Yahoo Answers Links Not Working

February 8th, 2008 by Loren Baker, Editor | 7 Comments

Links inserted into Yahoo Answers discussions by its users have not been working recently, according to some webmaster forums and a post at the Yahoo Answers blog.

As you may have already discovered, the url links posted on Answers are currently not clickable. We are working to fix the problem and we don’t yet have an estimate on when it will be done. Sorry for the inconvenience - we will keep you posted.

Do Yahoo Answers Links Have Value?

Links from Yahoo Answers use a NoFollow attribute which blocks the flow of Google PageRank or link value from the Yahoo.com domain to the sites listed by Yahoo Answers users as a quality control method, however there is much value to links beyond PageRank.

Since Yahoo Answers is a high authority site, the Q&A sessions are indexed in many search engines and searchers find these listings in search results. The end effect is clicking to the Answers page which then lists the user generated link as a resource. Meaning that the SEO effect may not be direct, but the search effect of having those high traffic discussions and links exist is a major plus.

These links from Yahoo Answers drive highly targeted traffic and ultimately, conversions. So, the links being down can effect some businesses, trainers or consultants.

Barry at Search Engine Roundtable points to some discussions in Digital Point Forums and Webmaster World about the issue of Yahoo Answers linkage.

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Comments

7 responses so far ↓

Devin T. on Feb 8, 2008 at 11:12 am

I was wondering if they were just ticked off at the answerers for putting up their personal links all the time and decided to take down the feature.

I never thought of all the indirect traffic! Thanks for that insight!

Sincerely,
Devin T.
VestRite Internet Practices
Olga on Feb 8, 2008 at 11:51 am

I agree that the links should work in terms of traffic, but also one should not forget about the “anchor text” in those links (even though they are with a noffolow attribute).
Goran Giertz - Website Marketing on Feb 8, 2008 at 12:48 pm

All sites have problems. I am sure they would sort it out. Especially if it generates business for its customers.
Loren Baker, Editor on Feb 8, 2008 at 12:49 pm

Good point Olga, search engines like Yahoo still identify new sites to add to their index even if NoFollow is used in links and Ask.com totally ignores NoFollow :)
Sushubh on Feb 8, 2008 at 1:46 pm

yahoo answers when i last tried was full of stupid people with spammy links.
Michelle MacPhearson on Feb 9, 2008 at 6:32 am

Yahoo answers shows at the top of search results for many keywords and is absolutely worthwhile adding your link and *helpful* answer to. If your answer is picked by the questioner as the “best” then it, with your link, will appear at the top of the page as well for eternity.

Re: nofollow - Is often ignored by the SE’s. I’ve had sites INDEXED, no other incoming links, from Yahoo Answers alone.

And, click through traffic can be awesome. This is dependent on your providing a very useful but somehow incomplete answer so that visitors are enticed to click your “Source” link to find out more info.

Sure, it’s got spammy stuff - so does Blogspot or Wordpress.com. What other people do is totally irrelevant. Provide good content & people will follow your link trail.
Loren Baker, Editor on Feb 10, 2008 at 9:49 pm

Sunday update folks, links in Yahoo Answers are working again :)

http://www.searchenginejournal.com/yahoo-answers-links-are-working-again/6351/