How to cover your tracks when searching for advanced links or search queries?

Are you completing advanced linking, competitor analysis or search queries that you don’t want your competitors (or any one else for that matter) to find.

Well here are some tips to protect your little pockets of gold:

Step 1. Open your browser
Go to Firefox (or your normal browser for that matter) – I have used Firefox here because I prefer Firefox for its ability to use so many useful plugins for SEO and more.

Step 2. Open about:config in broswer
In the search or browser bar enter in about:config – WARNING this may void your warranty. You should receive warning message in a pop up. If/When this occurs accept this and continue. Just be careful .

Step 3. Go to the filter box
Select the filter box and type in “referrer”. A line will appear saying ‘network.http.sendReferrerHeader‘ select this line which will prompt you with a dialog box. Once the dialog box loads enter 0 and press enter
This should prevent Firefox from passing your referrer string.

Step 4. Double check Firefox is not passing your referrer string.
To Double check Firefox is not passing your referrer string either click this link to http://www.whatismyreferer.com/ or enter this into your search/browser bar.

Note:
If you are smart and want to take this even further you can use the referrer logs that you are trying to protect against your competitors by checking your referral logs to analyse how advanced your competitors, SEOers & webmasters are analysing your website too.

Thanks to Casey Henry from Grand Rapids Web Designs for this addition – “if you leave your referrer off, it will hinder your ability to use some sites. Another thanks to SEOmoz for providing very helpfuil SEO tips, tools, information & techniques.