
Five Incredibly Useful Linky Tips For Bloggers
When I started my blog, I set up a Twitter account, and I messaged every blogger who followed me with the same question: “Have you got any advice for a newbie blogger like me?” Lots of answers came back, but there was one common idea that kept cropping up… join a linky!
Honestly, I had no idea what a linky was! – (If you’re not sure either, check out this post on “What is a linky party and why should I join one?“) – But once I worked out what to do, my stats shot through the roof (comparatively!)
Lots of bloggers join linky parties, but I know very few who utilise them to their full potential. I’m going to share 5 top tips with you and then break down exactly why and how this boosts your blog. I hope you find it helpful…
1. Find a linky that works for you
There are hundreds of linkies out there, and they’re all be slightly different – different times, different rules, different topics, different genres. So find the ones that work for you. Here are 6 linkies that I highly recommend (1 for each day of the week, and the last one is my own!)
Start with a few and see how you go. At my peak, I was joining 12 or more linkies every week!

THURSDAY: A Blogging Good Time
2. Be first on the list
I strongly believe the key to making the linky strategy work, is to be at the top of the list. And the only way to be at the top of this list is to add your link before other people do.
Find out what time your chosen linky opens (it will usually say somewhere on the page) and join as close to that time as possible. If you’re not a morning person, you’re going to struggle as most start accepting links at about 6:00am GMT. I can’t bring myself to get up quite that early, but at 6:30 every morning, you will find me, bleary-eyed, huddled in a blanket, peering at a computer screen.
Ah the glamourous life of a blogger!
But it’s worth it. If you’re at the top of the list, people see your post first when they’re trying to decide which ones they fancy reading.
Also, lots of people do their commenting when they add their own link. That means the earliest posts get a lot more comments because they’re the only ones available (i.e. linker 15 only has 14 posts to choose from so you have a 21% chance of being chosen, but linker 30 has 29 posts to choose from so you only have a 10% chance of being chosen)
BONUS TIP: Remember, you don’t have to do your commenting when you link up. I link up at 6:30am and then I come back at lunchtime to do my commenting. Get yourself at the top of the list and then do your commenting at a time that’s convenient for you.
3. Tweet the hosts
I think every linky I’ve joined has encouraged participants to tweet the hosts. Usually the linky has its own hashtag so you tweet the hosts your linked post and include the hashtag. I usually say something along the lines of:
Five Incredibly Useful Linky Strategy Tips For Bloggers – linked to #blogcrush with @lucy_at_home @naptimenatter https://lucyathome.co.uk/blogging/linky-tips-bloggers
The host will then retweet this to their followers. This advertises your post to a lot more people, and it increases your Twitter engagement stats (another thing companies are interested in).
4. Follow the rules
I’ll admit when I first started joining linkies, I saw commenting on other people’s blogs as nothing more than a necessary evil – the price to pay for getting people to leave comments on mine.
One or two people go further than this and blatantly ignore the rules. I will tell you now – this is NOT good blogger etiquette. We all have weeks when we accidentally mess up, but regular freeloaders risk being banned from the linky altogether.
Having said that, I’ve now grown to love my commenting time. Liare great because there are loads of interesting blog titles all in one place so you just find something that interests you. I’ve read posts that made me cry, made me laugh, taught me a new skill. And there is new stuff every week!
Crucially for your blog stats, though, commenting on other people’s blogs brings you exposure.
- When you comment, use your blog name (so I put “Lucy At Home”). Now everyone who reads the comments has heard of your blog
- If you write a really interesting comment, people sometimes click through to your site to find out more about you
- If you comment regularly on someone’s site, they begin to notice you, and may well go to your blog to reciprocate. I’ve done this lots of times
- Some blogs have the “comment luv” plug-in installed. This gives you a no-follow link back to your blog (if you don’t know what this is, don’t worry – just trust me that it’s good!)
BONUS TIP: A common linky rule is to comment on the blog linked up before you. If you’re planning to add 2 links to the blog hop, add your first post and then wait for someone else to add one before adding your second. Otherwise, you miss your guaranteed comment because the person before you is you!
