A sidebar link is a hyperlink placed in the sidebar section of a webpage, typically appearing on every page of a website. Sidebars commonly contain navigation menus, recent posts, categories, blogrolls, or widget areas where links can be placed.
How Sidebar Links Work#
Placement and Visibility#
Sidebar links appear in the vertical column alongside main content:
- Usually on the left or right side of pages
- Often repeated across multiple or all pages
- May contain navigation, resources, or promotional links
- Commonly found in blog and content site layouts
Common Sidebar Link Types#
Blogroll links: Lists of recommended sites Widget links: Links in sidebar widgets or plugins Resource links: Links to tools or related resources Sponsor links: Paid promotional placements Navigation links: Internal site navigation
SEO Impact of Sidebar Links#
Google's Treatment#
Google's algorithms have evolved to understand sidebar links:
Reduced weight: Sidebar links often carry less SEO value than in-content links Sitewide consideration: Google may count multiple instances as a single link Context evaluation: Relevance of the sidebar to main content matters User experience signals: How users interact with sidebar links affects value
The Reasonable Surfer Model#
Google's patent describes evaluating links based on likelihood of being clicked:
- Sidebar links may receive lower click probability scores
- Position and prominence affect assigned value
- Links buried in sidebars carry less weight than prominent ones
Sidebar Links vs Contextual Links#
Key Differences#
| Aspect | Sidebar Links | Contextual Links | |--------|---------------|------------------| | Placement | Side column | Within content | | Editorial context | Limited | High | | Click probability | Lower | Higher | | SEO value | Reduced | Higher | | Natural occurrence | Common | Most valuable |
Why Context Matters#
Contextual links within content:
- Have clear topical relevance
- Are more likely to be clicked
- Suggest editorial endorsement
- Pass more link equity
When Sidebar Links Are Acceptable#
Legitimate Uses#
Resource lists: Curated industry resources Partner links: Legitimate business partnerships Navigation: Helping users find related content Blogrolls: Editorial recommendations (less common now)
Natural Sidebar Links#
Natural sidebar links typically:
- Come from genuine relationships
- Serve user needs
- Aren't paid placements
- Appear on relevant sites
Sidebar Link Risks#
Potential Problems#
Sitewide links: Creating hundreds of links from one domain Link schemes: Paid sidebar placements for SEO Widget abuse: Links embedded in free widgets Irrelevant sites: Sidebar links from unrelated niches
Google's Guidelines#
Google has specifically addressed sidebar links:
- Widget links should use nofollow
- Paid sidebar placements need disclosure
- Manipulative sidebar link schemes violate guidelines
- Excessive sitewide linking appears unnatural
Best Practices for Sidebar Links#
If You're Getting Sidebar Links#
Prefer contextual: Ask for in-content placement instead Check relevance: Ensure the site is topically related Verify quality: Assess the linking site's authority Consider nofollow: May be more appropriate for sidebar placement
If You're Giving Sidebar Links#
Use nofollow: For paid or uncertain links Limit quantity: Don't create excessive outbound sidebar links Stay relevant: Only link to related, quality resources Review regularly: Audit sidebar links periodically
Sidebar Links in Modern SEO#
Declining Importance#
Sidebar links have become less important because:
- Search engines devalue them
- Users often ignore sidebars (banner blindness)
- Mobile-first indexing reduces sidebar visibility
- Contextual links are clearly more valuable
When They Still Matter#
Sidebar links can still provide value:
- Referral traffic from relevant sites
- Brand visibility
- Relationship building
- User navigation (internal links)
Summary#
Sidebar links are hyperlinks placed in webpage sidebars:
Key characteristics:
- Appear in side columns
- Often sitewide
- Lower SEO value than contextual links
- May be discounted by Google
Best practices:
- Prefer contextual links when possible
- Use nofollow for paid placements
- Focus on relevance and quality
- Don't rely on sidebar links for SEO
While sidebar links aren't inherently harmful, they're less valuable than editorial contextual links and should be approached carefully in link building.