One part of the Linkdex platform that helps our users rank higher is an SEO project management system that helps people to get more done. Part of defining this part of the product I researched productivity and came across an equation that tried to explain why some people get lots done and some procrastinate.

The equation is as follows.

Motivation to Complete a Task =

Expectation of Success x Value of Completing The Task
Delay In Completing Task x Impulsiveness

To add some colour to this great equation I decided I’d apply it to link building. And to make my thoughts easier to illustrate I’m going to add a scale of 1 – 10 to each of the elements contained within the equation with 1 being low and 10 being high.

So first I’d like to start with an obvious statement. The equation tells me that I’m more likely to like to build high quality links if I think the chances of success are high and I am not impulsive (make up my mind quickly, don’t think about the consequences of my actions, act on the spur of the moment).

My motivation to build a high quality editorially based link (8 out of possible 100) =

Chances of success (8) x Value of completing task (8)
Length of delay between identifying link and getting it (8) x Impulsiveness (1)

So if you believe your chances of success are high and you’re not impulsive then you’re going to build high quality links. If you’re impulsive then the chances of you putting it off are higher.

Now imagine I was an SEO’s / Link Builder that believed my chances of success with editorial based links is low (1) and I am not impulsive (1) then I score a single point. If I was impulsive and thought I’m unlikely to be successful then I am really in trouble.

Is it surprising that most link builders gravitate towards the ‘fill you boots’ type links like directories, articles, and comment links. Chances of success (10), value of completing task (?), delay (1), impulsiveness (1). You can score highly, especially if you think these strategies work. So you’re motivated to do them.

So if Matt Cutts was to stumble across this post I’d like to think he would know exactly what to do. Tell the world that the value of completing this task is 0. Now if you think about applying the equation to other aspects of SEO like quality content development it’s amazing what conclusions you come to.