5. Share, share, share
If you find a post that you enjoyed, share it. Most bloggers have sharing buttons installed on their blogs so, with one click, you can tweet the post or send it to Facebook.
This is a kind thing to do and is a great way to build relationships with other bloggers. Of course you should never share a post for the sole reason of wanting the other blogger to share something of yours, but you will often find that if you help other bloggers out, they will help you out. That’s one of the lovely things about blogging.
So I hope you’ve found these ideas helpful. How many are you doing at the moment? Are there any ideas here that you’ve not considered before? Have you got any other link strategy tips that bloggers would find helpful? Please leave your feedback below.
[…] Joining linky parties is a great way to bring traffic to your blog and get yourself noticed. This is my beginners guide to linky parties. If you already know the basics, pop over to Five Incredibly Useful Linky Tips For Bloggers. […]
My blog has really taken off since I started joining link ups, ad there are some really good tips here.
http://www.vanityandmestyle.com
I’m glad you found it helpful, Laurie. I think link ups are a great way to get your blog “out there”
Thank you for this post. I have to say that my biggest pet peeve is when people link but they never share. They think we don’t notice but when a post follows yours and theny are supposed to share/comment and they don’t, it puts a damper on the good time just a bit. #BlogCrush
Oh I know – that is so frustrating. I just can’t understand why people join and don’t follow the rules. I’ve become even more aware of this since hosting #blogcrush. It’s just so unfair on everybody else. Grrr!
A great post, especially for those starting out and are thinking what on earth is a linky??? Reading the other posts is my favourite part for sure. I need to follow your example with the early linking as mine often get swamped in the middle. #blogcrush
Yeah it’s a great way to find interesting things to read. I love that there’s a whole selection and so you can choose whatever takes your fancy.
I love joining Linky’s. It can be time consuming but it’s a great way of finding new posts that you love! So great tips here so of which I never thought of myself! #BlogCrush
I’m glad you found it useful, m’dear 🙂
Great tips. I know it’s good to get on the top of the list but honestly, I’m not getting up in the middle of the night or the early morning to put my link on, no way do I take any devices to the bedroom! You’ll see my adds about half way down usually. Commenting is great, I do as much as I can, I love it. It is also a fantastic way to get to know other bloggers. I do love a good linky and I love your post, it’s so informative.
#bblogcrush
Yes I totally understand the “no devices” thing. But it is helpful to be as near the top of the list as possible. I’m glad you found the post informative.
Thanks for this, it’s only recently the tip about posting one, then waiting to post the second to maximise commenting has dawned on me! I try to get in early but need to be earlier!
#BlogCrush
Love this post. I really love linkies. I’d say that 95% of the blogging women I have met and have a friendship with now were met from the interactions we had during a link-up. That’s been the absolute best thing about them! And if you don’t follow the rules, you don’t have much chance of interacting like that! Also thanks for the linky list! #BlogCrush
Oh yes absolutely – it’s a great way to meet other bloggers. All my closest blogging buddies I have met through linkies too.
Great tips … thanks for sharing. #blogcrush
This is really useful, I’m still quite new to blogging & linkys are a whole new world!! Must start getting up early to add to the lists! #BlogCrush
Haha it’s hard getting up even earlier than you need to, but in my opinion, it’s worth it. And you don’t need to do all the commenting and stuff then. Just add your link and then pop back later to actually browse and take part
Some good Tips. I don’t think I could do a linky a day, I’d be so worried I’d forget to comment and be linky black listed. When I started blogging I was really intimidated by them, they seemed so difficult! #blogcrush
Haha. I started off doing 1 a week and it grew and grew. At once point I was probably closer to 15 a week, but I’ve cut back a lot since hosting #blogcrush as that takes up a lot of my time. They’re good fun, and there are some linkies that I miss joining.
