I was doing some research into Fire Fox, and found some great screen shots of all the different operating systems Foxxy has been compiled for. When I saw these, my first thought was "Wow! Linux looks exactly like Windows these days! They copied the whole user interface." So I wrote a blog post to share my observation and my amazement at it. I kind of thought this might be a good thing, since it shows Linux is moving from having to type gzhstrb in a command prompt to defrag your hard disc to, you know, things that make sense. Copying Windows makes Linux more accessible, to the point that I might try it some day.

I had no idea what would follow. This honestly didn't seem like link bait to me, especially when my busiest day so far had seen 138 visitors. I got 380 unique visitors in the next 2 hours. I made WordPress.com hot posts list. And apparently some Linux only version of Slashdot. (You can check the trackback the hot posts sent me!)

Now in retrospect it makes sense that if you write anything about Linux compared to Windows they'll come in droves to see what you're saying about their baby. And I guess this follows the "be controversial" advice. But it was really just my "wow!" reaction, and having a blog to be able to express these things.

So - does anybody else notice that the best link bait happens when you're not trying to bait links?

Oh, and the post is Linux Looks Just Like Windows if you want to see it.

You'll find the same thing in any area where people are passionate.

Anything negative about apple (and their products) will do something similar, especially if you talk about how whacked a one-button mouse is.

Also, so called meta-posts about social network sites. My post on DZone about DZone is the top for the last 30 days and in the top ten for the last year (it wasn't meant as link bait but, as a real discussion).

Looking at Digg, the most popular posts tend to be about digg itself.

Politics is another big area where this happens but, more hit or miss.

BTW, you don't have to defrag your hard drive with Linux, the file system is more intelligent

My spamibaits have that quality, although more with StumbleUpon than anything. I write them to be controversial, but I also write them to be insightful and eye-opening.

Content really does work for "social media optimization". (Tell that to the so-called SMOs out there who formed a garbage industry off of Digg exchanges.)

Congrats John. I have found sometimes that posts I didn't think would do anything end up being popular and gaining traffic and links.

One question about your post. Have you picked up links or just traffic so far? Linkbait does imply links, which usually follow after the initial traffic.

I've been seeing different people come into that post from a handful of different sources, so I must be collecting links. Although when I try the ever so accurate link:query in Big Daddy G, it shows nothing. So either they aren't quality SEO links, or Google is playing coy with me. Both the Tux site and WordPress.com's hot posts section have sent more than 200 unique visitors, so I'm thinking they must have enough links pointing their way to send some juice my way.

But I guess I'll have to return with that info. I'm guessing it would take a few days for links to show up in Google and in my WP dash?

It could take a little while until you see the links. Don't bother with the link: command on Google, though, Try Yahoo or if you have an account at Webmaster Central use that. It'll still take a little while to see the links, but it does sound like you're getting them.

Yeah, you're right about that. Best link bait happens when you're not trying to bait links? And it seems like it's really a good post.. Good job on that...