It seems that using Alexa's redirect URL to game your rank is no longer an option.
UPDATE
Just got this in my inbox:
Dear Jon,Thank you for your message.
We no longer provide support for the redirect function.
Best regards,
Alexa Internet Customer Service
I guess that answers the question as to whether they are coming back or not!
On about 4:00PM on Thursday, January 10th, I clicked one of the comment author's names, which I assumed lead to their blog. Instead of their page, however, I got:
The requested URL /redirect was not found on this server.
I glanced at the address bar, and saw this:
http://redirect.Alexa.com/redirect?myblog.com
That's not good for business...
A quick google for "Alexa redirect" brings up over 50,000 results, some of them promote the Alexa redirect, others say it is a myth.
Personally, I am inclined to believe it is nothing more than a redirect script, and has nothing at all to do with your Alexa rank.
Here's a quote from the Alexa project manager, Geoffrey Mack:
...The [Alexa] redirect doesn't do anything to your rank. The rank is based on one thing only: logs from toolbar usage. I should know, I am the product manager at Alexa...."
This sort of this just calls attention to the fact that you cannot rely on third party links.
Case in point, not long ago TinyURL went down, rendering more than 54 million links completely useless.
I also find it interesting that I am unable to find any official word on Alexa.com about even the existence of a redirect URL.
What do you think?
Do you think Alexa should have removed the redirect abilities without any notice?
Do you think the Alexa redirect actually did what so many people though it did?
