A Discussion On Blind Links - Page 3

MadMax · 2005-08-27, 02:41 PM

I'd like to get a discussion going with the other LL owners here on blind links. This is partially out of my own curiosity regarding the policies of others, and partially to give all the submitters who post here an idea of what will and won't fly at various LLs since most submitters try to build sites that are good with just about everyone. I'd like to invite all the LL owners to be longwinded on this one if you're willing to take the time.

By the same token, my experience on my own sites and hubs is that blind link traffic is damn near worthless when it comes to conversions.

Everyone's got a somewhat different definition of what is and isn't blind, and it seems I'm more strict than many on blind links.

So, the question is...what exact types of links do you consider blind? There are some that are kinda "no brainers" like thumbs linked to the sponsor. With text links and graphic text links, where do you draw the line?

I look at every link individually, and try to put my head into "surfer mode" when reviewing. The essence of everybody's rules on blind links boils down to whether or not the surfer is being deceived into clicking a link. IMO a surfer should always know when a link will take them to another site and basically what to expect there.

Often it has to do with how closely a given text link is positioned to a banner ad, since they're often and very effectively mixed. Any text link that's in the same link tag as a banner that's clearly advertising passes the test, since it changes on mouseover when the cursor's over the banner. I consider text links that are immediately adjacent to a banner (top, bottom, side) and in the same link tag to be an extension of the banner.

With "stand alone" text links, my rule is that it has to be clear to "Joe Surfer" that they're going to another site and basically what to expect there. Any text link that includes phrases like "take the tour", "instant access", "at sponsorsite.com", "free previews", "visit whatever.com", "free samples", "join free", "join now" or any of dozens of other variations on the same idea works fine with me.

I've been seeing more and more of these 3 and 4 line text links that make no mention of a pay site and they're starting to wear on me. You can't possibly tell me you don't have room for a mention of the paysite or membership or something like what's listed above when you're using multiple lines of text.

By the same token, adding phrases like this but changing the text color to something that really blends into the background I consider an obvious attempt at deception.

Text links that only have "click here" linked but are surrounded or preceded by text talking about the paysite are cool with me as well. A big stand alone "click here" is an exception with me and I don't mind them as long as they don't go to exploits...if a surfer has strayed so far from the pack that they'll knowingly click a link without having any idea where it goes then I'm too busy to worry about them

I'd consider the following examples (taken from today's reviews) to be blind links if they go to a sponsor:

"Take a look at the photos of these two beauties kissing,
and see all the lust, all the passion, all the innocence unfolding.
Their wet tongues gently lick each other, and the sparks fly.
CLICK HERE to find out what they are up to."

"Watch our hotgirls fuck and lick
each other for their
FIRST TIME."

"Every girl is a lesbian inside.It's just a matter of time until she let's it all go,and we are there when she does.
See her very first time with another girl.
It's a beautiful thing, and you can see it all NOW!"

" Unlimited quantities of adult movies, streaming and downloadale -
... - the largest Online Movie Collection !!!
Download Full Length Studio Porn Movies !!!"

These are similar text links from today's reviews that I don't consider to be blind, and they're still damned good advertising IMO:

"Where the the ladies of sophistication and experience love to play ....
With cocks!
X-Rated Mature Porn.com"

"Come along to
We Live Together...
See what happens when hot girls like us get
REALLY turned on!!"

"THE MOST EROTIC FOOT SEX YOU'LL CUM ACROSS
... Foot Kink.com features hot foot worship, explosive foot jobs, sexy toe sucking and so much more!"

So, what does everyone else think?

2005-08-27, 02:41 PM	#1
MadMax "Without evil there can be no good, so it must be good to be evil sometimes" ~ Satan Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Motor City, baby, where carjacking was invented! Now GIMME THOSE SHOES! Posts: 2,385	A Discussion On Blind Links I'd like to get a discussion going with the other LL owners here on blind links. This is partially out of my own curiosity regarding the policies of others, and partially to give all the submitters who post here an idea of what will and won't fly at various LLs since most submitters try to build sites that are good with just about everyone. I'd like to invite all the LL owners to be longwinded on this one if you're willing to take the time. By the same token, my experience on my own sites and hubs is that blind link traffic is damn near worthless when it comes to conversions. Everyone's got a somewhat different definition of what is and isn't blind, and it seems I'm more strict than many on blind links. So, the question is...what exact types of links do you consider blind? There are some that are kinda "no brainers" like thumbs linked to the sponsor. With text links and graphic text links, where do you draw the line? I look at every link individually, and try to put my head into "surfer mode" when reviewing. The essence of everybody's rules on blind links boils down to whether or not the surfer is being deceived into clicking a link. IMO a surfer should always know when a link will take them to another site and basically what to expect there. Often it has to do with how closely a given text link is positioned to a banner ad, since they're often and very effectively mixed. Any text link that's in the same link tag as a banner that's clearly advertising passes the test, since it changes on mouseover when the cursor's over the banner. I consider text links that are immediately adjacent to a banner (top, bottom, side) and in the same link tag to be an extension of the banner. With "stand alone" text links, my rule is that it has to be clear to "Joe Surfer" that they're going to another site and basically what to expect there. Any text link that includes phrases like "take the tour", "instant access", "at sponsorsite.com", "free previews", "visit whatever.com", "free samples", "join free", "join now" or any of dozens of other variations on the same idea works fine with me. I've been seeing more and more of these 3 and 4 line text links that make no mention of a pay site and they're starting to wear on me. You can't possibly tell me you don't have room for a mention of the paysite or membership or something like what's listed above when you're using multiple lines of text. By the same token, adding phrases like this but changing the text color to something that really blends into the background I consider an obvious attempt at deception. Text links that only have "click here" linked but are surrounded or preceded by text talking about the paysite are cool with me as well. A big stand alone "click here" is an exception with me and I don't mind them as long as they don't go to exploits...if a surfer has strayed so far from the pack that they'll knowingly click a link without having any idea where it goes then I'm too busy to worry about them I'd consider the following examples (taken from today's reviews) to be blind links if they go to a sponsor: "Take a look at the photos of these two beauties kissing, and see all the lust, all the passion, all the innocence unfolding. Their wet tongues gently lick each other, and the sparks fly. CLICK HERE to find out what they are up to." "Watch our hotgirls fuck and lick each other for their FIRST TIME." "Every girl is a lesbian inside.It's just a matter of time until she let's it all go,and we are there when she does. See her very first time with another girl. It's a beautiful thing, and you can see it all NOW!" " Unlimited quantities of adult movies, streaming and downloadale - ... - the largest Online Movie Collection !!! Download Full Length Studio Porn Movies !!!" These are similar text links from today's reviews that I don't consider to be blind, and they're still damned good advertising IMO: "Where the the ladies of sophistication and experience love to play .... With cocks! X-Rated Mature Porn.com" "Come along to We Live Together... See what happens when hot girls like us get REALLY turned on!!" "THE MOST EROTIC FOOT SEX YOU'LL CUM ACROSS ... Foot Kink.com features hot foot worship, explosive foot jobs, sexy toe sucking and so much more!" So, what does everyone else think?