Link Exchange that gets you banned

I made the experience that several client's websites got dropped from Google and the common thing seems to be the integrated link exchange program.
Did anybody make the same observation?

 

Care to provide a few more details? I've yet to see this happen. But can see how it could be the case. If you are not comfortable posting further info feel free to PM me...

 

Hey, we'd all like to learn more details- that's really gonna be interesting. So please, Christine, provide more details here.

Thank you in advance.

 

The client did not pay attention who came in through his link exchange. So, he got a lot of links to and from sites that having nothing to do with what he does.
(I did not install or monitor this.)
Here is some more input why a link exchange software may get you banned:http://www.colizer.com/free-link-exchange.php.

 

that happens when you exchange links from a bad neighborhood. google thinks one as "bad" if it has a spammable content (i.e. if it is induced in cloaking, tons of doorway pages, etc.). plus, adding your link to link farms and FFA (free for all) link sites/directories is not a pretty good idea. check that site's PR and content relevance to yours before exchanging links.

 

Absolutely agree with isulongseoph: you souldn't assign the blame to link exchange software - it simply helps to make all the tedious work faster and saves a lot of time. Just use your brains, and use link exchange software that leaves no footprints - and you link exchange campaign will be a success. For example, I love this seo tool since it leaves no traces at all - and neither your link partners, nor search engines can understand that your link exchange is automated.

 

I have my doubts that google is going to drop any site solely for link exchange programs. But ya, I have seen tons of website on linkmetro.com where they are running automatic link exchange directories having tons of sites related to poker,pharma and I think they deserve to get penalized.

 

After revising all the pages on that site I found a ton of keyword stuffing in ALT Tags. That might have done it.