I have a website now that has more than 200 backlinks. Sometimes people complain when I offer to exchange links, that they don't want their site on a page out "in the middle of nowhere." I've also noticed that very large sites have no visible link pages. How do they do this? How can a big site have thousands of backlinks, but no link page. Why would people link to them without getting a link back. It is frustrated, because when I contact webmasters for link exchanges, a lot of them want to be on the homepage, or Number 1 links page. The SEs obviously penalize having too many links on one page, but aside from that, it is inefficient to have 80 links on one page anyway. In any event, how do you guys deal with a large number of backlinks? Even if a create a directory, someone will still be out in the "middle of nowhere."
If you were to get the software, SEO Elite, you could see what the backlinks of any site are. I plugged my old employer into it once out of curiosity. That employer was jackinthebox.com. They had backlinks because 1) They were included in a lot of online directories and phone books and such 2) Many people included them in their blog postings and such and 3) They were included in a lot of online food journals and ezines and that sort of thing. One really good thing you can do for your site is to write some good, solid, high-quality articles. Webmasters will pick them up and use them on their sites. When they do this (if they do it right and include your bio box), you will get a backlink. I had some very high PR backlinks because my "food safety" articles were picked up by long established cooking sites. My report, listed in my signature line, shows you how you can get some really high PR backlinks to your site without having to reciprocate and put links on your site.
Great post Angela, I agree it is because others are linking to them and they have a good word of mouth going around. Try linking to them from another big site you own that way you do not get any of the link penalties. Try writing a unique article or having your website listed on a template then promoting it.
For lazy ones or those who can't write quality articles these are to check out: Context Ads WL Links Automator
The way you check your backlinks is to sign up at my site. Get the advanced membership upgrade (FREE) and you'll be able to check that your links are linking back with a few clicks.