Website and blog publishers that want to boost their traffic numbers are finding there's a new buzz word going around. "Linkbaiting" is the latest craze in tactics to drive traffic to websites. Whether it's good, bad or otherwise remains a matter of debate. The reality is, however, that some of the practices involved in linkbaiting are rather effective.

Although the word linkbaiting is new, the measures it defines are not. The term is used to categorize a variety of different methods publishers employ to gain incoming links to their websites or blogs. Some of the measures are thought to be quite reputable, but some are not. Examples of methods that fall under the linkbaiting definition include generating high-quality content that gains incoming links, creating contests and awards programs, crafting tools for other websites to use that happen to link back to one's site and even writing attack posts and comments about other sites.

While the word itself is gaining a bad reputation among web publishers, it is in and of itself, not necessarily a bad thing. Most web publishers want to gain incoming links to increase their own traffic. Doing so can be incredibly helpful for revenue potential. In fact, many SEO businesses are now offering linkbaiting services to help boost their clients incoming links. The simple fact of the matter is linkbaiting on its own isn't good or bad - it's all in how the measures are used.

The reasons why linkbaiting has become rather popular, despite its reputation, are many. The biggest is the traffic gains. If traffic gains are high enough, revenue potential tends to go up along with it. Making money on the Internet requires traffic. It's that plain and simple. Linkbaiting can increase traffic, so it's practiced. A secondary and also big motivational factor for linkbaiting centers on this method's ability to help raise page ranking status. When a site has more incoming links, it tends to rank higher.

Before diving into a linkbaiting campaign, it's a good idea for publishers to understand a few things. The first is that an increase in traffic is great for a website. The second is an increase in traffic that sends people to pages that are not useful, interesting or informative is not. For linkbaiting to really pay off, new traffic needs to be encouraged to return.

There are many different techniques that fall under the linkbaiting category. Some of the most common include creating tools for other websites to use that link back to yours, crafting surveys, quizzes and tests (people love these) that are fun and interesting, offering contests, writing a very unique and in-depth piece on a specific topic, creating awards programs and even adding interesting lists or humor to your blog or website. There are many other options to increase incoming links. Many of them, as you can see, just involve creating a fun, relevant or useful site.

Some of the more questionable means for boosting links might not make a site the most popular in the long haul. They include going for the shock factor, attacking other sites in post on your own site or even theirs, stirring up controversy and so on.

Linkbaiting itself is not really a bad word. Although the term can describe some methods few enjoy using, the idea behind the concept is a good one. Those who tend to do very well when using some of the practices are publishers that happen to offer something for a visitor's trouble in stopping by.

Locating a website owner who doesn't want to see an increase in traffic is something akin to finding a needle in a haystack. Increased traffic can equal more sales, more readers and more advertising revenue. Tapping into the power of long tail keywords has become the latest craze for making this happen, and rightfully so.

The theory behind long tail keyword comes from a Wired Magazine article in which Chris Anderson spoke of the benefits of catering to the minority. Rather than selling high-demand products, Anderson suggested that in going for niche items their collective sales could outperform more popular products. The theory translates quite nicely for website owners, as well.

Anyone who uses Internet search engines very likely already understands what long tail keywords are. These are nothing more than the phrases that people type into search engines to find sites that are more targeted to their needs. Rather than sending a searcher to a site that's rich with the most popular keyword, this type of search targets results. In essence, it sends people to the sites that fit their desired niche or need.

The idea here involves taking advantage of the way people actually use search engines when they want very specific information. Instead of landing on a site with cursory information about a topic, a user that inputs phrases is more likely to find sites that fit the specific need. A person looking for information on the cast for a specific television show, for example, might type in the show's name. Or, they might include the words "cast list," "cast and crew" or "actors in" for example. These particular terms generally don't have the competition for ranking that other search terms might. This means it might be easier for a site owner to obtain traffic based on the new keyword phrases.

Long tail keywords deliver on the benefits. These can, when used correctly, drive more targeted traffic over the long haul. The benefits of using long tail keywords include a potential for a higher conversion rate (since the exact focus of the searcher's request has been met), easier ranking on search engine sites, increased traffic and, consequently, increased revenue. Basically, the benefits come from tapping into a lot of different tailored searches, rather than trying to compete with thousands of other sites that focus solely on the main single-word keywords.

Understanding how long tail keywords work is one thing. Actually making them work for a website is another. There are a few ways to go about this.

There are tracking programs that can be used to help website owners and managers figure out the right long tail keywords to use for their sites. One popular tool is HitTail.com. The function of this program is to analyze a particular site and make suggestions on the phrases that would work best for it. It can be useful, but they don't always make the best, most detailed suggestions. With this in mind, some sites are optimized by using phrases typed in by visitors themselves when they use keyword research tools like Ad Word Analyzer software.

Other options for optimizing traffic with the right phrases exist. They include looking at the competition to see what long tail keywords they use and even just allowing a natural development to take place. The latter involves simply adding more content to a website on a regular basis, using core keywords and phrases as the backbone.

There are some basic steps involved in optimizing a website with long tail keywords. It all begins with looking at the competition and seeing what they do. Then, take a look at the possible long tail keywords that would work for an individual site. Develop content around those keywords. For example, create pages or posts, for bloggers, that include a keyword and a phrase in the title and within the body. It is often quite beneficial to make sure content is relevant, reads well and makes sense. In short, make it long tail keyword rich, but informative, as well.

Making a website go from an average performer to a leader can be done. It takes some time and effort, but long tail keywords can make all the difference in the world.