Industry guru Dave Taylor offers tech support on technical and business topics, including iPhone, iPod, Microsoft Windows, Sony PSP, cellphones, online advertising, CSS, Web design, business, Unix, Linux, SEO, Mac OS X, and shell script programming.     


What is Google Related Links?

I just bumped into something called "Google Related Links" and don't know much about it or how I can add it to my Web site (or whether I should). Can you explain what it's about, why I might add it to my site and how I'd do so?


Dave's Answer:

Great question! Google Related Links is one of the "experimental" projects out of Google Labs and it's a pretty cool idea that's a riff on something that you commonly find in add-on toolbars: a set of tabs that let you easily allow your visitors to see related sites, popular searches related to the current page, and so on.

Since it's only in an experimental stage right now, however, they're asking that you only place Google Related Links on sites with less than 10,000 hits/day. I asked why and they shared:

"If your network of sites receives over 10,000 page views daily, we may discontinue serving related searches, news, and links to your units without notice. Should this occur, unfortunately it won't be possible to easily reactivate the units.

"We'd therefore strongly recommend that you implement the units on your sites in such a way that the combined maximum page views doesn't exceed 10,000 daily. This might involve showing fewer units, only showing on some of your pages, or only showing them part of the day. We understand that this is inconvenient, and we thank you for your understanding in this matter."

Enough disclaimer, however, let's have a look and I'll just hope that this page doesn't get more than 10,000 visitors in a day. :-)

Google Related Links is clearly inspired by Google AdSense, as becomes clear when you go to the Related Links Setup Area. First up, you need to pick a size from the choices shown:

Google Related Links: Choose Size

Next, select the type of links you'd like to have included in your "related links" box:

Google Related Links: Choose Link Type

I'll select all of the above, but change the default tab to have select be "News" rather than Searches (one of the three pop-up options).

Now it's time to pick a color scheme, or, at least a predominant color:

Google Related Links: Choose Colors

Finally, just as you would with AdSense, you have a box where you need to then copy and paste the JavaScript code that makes Google Related Links work:

Google Related Links: Get Code

When you're done, just paste the code block into your page and hopefully it'll just magically work. Here's what happens when I paste the code into this very page:

So that's the Google Related Links concept. Very cool, in my opinion, but let's now spend a minute considering if it's something you should add to your site. I think there are two things to consider: on the positive side, anything that helps your visitors find valuable information on the Internet is a plus. On the negative side, however, you should always think carefully before you send someone away from your own pages, particularly if you're running a commercial site or online store.

Ultimately, I'll let you make your own judgment on this, but I will say that if you do want to have a valuable information-based site, this is a pretty slick new option that can help you stand out from the crowd, and "free" is always a good pricetag.

Hope that's helpful and good luck to you!


Tip: If you haven't explored Google's AdSense program and learned how it can help you turn your money-losing Web site into a potential revenue source, I encourage you to check out Getting Started with Google AdSense.


More Useful HTML, JavaScript and Web Site Programming Articles:
✔   How to Create Predefined Google Image Search Links?
Thanks for the Amazon URL [see Creating Amazon Search Links]. That worked beautifully. In fact, I sent you $5.00 for coffee in thanks....
✔   Can I embed a Facebook search box on my blog site?
I've seen your articles about how to add a Twitter or Google search box on a Web page, but I have a tougher...
✔   Can I use CSS for drop shadows on my blog?
I want to give my site a bit of a facelift and add some neat graphical elements. One of which is drop shadows....
✔   How can I embed interactive photo panoramas on my site/blog?
I read through your blog entry about how to take panoramic photos with iOS 6 and an iPhone 5 and got enthused. I've...
✔   How can I create a Twitter search URL shortcut?
I'd like to add a few Twitter search links to my Web site. Is that possible, or does Twitter prohibit this sort of...

Let's stay in touch!
Sign up for my weekly AskDaveTaylor Newsletter and you'll receive even more tech and gadget help right to your inbox, along with exclusive news and industry updates. It's good stuff. I promise!
    Enter your name: and your email addr:  








Reader Comments To Date: 1

James Hon said, on May 5, 2006 6:44 AM:

Hi
My movie site is all about info and so google links may be a good additon. But wont this decrease ad revenue by people clicking on related links rather than ads?

Starbucks coffee cup I do have a lot to say, and questions of my own for that matter, but first I'd like to say thank you, Dave, for all your helpful information by buying you a cup of coffee!

I do have a comment, now that you mention it!











I will never send you any unsolicited email. Ever.






Check This Out Too...

 
Look for Answers
Need Help? Ask Dave Taylor!


Follow Me on Pinterest

Find Me on Google+
ADT on G+
© 2002 - 2013 by Dave Taylor. All Rights Reserved.

Note: This web site is for the purpose of disseminating information for educational purposes, free of charge, for the benefit of all visitors. We take great care to provide quality information. However, we do not guarantee, and accept no legal liability whatsoever arising from or connected to, the accuracy, reliability, currency or completeness of any material contained on this web site or on any linked site. Further, please note that by submitting a question or comment you're agreeing to my terms of service, which are: you relinquish any subsequent rights of ownership to your material by submitting it on this site. My lawyer says "Thanks".
"Ask Dave Taylor®" is a registered trademark of Intuitive Systems, LLC.