This is a great list for new bloggers! I love linkys (that’s why I started one with you obviously!) And I definitely agree you should share a post as well as comment if you have enjoyed it. I also link up as early as I can and then come back and comment later on. I never thought to wait to add my second link so there’s someone before me, thanks for that one!xx #BlogCrush
Hehe *high five* my lovely #blogcrush co-host 😀
Some great tips. I always make sure someone else links up between my posts. I also second the trying to join early. You’re so right about putting your blog name in the ‘name’ box. I don’t do that but it’s so sensible. Thanks for teaching me a new tip!
Also people who link and run drive me MAD! I forgive an accident but you see the same people on some linkys so you start to spot repeat offenders. If someone routinely never reads when they should do, I avoid linking after them and never read their posts. I would rather give my time to others. #BlogCrush
Yes it’s so annoying when people don’t hold up their end of the bargain. I avoid them too. Plus, I really enjoy reading and commenting on people’s blogs – you find all kinds of interesting things and learn more about people from different walks of life, AND it’s made me a better writer too as I’ve picked up bits and bobs from how other people write. Thanks for commenting, Angela.
Linky parties are such an amazing way to connect to the bloggign community and move traffic. I included a whole chapter on them in my book because they are such an important part of blog growth.
Wow I didn’t know you had written a book. I’d love to know more about it. What is it called?
SUCH a useful post. Thanks for this. I follow most of these ‘rules’ too…
Linkies are time-consuming, but so worth it! A great way to discover new blogs, get discovered and share the bloglove.
#BlogCrush
Hi Lucy, I’m excited to have joined in your Blog Crush linky this week. I enjoyed these tips, especially number 3. I’m still trying to get the hang of using Twitter…but once I do, I’ll probably figure out how to tweet the hosts well…right? #blogcrush
Ah I’m so glad you managed to link up with #blogcrush this week, Paula. If you’ve got any questions, I’ll do my best to help out if I can
Great tips on Linky parties! And thank you for also hosting a pretty cool new one! xo #BlogCrush
Ah I’m so glad you like our idea for the linky and it’s great that you’ve become a regular over there 🙂
Joining linkies made such an incredible difference to my blogging routine and it literally opened up the gates to Blogland for me! I’ve met so many brilliant bloggers this way (your lovely self included) and these tips are brilliant. It took me forever to work out that I ought to wait a bit between linking two of my own posts up haha. Thanks for hosting #blogcrush xx
I totally agree – linkies are such a great way to get to know other bloggers. Thanks for commenting. L
Thank you for this. I’ve only recently joined a few linkies, and am still learning, so I really appreciate this. 🙂 x #blogcrush
Ah I’m really glad you found it helpful, Charlene 🙂
Thank you for this post. I’m new to blogging and one of my goals for this month is to really work on my networking with bloggers and getting more involved in the blogging world in general. Do you have any tips on how to stay organised with linkys and joining them etc?
Ah sorry – I’ve only just seen this. I think everyone organises themselves differently but personally, I only join a linky if I know I will have the time to do the commenting that day. So I join a Tuesday one because I know that my tuesday nights are pretty quiet. I add my link in the morning, and then I go back and do all my commenting on the tuesday evening. That way I’m not trying to remember which ones I’ve joined because I always do the commenting on the day that I join. I hope that makes sense (sorry it was a bit rambly!)
Great tips! I am a late commenter too! Can’t do everything in one go! #blogcrush
Well I think one of the nice things about blogging is that you can fit it around your life; so do what you can, when you can. As long as you do your commenting before the linky opens again the following week, I don’t think it’s a problem
This is the best post I’ve read so far on linkys! I’m new to blogging and finding it difficult to get my blog out there! I’ve joined a couple linkys before (the Tuesday and Friday ones on your list) and I did find it helpful to my blog plus I enjoyed it then kids work and life took over again… I’m going to try to do it more regularly. Love the visual of you up at 6am linking up, lol! Thank you for writing this post!
