Are You a Link Whore?

Since the whole I Follow Movement thing last spring, there have been lists of blogs published with titles like “10 High PR I Follow Blogs” encouraging readers to visit and comment, and “be sure it doesn’t look too spammy or it might get deleted.” Now that page rank has been updated, there are new lists being published, and since I’m now at PR6, I’m more of a target than ever for those sleazy link-whoring tactics. It’s not that I mind all that much – it’s pretty easy to spot and I can always delete the URL if not the entire comment.

While I certainly understand the urge to try and get as many high PR links as one can, in the end, many link whores are just lazy. All that time spent gathering links could be put to much better use writing great content, and networking with other bloggers.

Are you a link whore? Here’s a little quiz to help you answer that question:

1. Have you ever paid for a link (you can even buy links on ebay now!)? (5)

2. Have you ever left a comment just because you knew the site had turned off no follow? (2)

3. Have you ever done a press release that was full of links, but had nothing that was actually newsworthy? (5)

4. Have you ever used a trackback just for the link? (3)

5. Do you have multiple social bookmarking accounts, just so you can submit your posts multiple times? (3)

6. Have you ever e-mailed another blogger, asking to be added to their blogroll? (4)

Add up the points in the parentheses for each question you answered yes to. See how you fall on the relative scale of slut below:

0 – Congratulations! You get a halo and a gold star.

1-5 – Okay, that’s not so bad. We’ve all felt a little desperate to build links at one time or another. Resolve to never do it again and you can have the gold star too.

6-12 – We’re starting to edge into slutty territory here. Go leave 5 comments on blogs that actually contribute to the conversation, and don’t let me catch you looking for that I Follow badge (see my sidebar) before you do it either.

13-17 – You slut! 20 lashings with a wet noodle and then go write a nice long “how to” article for your site instead of sending those e-mails to bloggers you barely know, asking to exchange links or to be added to their blogroll.

18 or more – [cue the Eagles’ Desperado soundtrack] You need help! Start the 12-step program at Link Whores Anonymous immediately and remember that the first step is always to admit you have a problem. After you’ve finished, and are completely reformed, resolve to increase your page rank purely through providing great content for your readers.

So tell me… how did you do?