If you read any search engine optimization blogs you probably have noticed nearly every one of them has said something about “linkbait” within the past few days. So what exactly is this linkbait?

Linkbait is content which attracts links — plain and simple. I’ve talked about it before, but not using those words. A very expensive example: MyHeritage.com’s free face recognition tool. A not-so-expensive example: FamilyMediaGuide.com counting the number of expletives on Stern’s first Sirius broadcast.

I’ve tried my own hand at linkbait on this blog from the Googlegini to interviewing the semi-famous.

So whats the big deal about linkbait anyways? People are just realising that sometimes the most powerful”trick” to have up your sleeve is no trick at all. Publishers, bloggers, and users want to read, hear, and see cool stuff. Linkbait isn’t just novelty eyecandy — it includes real content too.

Businesses have been doing the same thing for years with press releases. Reporters don’t care about press releases that read like a transcript from a late night infomercial — reporters follow up on press releases with real stories behind them.

Bottom line, focus on making a damn good site and the links will follow. It just doesn’t hurt to let other bloggers or site owners know when you publish that “linkbait.”