Aaah I’m so glad to hear that this post has been so helpful to you. That’s put a big smile on your face (plus I’m glad that since writing this, you’ve been linking up with #blogcrush! Hurray!) It’s hard when, as mamas, we’re trying to balance blogging and family life. I think it’s important to set your boundaries and stick to them (I am speaking to myself here too – blogging is one of those things that will take over your entire life if you let it! Haha)
Thanks for including Brilliant Blog Posts, I love hosting linkies and reading such diverse and superbly written content as well as watching more video content on there too.
You’re very welcome, m’dear! You know Brilliant Blog Posts is one of my favourite linkies; there’s a much wider range of posts on there compared to the other linkies I join which makes for a nice change. Plus, it has a very lovely host too! 😉
….. Just popping back to say thank you for including #Dreamteam in your list too lovely! I should have said that earlier and can’t believe I didn’t? How very rude of me!? Big hugs xx
Hehe you’re welcome, lovely. DreamTeam has been a firm favourite for a long time 🙂
Great tips! I find linkys really useful for getting my blog out to new audiences and finding new blogs to read. Another tip I’d suggest is making sure you have a relevant image and a good title for your post to encourage people to click on it when they’re scanning through the list of posts. #DreamTeam
Oh yes this is a really good tip. I think joining linkies has definitely forced me to up my game in the photo and title department – you need something that is going to grab attention and make you stand out from the other posts that are in the line up. Thanks for adding this!
This is a great post; I could have done with read in something like this about 3 months ago haha!! His’ll be great for anyone new to blogging #DreamTeam
Oh dear, excuse my poor typos – I’ve been relegated to my phone this morning while Mr C works from home *sigh*
Haha it’s a nightmare trying to do blogging stuff on your phone, isn’t it! I feel your pain! Haha
I’m only on this linkup after reading your blog post elsewhere and learning about this wonderful world so thankyou so much. I lost the original post so couldn’t say thankyou then
Ahh it’s so nice of you to let me know. I’m glad I’ve been able to introduce to this new world and I hope that you really enjoy it (I know I do!)
As a relatively new user of linkies I find this post really useful, thankyou! #brillblogposts
Oh I’m so glad you’ve found it useful. L
Great tips. I love linkies and they were the main way I grew my blog at the start.
#DreamTeam
Yeah me too – they’re a great way to get your foot in the door.
Brilliant tips Lucy! I am still relatively new to the so-called blogosphere, and although I’ve joined many linkies, I never clicked that having my post at the top of the list could help. That said, I’m not going to get up at dawn to link up, mornings are busy enough as it is. I will definitely try out some of the linkies you mentioned though. 😉
#ablogginggoodtime
I’m glad you’ve found it helpful. Those early mornings are a killer! Haha
SO good I’ve visited 3 times now! 😉 Thanks so much again for the mention and for linking with us at #DreamTeam xx
Popping back for #ablogginggoodtime. This is really such a useful post xx
[…] This is a linky with a difference so please check out the rules below. Somehow we’ve had an odd number of link-ups for the last few weeks, which shouldn’t really happen if everyone is following the rules. Feel free to tweet me if you have any questions You can also check out this post for general info about linky parties. […]
Great tips. I really struggled when I started to find linkies where I would actually get comments back and sometimes I still do. I stick to a few now and make sure to comment on as many as I can. I totally agree you need to be in there quick to get the comments back though (ps apologies on my late comment this week) #blogcrush
Yeah I definitely found that different linkies gave me different amounts of comments, even if I was in a similar position on the list. I guess a lot depends on the genre of the posts that are linked because if they’re similar to the stuff that you write, chances are those people will be interested in your content too and click through to you. I think a lot of it is trial and error to find a linky that works for you. I think it also helps to link up to the same ones regularly because you get to know the other linkers and, if they like your stuff, they’ll click on you again.
To paraphrase Kingsman, Manners Maketh the Blogger. Find some linkys that work for you, play by the rules and share the love! In any community you get back what you put in and if you put nothing in, you won’t get anything back. Great post 🙂
Absolutely!
Yes yes yes to all of this – great advice! Thank you for linking up to #ablogginggoodtime
Thank you!
