Are Facebook links really helpful?

[SEObleu.com]

If they are no follow, how can I benefit?  If Google isn't using this data, than why would we bother to LIKE anyone or anybody?

[RyanKent]

Studies show information shared in social networks is valued by friends and others in the sharer's network. Whether you are sharing your experience about a cool new device, a restaurant or a great tax preparer, your friends and others in your network are likely to consider your personal share much higher then most other sources of information.

The REAL value is any link is not whether Google will see the link and give your site a 0.01 bump in rankings for the relevant search term. Instead the true value of a quality link is the direct, quality traffic your site would receive from the link.

Put the needs and wants of your site visitor's above all else. Then determine how you can benefit them and earn a profit from doing such. This business model is what makes Google so successful, and if you follow that model your company can climb to greatness as well. [If you are an anti-Google person, you probably don't love this analogy but you cannot argue Google is the most dominate player in their market].

[SEObleu.com]

thanks, with that said! It would be fair to say that "anchor text" in a FB link really doesn't matter.  What matters is the quality of the traffic to "XYZ.com". Then if the bounce is 99%, I would not see an bump in rank...OR bounce rate wouldn't apply here?

[RyanKent]

The value of anchor text varies as does the value of any link. With respect to a link which is crawlable by search engines, the anchor text helps associate the keyword with your webpage. Whether a link is crawlable on facebook varies based on privacy settings. Try logging out of facebook and then visiting the facebook URL which contains the link to your site. If you can see the link, so can search engines. In that case, the value of the anchor text can be applied in any algorithms.

On the other hand, if a link is not crawlable, anchor text can still have value for readers. Consider reading these two recommendations:

I was recently in Las Vegas and it was a fantastic trip! I had many memorable experiences including a chance to dine at my favorite Italian restaurant!

Next consider,

I was recently in Las Vegas and it was a fantastic trip! I had many memorable experiences including a chance to dine at my favorite Italian restaurant: http://www.mirage.com/restaurants/onda-ristorante.aspx

Both methods work, but the first appropriately uses anchor text and may arouse curiosity. What is the name of his favorite Italian restaurant? Whereas the second link is presented without the anchor text and you know the name is "Onda Ristorante".

My suggestion is Google and other search engines reward anchor text because it offers real value. Many of the things we do "because Google says so" is actually backwards. Google encourages site owners to adopt behaviors which Google has learned offers the highest value to consumers. Often site owners disagree, but Google has invested millions and billions into learning what consumers want, and they design their systems accordingly.

With respect to Bounce Rate, no one knows exactly how that metric is used in Google's algorithms. When a visitors clicks on a Google search result and visits your site, Google has a perfect picture of the bounce rate and likely considers it as a factor in determining ranking. If a visitor enters your site from facebook, Google still has a considerable amount of data if you use GA on your site. Google can also gather data from your Google Chrome browser, your Google WiFi network, etc. That data could be used to measure bounce rate as well, but again it is unclear how the process works exactly and what amount of weight is applied to bounce rate in the overall rankings.

My best recommendation is stop trying to figure out what Google wants but instead focus on what your user's want. You will be a step ahead of the game with this approach.

[SparkplugDigital]

Facebook Likes play a significant role in Bing search due to Facebook's partnership with Bing. When you use Bing and are logged into Facebook you see when your friends have Liked something in the search results which can strongly influence click through rate.

[SEObleu.com]

Great! thanks for all the info!  I guess my mentality needs a shift.  I get so focused on what google wants rather than the user.  I will start my day from that mind set today.

thanks