Because of the grinding nature of linkbuilding, there are several tools (like LotusJump) that exist to automate aspects of the linkbuilding process. However, it’s widely acknowledged that automation can only take you so far before you’re required to get involved. However, what if that’s not the case? While it may be a slight case of apples to oranges, let’s take a look at how search engines do it.

Take Google for example. A user comes to Google with a human request, such as a question. Google takes that information and runs it through an algorithm that pulls data from an index that was created by another extremely complex algorithm. It then returns what the algorithm tells it was the best response to the input.

Now imagine taking that approach with linkbuilding. You give the engine some human information – the URL you’re building links to, and perhaps some keyword data. The engine goes out and looks at its index of sites, paying attention to both on-page and off-page indicators in order to determine each site’s value, personality, and niche. Then it returns a list of best matches, along with an algorithmically determined link request email for each result, complete with an algorithmically determined email scraped off the site, and some site-specific language. Then, all the user needs to do is accept the result and the software automatically sends. Far-fetched? Perhaps. But then again, an examination of how search technology has advanced is instructive and encouraging.

One gripe that will doubtless be made is that this is an imperfect system. The algorithm won’t always get it right. I contend, however, that while this may be the case, it’s much like a search engine. You don’t get the result you want every time you do a search, but it works often enough to make it worth it.

How big a role do you think automation will play in the future of SEO?