There was a time when a reciprocal link campaign was the #1 way most websmasters acquired links. For those of you who don't know what reciprocal linking is, it simply means that you exchange links with another website and you both benefit. At least that's the way it used to work. However, in recent times, in terms of SEO benefits, reciprocal links have been greatly devalued by the search engines. Search engines simply don't view reciprocal linking in the same favorable light that they used to. Why? Mainly because this method of acquiring links was badly abused by many website owners who basically linked to any website that asked - relevant or not. Google doesn't like that. If you're going to reciprocate links, they had better be relevant. That's not to say you absolutely shouldn't attempt to acquire reciprocal links. I mean if you can negotiate a well placed link on a relevant website with lots of traffic, then you should definitely do it. Just don't expect the search engines to reward you for reciprocal links as they did in years past. Those days are over! Dale King
OK, but what would be the ratio old times vs. new times? If I get today 10 reciprocal links, will they weight as one gained some years ago?
I would rather have just one - one way link than 50 reciprocal links, they are practically worthless in the eyes of the search engines, who see them as two websites just scratching each others backs in an attempt to manipulate page rank.
I don't agree. While one-way links are certainly better reciprocals can be a great element. PARTICULARLY because you will usually exchange links with those in your niche/community - this helps identify you with that community. Theme/community based links a very powerful in Google. If you can't get those theme/community based links on a one way basis then go reciprocal.
It depends on the link, of course and there are variables. But generally speaking, a recent, relevant link is more potent than one that's several years old. Dale King
a link is a link - whether it's reciprocal or one-way, as long as it's worth linking to, it'll still help a site in several factors.
i wouldn't bother with a recipricol link... unless it's highly relevant and from a site with a decent PR