MSN Search Engine Beta Optimization Techniques - Links count in MSN Search too
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In keeping with the holistic optimization approach to MSN Search, links are very important as well. Google, as we all know, is not the only search engine that values links. MSN places a different emphasis on various link types from the Google algorithm, however. Keeping the differences and similarities in mind will enable a webmaster to achieve strong rankings in all of the major search engines.
As with all of the search engines, there are subtle differences in the values awarded to the various types of links. It’s important to remember the different algorithms provide different weights for links from other sites and Web pages, links within the site itself, and numbers of links from a site including site wide links. MSN Search is no different, and includes its own special link value biases.
Internal site links are important to MSN. Be sure to link extensively within the site, using strong link anchor text thematically related to the content of the receiving page. While Google might only give full link credit to one internal link, with the others receiving much less, MSN appears to be much more generous in that regard.
A well designed site map with good link text will ease the MSN spider crawl of the site and ensure that all pages are indexed. Don’t make the directories too deep since there is some evidence that MSN’s spider does not dive as deeply as the Google spider. Probably three levels down is the maximum depth for a complete crawl by the MSN bot.
Links from external websites are very important to MSN Search, as they are famously valuable for Google’s algorithm. Not only quantity of links counts for MSN, but quality is important as well. Links should be from theme relevant sites, since MSN is working with context weighted calculation. In effect, sticking to sites that offer a related theme and similar topics will pay strong dividends.
Link anchor text is very important for high rankings too. Make certain, however, that the link text has some degree of variation to appear as naturally occurring as possible. Identical anchor text, across the board, raises red flags in all search engines. MSN is no exception to that rule.
Incoming links from external sites gain benefit from quantity as well. Obviously, the more sending Web pages, the better. In the same vein, quantity of links from within a sending site is well rewarded by the MSN algorithm. While Google has lowered the value of site wide links, MSN gives them very high marks. Instead of crediting only the first one, as Google does, MSN considers all incoming links to have values, and rewards them accordingly.
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