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.