This has really nothing to do with SEO, but I thought I’d throw it in for the hell of it. Infact this really isn’t even useful, it’s just cool and neat on how it works.
In the Google FAQ it talks about the rel=”prefetch” command. This command(supported by both new versions of firefox and IE) in a sense forces the user to click on a link. The user doesn’t actually go to the link; their browser just fetches the url. The idea behind this is to make the next page download faster, assuming they do click on it. This is really only useful for splash pages. Ie. Click here to enter pages.
However this command can be used to cheat on Alexa
My Alexa Ranking <-removed because it no longer works. Use the xml.alexa.com url instead
This will link tag will cause almost every visitor to my site to pull the Alexa toolbar API and count it as a visit to my site, whether or not they actually have the toolbar.
Anyone promote on top sites lists?
Fun stuff eh!
interesting find
there are some curious uses for such an exploit
Looks interesting..
I’d be interested to find out ways to make this work for you… The main thing I can think of is to use the Alexa cheat on a site that has a low Alexa ranking, then really promote that site so you get a lot more hits - and if possible get onto the “Movers and Shakers” list - a nice link back from Alexa? Would this class as spam or Blackhat SEO?
I guess I’m a little late on this one, but I just stumbled across your blog and there is a lot of great information here! When I tried to open up the alexa link you are loading using the rel=prefetch attribute, it didn’t resolve for me. Is this method still working for you and if so how did you go about formulating that url? Thanks for the great info!
This is a dead technique.
Alexa changed the way their api pulls.
dang, I thought xml.alexa.com would work!
I’m not sure if it works, here’s a php script to do this:
http://onlinehoster.com/blog/alexa-rank-cheater/
the first one didn’t work. Did anyone try the xml? I was told it doesn’t work either.
very interesting.. i’m not sure if it still works. i’ve always been dubious at alexa traffic rankings anyway.
Nice trick but does it still work?
Interesting information, but I doubt it works.
don’t think this one still works but good read/
Prob does not work now. Good tip though
Hmm, a hack for Alexa without the need to download and install software. Great Job
nice article.
does it still work now?
this really can be pretty useful when others evaluate your site for a sale.
for some reason, people still think alexa ranking matters, so they use it as a factor in determining your website’s worth.
does this still work, eli?
-brad
Too bad most of such tricks don’t work now!
great post i as well hate alexa because of their complex ranking system
very nice..
You can also use this trick for your AdWords landing page. Because loadtime now are important quality score from Google
/ Henrik
get great alexa score it’s time consuming, but with this i think save your time to spend with family
Alexa Cheat is something new to me.
I didn’t know Alexa was prone to hacking till now.
Nice cheat way for new webmasters. thanks for article.
great post. I like it.
I didn’t know you could cheat in Alexa as well. You’re hard core in deed.
Bluehat seo and alexa cheat?! This is news to me but interesting. You just got a new follower in me.
Has anyone heard of using multiple proxies to do this, as well? Does that still work?
wow i ussually use alexa booster never tought this idea
Not that I condone it but here’s a link that might help if you’re interested in boosting your Alexa ranking:
http://www.mubinahmed.com/how-to-cheat-alexa-and-increase-your-alexa-rankings/