We've all seen these before, a column on the side of a blog full of links to related sites, or a link page with the same. My question for the pros if these have any advantages in link development? Basically, I have been checking the backlinks of my competitors and I noticed a lot of their links are from these link pages. Should I be looking at doing the same thing and contacting these related sites for a link? From what I've read reciprocal links/link exchanges are really the greatest form of SEO - so I don't know what to do!
Well, I'm definitely not a pro, but I do know a bit about this. First of all, link exchanges are definitely not the greatest form of SEO. In fact, a lot of people argue that they are next to worthless. I disagree with them, though. I think that if you exchange links with quality, relevant sites then you can definitely get some good do-follow backlinks. In addition, it's a great way to get exposure if you do it with a site that is more well-established than yours. Just remember not to go crazy and do too many exchanges! Also, when you contact the site owners, remember to be polite. It's a good idea to start a discussion or compliment their site before making the request. -Danielle
Ignore them. In fact, there's a type of link that will make those look like moldy water-logged cheese. (EEW) They're called merit-based links: http://forums.digitalpoint.com/showthread.php?p=12104573#post12104573
Yeah reciprocal link help you a lots in - getting traffic from the site of your link partner and vice versa - If the links are do follow (yep ,they are. in maximum case).hence they help in SEO. What makes link building effective ? Because if one is promoting his site in forums,social bookmarking sites,article or site directories or any other third party site link to any one of them.As a result the links are also contributed to the other link partner . beacuse whenever Google crawler visit the page of site from forums,social bookmarking sites,directories or else .Spider or crawler follow the link and reach the page of site and where it also track or count link of other partner site if its do follow.As a result it help in boosting up SERP to both and a nice way to get traffic. but People say they are not a legal way of link building.You should not do excessive link exchange .
Hmmm seems like there are mixed opinions. The site that I have been looking at ranks 1st for a few of my targeted keywords, so they must be doing something right, or these links must not be hurting them too bad?
Yeah, unless it's excessive exchanging it can't really harm you. And if I were you I would definitely contact this site because that seems like it would be a very relevant and valuable backlink. -Danielle
I do not know who told you that reciprocal links are the best form SEO. This is absolutely wrong. You will be penalized if you do reciprocal. Google does not like reciprocal linking. and you can bring links from the blog rolls from where your competitor got links. In this way you may get some value for your links. There is no harm of following competitors link. its a good strategy I would say.
Not true. Google does not value reciprocal links as much as one-way links, but they will not penalize it unless it is excessive, as I said before. And it can even be worth more than any old one-way link if it is a quality, relevant link-exchange. -Danielle