Buying featured links then adding "no follow"

Hey all,

I have 3 of the webs best directories and buy featured links when it looks like a deal, but since most of the directories I submit featured to are already in my directories it kinda defeats the purpose as now it's a recip link.

So should I put a no-follow attribute or delete from my database?

Is this just a dick move? Let me know.

 

Are you seriously asking is it ok for you to nofollow or simply delete listings of sites that you plan on adding your own site to? Yes...it is a dick move...to do EITHER of those! Do you really think someone that had "3 of the webs best directories" (your own claim - certainly not mine), should do something as unprofessional and unethical as this?

 

my advice is never to deceive anyone

 

Wow I didn't expect such a response. I guess I just should stop buying featured listings.

 

Right, not my intention. I was just wondering if I'm shelling out money to be featured if I should ask for it to be a one way link.

Question answered.

 

Why would you do that? Are they hurting you? I really think you really are confused on this. Also, buy links/ad space on non-directory sites too (but preferably sitll webmaster-/SEO-related). This way you have some definite one-way links.

 

Search engines reduce the importance of recip links. If I'm going to pay to be featured I want it to be a one way link.

They aren't hurting but really don't help. It's not worth it in some cases to PAY to have them linking back anyways. I'll stick with regular lisings. Not a big deal, I just will stop paying for featured for my free directory.

 

Just one question. They aren't helping you with what? What are you after with these directory listings?

 

For search engine rankings. Recips can cancel each other out or not "weigh" as much. Human traffic is fine, but it I'm going to Pay for an upgraded featured link I'd prefer it to be one way.

I'll save my Featured Money for my other websites, if someone wanted to pay me for a featured from another directory and asked for a no-follow attribute to be placed on a link back that would be fine.

Why...BECAUSE THEY'RE PAYING ME FOR A FEATURED LINK!... I guess I'm alone here. I felt that if I'm going to pay somebody for a featured it might be beneficial to have it one way.

 

Sorry but i dont even understand your question.

 

I give up on this one. I am still confused. Best of luck with your directories.

 

If I goto http://www.portprophecy.com/submit.php

And pay the $49.95 for featured for my free directory is it a dick move to request NOT LINKING BACK?

As recip links can hurt. I thought was plain english, sorry.

 

OK, I think I kind of see what you are saying. Since you payed for a listing on my site, and I have a [bfree[/b] listing on you free directory....you want to know if it is ok to delete my free listing? I hope I understand it correctly.

While certainly not as bad as deleting paid listings, deleting free listings is usually a bad idea too. People see this as unprofessional. But I think your question is this: If you pay for a featured on my site and then contact asking is it ok to delete the free listing I have on your site (avoiding what you see as the dreaded link exchange), is that ok? I would say OK to such a request. No problems there if I agree to it. Just don't delete people's listings without them knowing about it. You will quickly get a bad reputation in the directory business.

 

That's the key, you stated in the OP that you just wanted to change them and I agree that I don't think that is a wise choice. Now if you were to contact the link owner and request as such and it's agreed upon, then by all means do it.

Remember, it was your choice to offer a free directory, and your choice to purchase the Features on others site. So either check back with the link owners, or be sure to change your policies on your directories so that people are aware of your intentions and they can make a choice that suits them best.

 

That's exactly what I'm getting at. And No I wouldn't really consider deleting, it would be more of a no-follow as for human traffic. I really dread paying out like $40 or $50 and then seeing them in my directory as it's really shooting myself in the foot as far as search engines.

I wouldn't be covert, but I'm really pondering asking before paying the $$$ if I can no-follow em'

Even between my own directories I no-follow attrib my other directories. I do it to myself like here;

http://www.beacondirectory.com/web-directories/

To pay someone then get a hurtful/nothing link out of it takes all motivation out of featured listings on a free directory

 

I agree, the problem is a few I paid for and THEN they submit to me after.

Thus the problem before unforseen.

 

Well then this would be the opportunity to decide not to accept the request or to contact the owner to request your no-follow. But don't accept and decide to change it months later at least without their knowledge.

Since you are dealing with other directory owners, PortProphecy said it best...

 

You should deny the approval and refund the money.

 

Okay, in plain English. Recip links do not cancel each other out.

 

Well no money to refund. See the whole problem is it's a free directory to begin with.

So I pay out some cash...Then get hit with a request for a recip. If it's a quality directory I'll want to list it, but not for spiders as it will hurt myself and those whom have decided to pay me for featured. I have to keep in mind my featured people paid for the best promotion possible.

Would a solution to be to add the directory before they do with a no-follow if it's one I paid for?

Preemptive?

I agree with being upfront and whatnot and I'll eat the damage done, the ones in my que I guess I'll ask if they want to be no-followed or not be in my directory.

I waslooking at my que just asking if this was a dickhead move...thus the post.