Instead of using a long URL like http://www.blackhatworld.com/blackh...ewthread&f=00/newthread.php?do=newthread&f=00 can I just use my own URL shortening service and use the short URL when creating backlinks? The link that I'm trying to shorten doesn't have the same domain (i.e., the example link above will become http://swi7.ch/8gy) btw.
Yes. But they need to be 'proper' 301's... This article offers some useful insights: http://searchengineland.com/analysis-which-url-shortening-service-should-you-use-17204
Did you read the article above? It has a grid which shows which redirects use 301's. You also need to consider a URL shortening service that is well established; you don't want to spend a year building shortened URL's and find they've closed up shop! I generally stick to bit.ly; well established, well funded, and with good tracking features.
Yeah Bit.ly does have great tracking analysis but I view them as far from stable. Clickbank links are often rendered useless and the fact that they have a .ly extension makes them far from safe. They use the same links often and stats are skewed as a result. Personally I use Ttwi.st . It's a premium URL shortener which costs $5 a month but it is designed for IM'ers, allows Clickbank links, has tracking and an API. Further developments are also coming.
I'm trying to find a good link shortener that does not pass link juice. I want to use it for forum sigs and other places I really don't need a bunch of sh*tty backlinks from. Preferably one that provides statistics. Any good ones?
