about Google’s use of click signals and user behavior to assess the relevance of results. Thus, a link placed on a rarely visited page does not send a positive signal, which calls into question the editorial value of the link.
Our observation highlights the importance of netlinking in very competitive queries, where it can make the difference between appearing in the Top 3 or being relegated to the second page. However, a quality strategy is essential, favoring a single link from a reference media over multiple links on general sites. In addition, the theme and indexing of the link are essential criteria to take into account.
The evolution of netlinking towards mentions in the AI era highlights the notion of citation, influencing the responses of conversational agents. Being mentioned by an authority source, even without a clickable link, allows you to associate a site with a theme. Thus, modern linking encompasses both SEO and reputation management.
In conclusion, netlinking remains an important lever for SEO, but it has become more demanding. Rather than considering it as a simple SEO tool, it should be seen as validation of the authority and quality of a site. Before questioning the effectiveness of netlinking, it is essential to ensure that the site offers useful content and an impeccable user experience. A new bill to regulate social networks
A bill aimed at regulating content on social networks has been presented to Parliament. This bill aims to combat the spread of false information and hate speech online.
Strict measures to hold platforms accountable
The bill provides strict measures to hold platforms accountable, including requiring them to quickly remove illegal content reported by users. Platforms that fail to comply with these obligations could face significant fines.
A mixed reaction from digital players
Digital players have reacted mixed to this bill. Some believe that it is necessary to regulate online content to protect users, while others fear that these measures will restrict freedom of expression on the internet.
A public consultation in progress
A public consultation is currently underway to gather citizens’ opinions on this bill. The authorities hope to take into account the concerns of the population before finalizing the text.
An important step in the fight against illegal content online
This bill represents an important step in the fight against illegal content online. It aims to strengthen the accountability of platforms and protect users from hate speech and false information.
