When it comes to Search Engine Optimization (SEO), maintaining “link popularity” can drastically change how search engines find and list your website for the mass of potential visitors who are searching for an exciting site like yours. Simply put, your link popularity is the number and quality of incoming links that point directly to your site. This is a major factor that search engines evaluate when deciding whether your website is worthwhile and relevant to Web visitors.

The quality of your content is extremely essential – it’s not just about the number of SEO keywords or artificial links to increase your online traffic numbers. The search engines require links from authoritative sites, or relevant sites that share the same focus as your blog. Link-building can be complicated. Here are eight simple link-building tips to help your blog legitimately increase link popularity.

1. Join a directory. Congratulations, you’ve already accomplished step one by joining OnTopList.com. By belonging to a directory, you’ve gained a global network, many of whom either write in your niche or are more likely to help you through cross-promotional opportunities.

2. Piggy-back off of high-ranked sites. If you do a search on your SEO keywords, you’ll get a glimpse of the top-ranked sites in your category. Contact the sites that do not directly compete with you, and build a link-exchange relationship where you can piggy-back off of their high rankings.

3. Contact the owners of related sites. Try to be selective when deciding who you want to exchange links with. Send a friendly solicitation e-mail to open communication, and be sure to give them a reason why the relationship would be mutually beneficial.

4. Trade articles or unique postings with interested parties. Is it a subject or news topic that related sites may find interesting? Often, you’ll find that news or commentary sites have sections to “share news or ideas” or “suggest a link.” This is the perfect chance to exchange fascinating stories or news that you have published with related websites.

5. Use social bookmarking sites to your advantage. Do you already have a DIGG or Delicious social bookmarking account? These sites allow you to bookmark and use tag keywords for your favorite Web links. Bookmark related sites in addition to your site’s entries, and the other users in your network may start consulting your links regularly, which could eventually lead them back to your website.

6. Rely on your own network of friends, family, and colleagues. Don’t leave out your existing network of friends, who know and like you already – and are the most likely to read, comment, and promote your site.

7. Write for online article sites. Lastly, there are numerous sites where anyone can be a published author – Helium.com, About.com, AssociatedContent.com, eHow.com, eZineArticles.com. It’s free to join, plus you’ll be able to write related advice and information to your site, and every one of your article includes your profile – which is where you can link users back to your pages. If you write an article related to a past entry, this is the opportunity to promote and link users to the topic at the conclusion of your article.

8. Write reviews and comments on other sites. If it’s applicable to your chosen niche, you can also write other types of online content in other sites. For instance, if you maintain a technology site, you may want to regularly write product reviews on Amazon.com, ePinions.com, and related sites. This will grow your presence as an expert in your niche, and provide another way to link new visitors back to your site.

If you have additional questions about how I can help your generate more links for your website and how important it is to helping your company receive more exposure online, please contact me and I will be more than happy to help. I can be reached at 208.598.0084 or matt.shifley@yahoo.com.