Link Party etiquette is something that needs a little more attention in my opinion. I think that there are some unspoken rules surrounding areas of blogging…but sometimes things just need to be spoken and made clear!
I like to know what is expected of me and I try to follow the rules and be a team player if possible!
When I first started participating in link parties I wanted to learn what I could about link party etiquette and did some research. I didn't find a lot of information and decided that I would share some of my experiences and what I have found to be important as a party-goer and a party-hoster!
Basic Link Party Etiquette
Read the party rules
Every party is a little bit different. I visit a lot of parties and even if it's a party I have attended before…I still scan the party rules so I can be a good team player!
Follow the hosts on social media
I always try to follow the hosts on at least one social media platform. It is a courtesy and many will follow you back if you mention their link party. It can also benefit you because they may share your post on their social media and if you don't follow you may not know it was shared! This can be time consuming when there are a lot of hosts, but remember that each of those hosts is taking a lot of time with the party and they deserve a little something for that time commitment!
Participate in the party
This is the one that really irks me….and I think it is on the rise because so many bloggers are using virtual assistants to help them with link parties. Bloggers or VA's will drop the links and leave the party without visiting a few other bloggers. It is just rude…. I always visit some of the other links at the party. I will either comment or share on social media each blog I visit from the party!
Treat Other Bloggers Like You Would Want to be Treated
It really comes down to the golden rule. I try to treat the link party hosts and party participants like I would like to be treated at my own party! Be nice….the fact is that if the party has too many rules that you don't care for…it is OK…just don't attend the party! There are a few parties I pass on because I don't feel like I can follow the rules properly and I want to play fair. There are lots of parties to choose from! Link Party Etiquette doesn't have to be complicated. I think that if all bloggers followed the golden rule we would all be doing great!
Spread the Love
Assuming that you are visiting other links at the party….because that is the right thing to do….think about looking at the links on the 2nd, 3rd, 4th page of the party! You know those REALLY big parties that have literally hundreds of links! I use Inlinkz for my party and it allows me to order the links either randomly or the last links go to the top of the list. A lot of parties don't order the links that way…it is just first come, first serve. So if you visit a party 2 or 3 days into the party…your links may be at the bottom of hundreds of links. You may not get very many visits way down the line like that. I like to start at the bottom of the list when I am browsing and choosing which links to visit. I want to spread a little love to those bloggers! The reason I order my links backwards or randomly is so that no blogger gets penalized for not coming to my party the first day! I am thrilled with people leaving their links any day the party is open!!
I have a great round-up of link parties that you can check out! If you have a link party and would like to be added to my list, please send me an email at jamie@lifeissweeterbydesign.com.
I would also love it if you visited my party every week! It is Pick Your Pin Link Party where you leave a PIN url not a post url! This party is all about getting your PINS REPINNED on Pinterest! It opens every Monday at 8pm CST and closes on Sunday at 8pm CST. The hosts pin EVERY link left…so you will get at least 2 or more repins depending if we have guest hosts that week! 
What are your thoughts about link party etiquette? What is your biggest pet peeve when it comes to link party etiquette or the lack of?
- Ultimate Summer Camp Packing List for Kids (Free) - June 5, 2023
- Free Printable Worm Coloring Page - May 31, 2023
- Cricut Fathers Day Ideas Dad Will Love - May 29, 2023
Are there any link parties specifically geared for people interested in marketing and entrepreneurship? Most link parties I see are a bunch of “mom bloggers” and the content is not of interest to myself or my audience. I would love to find a community and any help would be greatly appreciated. Feel free to reach out to me via email
I haven’t seen a party geared to marketing and entrepreneurship, but it is a great idea! You could easily start your own party and send invites to other websites with a similiar focus!!
This is all such good info! I’ve seen people come and go on my link party. Funny I just posted about commenting on link-ups.
I agree with you about visiting the link ups at the bottom or 4th and 5th pages! I love the link ups that switch around the posts or put the last ones on the top. I love the fact that you guys pin every visitor to your party as well!
I also look and visit the last couple pages on a party link. I can’t find your link to parties- when I clicked on it it said page not available. Thanks for the parties!!
Thanks for the heads up Samantha! I will fix that link!
Thanks for your thoughts! I really didn’t know the etiquette!
GREAT post! This bugs me also. I don’t participate if I can’t be diligent to reciprocate that week. Blessings! I’m glad you put this all in a blog for us. Pinned!
Thanks Bonnie Lyn! It is great to see other bloggers playing nice! Have a great week!
Amen to all of this! It’s so unfair to comment and share posts and not receive the same treatment. I’m just now linking up with as many quality parties as I can. It can be a lot to juggle but it’s such a great connecting too.
Great info and good reminders! Thanks for sharing this!