Link Reclamation

Definition

Link Reclamation is an SEO strategy where you find and fix or replace broken or lost inbound links to your website. These may be links that used to point to your site but due to URL changes, or errors, no longer do. By reclaiming these links, you can recover valuable link equity and improve your website's SEO performance.

Usage and Context

Link reclamation is commonly used in SEO to recover link value and maintain website authority. It involves identifying potential lost or broken links, contacting the webmasters of the sites where these links are located, and asking them to correct the link. This process is beneficial in cases where a website has undergone a redesign, a page has been deleted or a URL has been changed.

FAQ

1. What is link reclamation in SEO?

   • Link reclamation in SEO involves finding and fixing broken or lost inbound links to your website. It helps in recovering link equity, improving your site's SEO performance.

2. Why is link reclamation important?

   • Link reclamation is important because it helps recover lost link equity, which can improve your website's SEO performance. It can also help maintain your site's authority and trustworthiness in the eyes of search engines.

3. How can I perform link reclamation?

   • To perform link reclamation, start by identifying potential broken or lost links. You can use SEO tools to find these. Then, contact the owners of the sites where these links are and ask them to correct the link.

4. When should I consider link reclamation?

   • Consider link reclamation if your website has undergone significant changes like a redesign, URL changes, or page deletions. It's also worth considering if you notice a drop in traffic or search rankings, as this could indicate lost links.

5. Does link reclamation take a lot of time?

   • The time required for link reclamation can vary based on the number of broken or lost links, the responsiveness of the site owners you're contacting, and the tools you're using. It can be time-consuming, but it's often worth the effort for the potential SEO benefits.

Benefits

1. Traffic Recovery: Fixing broken or lost inbound links can help recover lost traffic, leading to more site visits and potentially more conversions.
2. Enhances User Experience: Users are less likely to encounter broken links, which can improve their overall experience on your website.
3. Future-proof SEO Strategy: Regular link reclamation can ensure your website's SEO remains robust against future changes or errors.
4. Improved SEO Performance: By reclaiming lost or broken links, you can recover valuable link equity, which can improve your site's search engine rankings.
5. Maintains Website Authority: Preserving established inbound links maintains your site's perceived authority and trustworthiness in the eyes of search engines.

Tips and Recommendations

1. Regular Audits: Perform regular audits to identify and fix broken links, preventing any potential harm to your SEO.
2. Use SEO Tools: Leverage SEO tools to streamline the process of finding and fixing broken or lost links.
3. Be Polite and Professional: When contacting site owners to fix broken links, be professional and courteous to increase your chances of success.
4. Keep Track: Keep a record of your link reclamation efforts to measure the impact and identify any trends or patterns.
5. Consider Redirects: If an old URL has numerous valuable inbound links, consider implementing 301 redirects to the new URL.

Conclusion

In conclusion, link reclamation is a valuable SEO strategy that involves finding and fixing broken or lost inbound links to your website. This process can help recover valuable link equity, improve SEO performance, maintain your website's authority, recover lost traffic, and enhance the user experience. With regular audits, the right tools, and a professional approach, link reclamation can form a key part of a robust SEO strategy.