How to Bookmark: The Realities of Social Bookmarking

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By Tima Vlasto
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Social Bookmarking

Do you wonder what happens when you click those social bookmarking buttons under your articles? Is it a mystery to you how some people’s bookmarks get top rankings? Are you thinking this is just some SEO trick to drive traffic to your article or blog magically? Let’s review some of the basics and realities of social bookmarking.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Step 1

What is bookmarking? Bookmarking is saving the sites you like in one place so you don’t need to remember the URL. We do this in our browsers when we “add” to favorites. Social bookmarking is when you save your favorite URL’s or bookmarks on a website like Digg, Reddit or StumbleUpon to remember and SHARE (remember this) with others in a social network.
Step 2

Many webmasters try to increase traffic to their sites by writing articles or blogs that can be submitted to these social bookmarking sites. Ehow writers are also encouraged to submit their articles to social bookmarking sites. The truth is though, that clicking “SUBMIT” is not enough.
Step 3

RANKING MATTERS-
Traffic to your site or article from these social bookmarking sites usually occurs only if you make the front page or first few pages of the site. This high ranking usually doesn’t last for long. It may not last for more than a day.
In order for your bookmark to get ranked, you need either to get diggs, points or thumbsup etc…
Step 4

TIMING MATTERS-
If you submit your bookmark in the middle of the night, when all of your friends or followers (Twitter) are asleep and you get no immediate points or ranking for your bookmark; it will not drive traffic to your article.
Step 5

TITLE or HEADLINE MATTERS-
When you submit your bookmark, you are asked to submit a title. This doesn’t necessarily mean you have to submit the exact article title. Actually, you need to submit a title that will attract the attention of your social network; so make it interesting. Also, include a great description or first paragraph and make it attention-getting.
Step 6

RESPECT THE WEBSITE’S CONTENT-
Not all social bookmarking sites are the same. Some lean towards political subjects (Digg), socializing (MySpace, Facebook) or unique interests (Twitter, StumbleUpon, Clipmarks). You can’t expect an article about “boiling an egg” to make the front page of Digg; though if the site has cool graphics or humor about “boiling eggs”, StumbleUpon or Clipmarks may pick it up.
Step 7

What can you do if your articles are about boiling eggs or you can’t even find a category to place them in these bookmarking sites?
Make the most of the “social” aspect of these social bookmarking sites.

The original intention of social networking and bookmarking was to create a community before it became a SEO trick to drive traffic. Create a profile. Search the site and digg, thumbs up and bookmark websites, blogs and articles you like (not just yours). If possible get a friend to submit your article so it doesn’t look as if you are spamming the site.
Step 8

Remember you are creating an identity and reputation for finding great bookmarks from all over the Internet. This will encourage others to eventually follow your newer bookmarks.

The moment you submit, make sure some of your friends are online, so your bookmark gets a chance to be seen on the front page by other users who don’t know you. When your friends submit bookmarks, make comments and reply to the comments made to your bookmarks as soon as possible.
Step 9

These websites are communities. When someone moves into the community and expects us to support them or is there only to manipulate the community for profit; it doesn't really go over well. Maybe in our physical world we can just move in somewhere and take what we can get, but in the warp speed Cyberspace community; participation counts.