Basically, I'll take links any way available if its not a waste of time. Its all traffic one way or another. But I really prefer better SERP results. Over the past few years, I've been very active on forums, and had put reciprocal links on pause, mainly because I didn't think I needed them. Then I noticed that competitor sites were inching upward and my site inching downward. So it seemed like time to get back into increasing inbound links again. Only this time I was paying more attention. Last time about 4 or 5 years ago, I didn't watch trends or changes very closely. Anyhow, the past few weeks, adding reciprocal links plus a few various directory links has brought my site from page two to page one for some keywords. And for other keywords, my site moved from the bottom of page one, up several slots to about mid-page. What I realized from this, was that signature links may not hurt. But they must be almost inconsequential, or very insignificant when compared to backlinks and reciprocal links. I'm trying quite hard to do this without paying blood money to yahoo, or other paid link listings. In fact, I read an older article this last week, which mentioned that Google frowns on paid links. Anyone have similar or different experience with reciprocal links?
Reciprocal link may hurt or may not hurt your site depends on who you are linking to. Be selective on the partner site and would help you have a less chance for being penalized due to "Bad Neighborhood". I know you do not prefer to pay a single penny. But if you can afford I would recommend submit your site to some authoritative directories. Many of them are not expensive and yet permanently. I would not recommend you to rely with only reciprocal link as main link building method. They way Google and other major search engines treat to reciprocal link is down and down each day passed.
In my own experiences, comparing with reciprocal links, links via forum signature would be more valuable. You usually would have more controls on your anchor text and even better, such backlinks could be modified in bulk according to your keyword needs. Thanks,
I second AirForce1 I'd also prefer oneway links over reciprocal links. Forum signatures are oneway links and thus having a much more value than reciprocal links if indexed.
Link exchange is not a taboo and neither Google wants you to stop doing it, as long as: It is beneficial to the users
Seems I'm still in Joeant. And must be in one other I don't recall. Question coming ... This directory http://www.hotvsnot.com/ Offers bypassing $300 (Yahoo range) for a reciprocal placed on one's home page. They give a line of code snippet. My question is, what if someone just reduces the snippet down to the link itself? Would they check the site for the whole snippet of code, or just the link itself? I thought the offer was interesting, and think I'll try. Because I can add it below my main table, but still inside the <body>. But down a couple of inches out of sight. Still legible too.
I think its a blending excercise , you need both .. The problems are time and money if you have to pay for these services.. The old addage of the more the merrier still works but quality over quantity is the real key
Bump qouting my post. I was hoping for more feedback about this one. Regarding that directory, with a home page reciprocal link, and whether they would check for just the link or the whole snippet remaining. Thanks.
I too agree with it, Forums Signature links are really useful and turn to be more useful than reciprocal links
I think the best strategy is a combination of forums, blogs, reciprocal and natural links derived from links to relevant content on your site because it's good info.