Experience of directories that say "it would be nice if you gave us a reciprocal...."

nice if you gave us a reciprocal...but it's not compulsory" or words to that effect.

A while ago I submitted a good quality, information rich website to Splut, a UK directory and didn't give them a reciprocal. Within 24 hours, I had an email back from them saying my application had been rejected and they were not going to tell me why.

A few weeks later, I resubmitted exactly the same website, this time giving them a reciprocal. Within 24 hours I was in their directory. In terms of traffic sent, it's not too bad.

But it looks like a reciprocal WAS required.

I wonder what other people's experiences are with directories who say something along the lines of "reciprocals are nice but not necessary"?

 

well, the ones that are done like dmoz, and done by humans that each have their own category to check on, it depends on the person. I have a few link pages like dmoz, and have to admit, if I have doubts, I go look at things like that. If I am not convinced a site is really making my page better, but he gives me a link, I will probably link back unless its really bad.

Still the best ones that are surely an addition to my page are always added, no link exchange needed. So I keep that rule

 

Another example of "there just isn't a free ride" anymore. You just can't believe anything you read now!!

 

The UK's Hampshire County Council has a regional directory where they expect you to link to them first and then, fulfil their criteria and they will link to you... yeah right My council tax pays for those idiots to do bugger all in their useless IT department... I wanna refund LOL

 

In my directory you are NOT required do link back:
http://dir.seo7.net

 

Looks like almost all high rank directories need reciprocal links. This reciprocal link in the future might not be as usefull any more. Google already introducing "no follow" link. The next one will be reciprocal links.

 

I don't ask for them at all. I established my directory as another way of garnering ad income, as well as offering a place that is full of good quality links. The only requirements I have made are that you use proper case, give a decent description, and title (all of which have miniumum and maximum character limits. Keeps things neat IMHO. Anyway, I have amassed near 400 entries thus far in only a few weeks, and DP is the only place I have mentioned my directory. http://www.kingbloom.com

I think requiring reciprocal links is an easy way of being established as a "link directory" or "link farm", which Google seems to frown upon. Your mileage may vary.

 

One of my friends works for Splut and I drew this thread to his attention.

He said that reciprocal links are not required to be included in the directory, and that the original poster's experience was an anomaly and not indicative of the norm.

 

I listed one of my sites in Splut without a reciprocal no problems.

 

lol, i actually found kingbloom here: http://www.info-sales.co.uk/directory_K.htm Didn't see it in your sig till now...

I think I submitted one or two of our sites, but i can't remember now

 

Thank you. Yeah, we seem to see most referals coming in from members of DP that have "Link Directory" sites. Of course at that the time this thread started we had about 400 listings, now there are over 15,000! (8 months later) Amazing!

 

I would not overestimate the importance of the human aspect of this. If you have a link it helps the site so why not accept it. However if the page looks spammy or just ok they may accept it one day and say screw it on any other day.

 

Kingbloom looks promising, fast review, no problems.

(ps kingbloom, dont forget to submit to lsblogs under the blog directory section if you have not already)

 

Just did.. Thanx for the compliments!