Great tips. I tend to join in with the ones I enjoy. I’ve tried a few some have stuck and others haven’t. #ablogginggoodtime
Yeah I think a lot of it is trial and error. “Shop around” and see which ones you like 🙂
These are all fab tips and I hope those who don’t follow the rules read this too! We are all in this together and helping each other will stand out and will help you in the end too. #ablogginggoodtime
Yes exactly! You only get out what you put in
These are really good tips, since i’ve hosted a linky I now have a whole new sense of respect for those bloggers who actually follow the rules as there is so much hard work to host one and to police anyone who choose to ignore the blogging etiquette is just making it harder and less enjoyable for the participants! #ablogginggoodtime
Oh yes I’m totally with you on this. I hate having to police our linky but it’s just not fair on the other linkers if some people aren’t playing by the rules. But it just feels so horrible to have to start calling people out on it. If you aren’t prepared to take part properly, then don’t join in – simple! Thankfully it does seem to only be a tiny minority, though – I think most bloggers are really great and sharing and promoting each other
I’ve been joining linkies for months and never really understood what was going on. I shall bookmark this. Thank you!
I’m so glad you found the post useful, Janet
I do one or two linkies a day and always do my commenting later when I can sit down and properly reply #ablogginggoodtime
I think that’s the best way. I don’t want to leave rushed comments so that I can be out the house on time in the morning. I like to set aside some proper time where I can properly enjoy the posts and give some real thought into the comments I leave
[…] IMPORANT NOTICE: There have been a few people only adding posts from their own site. This isn’t really in the spirit of the #blogcrush linky. Please, please, PLEASE make sure you’re following the linky rules or it spoils it for everyone. Wendy and I don’t want to be the blog police – it makes us sad! If you’re unsure, please tweet me You can also check out this post for general info about linky parties. […]
[…] me wrong – these posts have their place, and can be very helpful. (I’ve even written my own on how to get the most out of linky parties). But they can also put a lot of pressure on bloggers by implying that breaking the rules will doom […]
[…] IMPORANT NOTICE: There have been a few people only adding posts from their own site. This isn’t really in the spirit of the #blogcrush linky. Please, please, PLEASE make sure you’re following the linky rules or it spoils it for everyone. Wendy and I don’t want to be the blog police – it makes us sad! If you’re unsure, please tweet me You can also check out this post for general info about linky parties. […]
This is great advice. Thanks. I’m new to all this and I will get up early.
This is really helpful, thank you! I’m pretty new to blogging but do enjoy the linky parties 🙂 I notice on some that I don’t really get many comments though, so I’ll try to alter the time that I add my link.
[…] So bloggers, the next time you’re offered money (or a product / service) for a follow link, please think carefully. You’re giving someone a leg up who hasn’t earned it. They are using your hard work and effort to artificially boost their own presence. They are taking advantage of your organic rise to the top, that you’ve earned through publishing great posts and joining in with the blogger community. […]
Such a great list of tips! I have to admit when I first did a linky I didn’t get it and all the commenting on other blogs felt like too much work but now I have come to realise all the value of them and you’ve given me even more helpful tips, so thanks ! I need to get that comment luv plugin I think, love your linky btw.
Really useful. Although I dont know how I’ll ever get myself organised to be near the top of a link list. I do love reading and commenting on other blogs so I tend to scan through all of them. Sometimes I start from the bottom and work up in case I run out of time!
[…] love! If you are unsure what a Linky is or are new to blogging, read this very useful post over at Lucy at Home. If you are unsure how to join this link party read this very informative post by Becky over at […]
Excellent advice, in fact, I’ve just implemented one of the tips on your most recent linky post…added my blog title as well as my name, can’t believe I’ve not thought to do this before!!
thank you, uhhh looks like I may have to start getting up somewhat earlier 🙂 – great tips!
I’ve been working hard to recruit new readers to the two linkys I host, I may need to write a post about why people should be tagging non-blogging friends to stop by a linky!
such a newbie when it comes to things like this. Sooo late to the party…in all ways