Link jacking is a method used to redirect a user from finding online content from one website to another. The practice may be used to positive or negative effect.
How does link jacking work?
Essentially, link jacking is often accomplished by copying content from one website and posting it onto another website such as an aggregator website. As a result, traffic is redirected to the aggregator website instead of the original website. An aggregator website collects content from all over the internet and consolidates it in one place to make it easier for users to access like Reddit or news aggregation sites like Apple News.
There are many good quality news aggregator websites that digital marketers use for SEO purposes.
Positive uses of link jacking
When link jacking is implemented in the right way, it can be beneficial to smaller websites and help drive traffic. For example, a larger website may link jack content from a smaller website, such as an interesting article or blog post, and provide backlinks to the original article. Since larger websites get more web traffic, this drives referrals to the smaller original site. The smaller website gains more exposure and publicity, which is beneficial for SEO. Therefore, as long as the website or user link jacking gives credit to the original source, the process is mutually beneficial. It is essentially a win-win situation under these circumstances.
Negative uses of link jacking
Aggregator websites are not malicious by design. However, since positive link jacking relies on giving credit to sources, it isn’t difficult to see where problems may arise.
Unfortunately, some websites are created without any original content whatsoever. Instead, they have an entire database copied from existing content on the Internet. Once a user arrives at the aggregator site, income is generated from click-on ads featured on the platform. These websites commonly do not provide backlinks to the original sources. If they are successful in accumulating traffic, they divert attention away from the original content. This will of course negatively impact the original websites and content creators. It some cases, it may lead the user to erroneously believe that the aggregator is the creator of the content, increasing the aggregator’s reputation at the cost of the true content creator.
Final thoughts on link jacking
Link jacking can be highly beneficial when practiced responsibly but result in losses when abused. Although link jacking abuse is not a cyber security threat, it can take valuable traffic away from an organization’s website and content. It can even mislead users on who the content creator is.
Businesses can get a security assessment from Sangfor to identify whether they are falling victim to such abuse or any other cyber security weaknesses. Get in touch with a specialist at Sangfor to learn more about our wide range of cyber security solutions and protect your business.
