What is a Backlink?

If you do not know what a backlink is you have certainly heard another blogger or Search Engine Optimization (SEO) expert mention it. Here are two good definitions:

In basic link terminology, a backlink is any link received by a web node (web page, directory, website, or top level domain) from another web node [1]. Backlinks are also known as incoming links, inbound links, inlinks, and inward links.  (Wikipedia)

The backlink is essentially the same thing as an inlink. It is a link on someone else’s site that leads to your own, and it’s extremely important to garner a large number of backlinks that are reputably obtained for several reasons. First, in SEO or search engine optimization, part of the algorithm for ranking your page on search engines is determined by the number and quality of backlinks to your site, providing they occur naturally and you have not purchased them. Second, backlinks are how you get known on the Internet. If lots of other sites provide a link to yours, a natural increase in traffic to your web pages occurs. (Wisegeek.com)

Here is a post I read on backlinks today. If you have other references you would like to add please post a comment.

Three ways to generate backlinks for FREE

Baby Boomers and Ebay Collectors and Sellers

This entry is part [part not set] of 10 in the series Baby Boomers and Social Bookmarking Can You Digg it?

Did you know that a Teddy Rooselvelt Marble sold on Ebay for $4,500?
I just saw a great blog established by Ebay for collectors and buyers of collections. It is called Ebay Collectors. The blog shares collector items that have sold as well as tips for purchasing an item to add to your collection.

I was more than impressed to see that Ebay designated a blog specific for this market group. I am also excited when I read about the prices that some of the collector items have fetched.

Now, note that the site does not have the comments currently open so I cannot suggest you go and post your insights or questions. Ebay has other great resources for answering your questions.  In addition you can email them your questions.  But the blog is a gold mine for baby boomer collectors who are on Ebay or want to purchase a collector item from Ebay.

Notice that the header is simple with just the logo and tabs for seven (7) pages. This makes navigation pretty easy for folks not used to blogs. Also, there is currently only one social bookmark for Digg and social network interfaces for Facebook and Twitter.
However, the very fact that those three options are available makes for powerful blogging. I am certain that it will expand as Ebay goes deeper and deeper into social media.

Note also that the Twitter feed is in the sidebar and tag cloud is extensive. If you think the comments should be open then shoot them an email. But as a blogger you also know how much work is involved in maintaining a blog. For now, you can always follow them on Twitter to ask questions.

This blog is still very new and it pays to keep an eye on how it progresses. I just love it when businesses expand and use the power of blogging. I also relish the appreciation for collector items that baby boomers know so much about.

If  you are not currently on Ebay but want to get started here is an excellent starter resource. Of course there are a lot of books out there on Ebay but this particular author has 35 books to her credit. It is easy to read and chuck full of information.