Yeah JamieG and the thing that really summed it up for me and made me take off any kind of recip option from my site is that the directory he was talking about did not require a recip - it was a voluntary recip...
But then why do the directories above rank so well??? Both www.justrealestate.org and www.real-estate-blogs.com require a recip before inclusion. http://www.real-estate-blogs.com/blogs/addlisting.php http://www.justrealestate.org/addweb.asp?dir=/usa Neither are more than 4 years old (justrealestate barely 4 years), so it's not like they are ancient sites getting free passes for old recips. Both are PR5. With freeindex.co.uk, you get an upgraded listing if you recip them. I don't know exactly what they get, i think you can include product info and such, but i don't know for sure. I don't know if you get preferred placement or what not. But in this directory's instance, it's an option (might be required to get the actual link in the listing though, vs. just a plain text spot). It's a PR6 under 4 years old. What the hell?
From: http://googlewebmastercentral.blogspot.com/2007/12/information-about-buying-and-selling.html Is this true?: "Matt Cutts said... "Simple question Matt (I expect a simple answer) Why did you penalized AliveDirectory.com ? Have you ever browsed that directory? Ten times more quality than Yahoo directory!" MLP, I browsed for a couple minutes and noticed that at http://www.alivedirectory.com/submit.php they appear to require a reciprocal link with every submission. I haven't seen that many directories that *require* you to link to them when you submit a url."
Haha, well, I do know that Bruce. My questions are half rhetorical, as I mainly wanted to point out examples that contradict what was stated about recips. I acknowledge, however, that scroogle's guidelines DO say to avoid excessive reciprical linking, so I really do wonder about those results...
Recip link directories are basically pointless. The majority won't submit to your directory if you required a recip and if they do it will be from an indexed page like links23423.html
one point i thought of, sites like blogcatalog for example require you ad their link in oder to validate. why are they not penalized? since i changed the recip to an option i received 9 quality submissions, of which 3 pr4 blogs added my banner. these sites are in my niche so i see nothing but good coming from that.
This was my point earlier! I pointed out three directories that do well based on mandatory/optional recipocal linking. I really just don't understand it. Scroogle says one thing, but enforces selectively. I mentioned roughly the same thing, too. I think it may depend on being niche vs general - I imagine being niche makes it easier to link to. You've also got an original directory, so you may be attracting some interest and people are more willing to link to you. Certainly doesn't hurt to get related backlinks!
I have completely removed the recip section from my submit form, now it is a "where did you find me?" question which I think will be far more useful in analyzing my promotional campaign. The advice you all gave me was a wake up call, thanks for the tips before I got burnt!
Fortunately from all the crap that a lot of us have experienced and learned from its handy for yourself and others as you can avoid a lot of what can be a few headaches and benefit from it all.
Yeah it is so true! recips are evil, and I no longer offer them, I mean The link code is there, but I could care less if it is used. truth be told I am hell drunk now, been out all night and cant sleep so here I am posting rants and raves to all my subscribed threads that have been commented on since last log in. please disregard everything I post on april 7th 2008 hahaha. I think I will log out now before I am de rep'd to death. though I do appreciate all the great advice and feedback I have received since joining DP forums. you are all stars!
Yes, this scares me. Now I never bother with recip directories - pointless exercise and a waste of valuable time.