So many directories only have recprical listing features....first does this harm my site to do reciprical link exchange with directories? If i had a robot.txt block the pages with these links...what would happen? meaning: would those listing still be active and valid and let me keep doing reciprical linking with directories? Also would that be enough to limit the harm done by linking with these fellows?
It is not worth doing reciprocal linking with most directories. 99.9% of the time your link will be on a PR0 page that helps very very little. You would be helping out the directory more than they are helping you. Blocking your links page with robots.txt could backfire. Depending on how these directories check their backlinks, they might also be blocked from that page. It should eliminate the risk of being penalized for linking to a link farm. There are probably better uses of your time than reciprocal directories. Try some other strategies like articles, blog commenting, forum posting, squidoo pages, etc.
You should focus more on other ways of getting backlinks to your sites. Directories are going down in googles eyes imo
one way back links are better for the pr juice. There are many directories out there that offer 1 way back links
I wouldn't trade a reciprocal with a general directory. Just go for a free link because they'll both do you about the same amount of good...and no damage if the directory is seen as spammy by google. If you find some quality niche directories then you can trade links with them, but don't try to scam them with your robots.txt. A link from a quality niche directory will help your SERPs.
Avoid reciprocal links if you can. There are plenty of directories with free links without backlink requirement. You may want to do reciprocal exchange with some directories and websites in your niche.
Ok the thing is I have been doing articles, squidoo, blogging....all that Jazz and my site continues to drop. I have been in absolutely no directories in the past and want to build a little base. My SEO efforts are far and away better than my competitors but they are in a ton of directories...this is the only reason i can see they are ahead in the SERP's