Don't use Links in Signatures

[SEO]

Using Links in Signatures

Pros:
Search engines might index your site
It MIGHT count as a backlink (if it's Do Follow)
Users might click on it

Cons:
Not as visible as an image or banner ad
Could lead search engines to penalize you, if you have backlinks all over the place on unrelated content

Images on the other hand...
- Are visible
- Catch the eye
- Don't result in being penalized for blackhat SEO
- Allow you to develop brand recognition

I recommend using some sort of image to represent your website on forums, instead of just putting links in your signature. Doing this also allows you to change your signature across all websites at once.
If you upload the image to a directory you have access to (yoursite.com/images/yourimage.png), then you can edit the image and the changes will appear on every forum signature you've embedded the image in.

This is pretty self explanatory, but hopefully will help the people that default to using links.

 

[Mikaya]

I prefer to use some some of ad banner or icon which is clickable (leads to forum/site) they're more effective, and are more attractive then boring links.

if you don't have one, get a GFXer to create one. It's worth it.

 

[dirvine.com]

Most of the forums I'm on don't allow images in signatures, so I don't have much of a choice 🙁

 

[tunescool]

im not an expert but i think this wrong, ive been getting thousands of backlinks for years with my text signatures

 

[Joshua Farrell]

What is wrong with using text links in signatures? Nothing. Possibility of no one clicking on it? Yep.

What is wrong with a graphical image in your signature, that links to your forum? Restricted by individual forums, on how big the images can be. Can be objectionable to someone. It is something that makes a big break in the conversational flow, making it a possibility that people might get blind to it quite quickly. And of course, there is the possibility of no one clicking on it, just like the text link.

So why do I prefer text links over graphics? Because I do not have to follow graphic rules on every forum I go to, by using text links.

You wouldn't believe how many forums have restrictions on the number of images and the size of images one can have in one's signature.

 

[Mikaya]

well, you don't need a huge banner to advertise your site. Even a small logo would suffice. I'm well aware of restrictions, but they can't be that strict, right?

 

[SEO]

All of your points are very valid, but when it comes to what is better for getting clicks, I think that images come out on top.

Assuming a forum allows you to have images or links, without penalty, having images will develop brand awareness and get you clicks, whereas links may have less impact. That said, images DO break up the conversation so may not be completely great for all types of forums.

 

[Joshua Farrell]

SEO, I wasn't trying to start an argument with you. So do not take it personally.

 

[SEO]

SEO, I wasn't trying to start an argument with you. So do not take it personally.

Oh I didn't lol, I was just saying.

 

[Beverly]

I like the idea of using a banner in signature line. But, I don't think you will get penalized too much, if you only have signature links on related threads, such as pages which talk about things which are similar to the site you are linking to. Still the banner is useful as it makes people stop and pay attention rather than skimming over.

 

[buysell-browse.com]

Don't know how others feel, but I tend to "skip" the cute pics and only read the text in signature links. Perhaps a combination of banner and text may be more useful. Always good to know exactly what it is before you click.

 

[Beverly]

Don't know how others feel, but I tend to "skip" the cute pics and only read the text in signature links. Perhaps a combination of banner and text may be more useful. Always good to know exactly what it is before you click.

I think it depends on the individual viewing the signature line and the specific banner or text being used there. For instance, I like to read some signature lines with text, but others make little sense or are not very relevant to my own interests. One of the signature lines that always catches my attention is the Nintendo forum banner. Everytime I scroll down the page, I either stop and look or click through to see what new posts are there. I like gaming anyway, but the yellow on the banner catches my eye.