that actually mention 'link exchange' or 'reciprocal linking' on the page where your link will be placed? I have heard se's could penalize these types of exchanges. Is there any truth to that? My link page is called 'resources' (they can probably see that as well?), but I don't actually mention these two phrases on the page. What are your thoughts on this?
Most so called link pages are just link farms...little use to anyone. I do not trade links as I do not have such stuff on my sites. I would not even consider putting my link on a link farm for any reason. Best link exchanges in my opinion are front page for front page.
Not sure I totally agree with that statement. I think it depends on how the page is set up. I receive lots of targeted traffic to my site from my exchanges. Thanks for ther response.
I do not believe SE's can penalize one for using 'links', 'link exchange', etc.. if they did, then everyone will start using other words and the next penalty will be applied to 'resources', 'partners', 'directory', etc... and then SE's will soon run out of words to penalize. Link exchange works great in moderation. At some point when the volume is increased, it may be best to focus on links with similar theme.
Trading links with relevant content is good. Trading across categories also works to increase PR, as demonstrated by some of our members choose to trade links in different categories, and their links page achieved PR5. A list of the high PR pages are published at Link Exchange
I have a hard time believing that SE would look specifically for the word "link" -- if they did what about all the golf sites where "links" means a golf course?
there is not much point in putting links anywhere other then front page. and that to only on relevant sites. else it might be considered spamming
It isn't a case of search engines penalizing you for having bls from link exchange pages. The problem is that those pages don't carry much link reputation. from Jim Boykin's blog:
I don't think the words "link directory" or any other terms describing the directory in themselves would make Google penalize you, but I think the structure of the directory your link is in is very important. If it contains an array of unrelated categories I don't think Google would place much value on the link, or if the pages are categorized like this: link page 1 link page 2 link page 3 etc.. I think if all of your link trading was done with these kinds of directories you would not rank well for your keywords
Donnareed and I must have been posting at the same time- I never saw her post. I agree that there is little value in a link back from a large, poorly structured link directory. But I don't think directories themselves should be demonized. I base this on the fact that Google does not demote sites with properly structured directories. For example, in my Google index #1 for the term "barrel racing" is www.barrelhorses.com. This site has a well structured directory that does not link to a lot of unrelated, crappy sites. So while Google may not value the links to the sites in this directory as much as MSN and Yahoo (you do want to rank in MSN and Yahoo as well, don't you?) they certainly do not penalize you for it.
Build all your pages, links and content for humans, not search engines. It’s all about building a community. A web community connected by relevant links and great content which hopefully will garner you tons of traffic. Computer scientists are working towards building a semantic search engine, a search engine that will closely emulate, answer and analyze your search queries like a human librarian. This is where web search is going. Build pages for your human visitors (not robots or spiders) and you will be ahead of the curb.
If you work really hard at link building, then maybe you can get the webmaster to link to your site from the best, most relevant page. However, in mst case that is not going to happen, so you take what is on offer A link is a link, and the worse thing that is going to happen is that it is going to be demoted to useless for SEO purposes. You always have the option of traffic however, which you just grab with both hands.
thats what im talking about. if you have a few years to spare sitting around waiting for Google to maybe put you somewhere, more power to you. those sites that make it by doing nothing are few and far between. I want to talk SEO, not pacifism
I have several link exchanges with myspace realted sites for my myspace code site. I get nearly all of my whoping 300-400 impressions a day from them. ( Sarcasm ). They do work good IMO.
Link exchanges work exellent aslong as the link are from relevant site. Even if there not relevant they still hold value but you site could be classed as a link farm, I think aslong as the most of them are relevant you will be ok though.