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R.I.P. - Reciprocal Linking - Deceased 1999-2006

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Is anyone as sick as I am of receiving reciprocal linking requests in the form of spam emails? I read a fantastic article by Mike Banks Valentine of SearchEngineOptimism.com. Yes the article is a bit controversial, but that's what makes it a fun read! The title is: "Reciprocal Linking is Dead"

Here are some excerpts that I thought were excellent:

"I will link, but I will not "swap links" with anyone now. I require content in the form of articles, press releases and news, quotes, testimonials or some form of content."

"What was it that ruined strict reciprocal links for me? It happened when I received a polite link request from an apparently well-meaning reciprocal link partner and, as always, clicked through to his requested linking URL. I was forwarded immediately to an affiliate program page which this scammer hoped to slip by without my noticing."

This part was great... he has a form letter that he uses to reply to those spam emails:

"I'd be happy to link to you, but my current method of linking is through articles, not links pages. If you'd like to contribute an article for publication, I'd be glad to link to you through the resource box.

Take a look at those articles I currently use and send your own articles for linking consideration. Be sure to include a resource box with the linking text included within it.

The articles are the only way I link to anyone now. If you don't have any, consider writing a couple specifically for this purpose. I'm sure you also know the value of distributing well written articles for use by other web sites and ezines."

I totally plan on using a letter like this to reply to those reciprocal link requests. Who knows, maybe a motivated spammer will start writing some good content for me!

Lately, I've been getting a few link requests that claim to have a 3 way linking strategy that are supposed to guard against reciprocal link penalties and give a decent backlink. The one problem is that most of the links in the requests are completely unrelated to my services. People just don't get it that a link from a casino website to a real estate website isn't going to help your ranking. In fact, it may even hurt your ranking if you have too many unnatural links from unrelated sites.

Bottom Line: If you're going to use reciprocal linking... don't do it just for the sake of getting more links. Do it because you think your customers will find value in that link. And for goodness sake, don't spam people for reciprocal links. And finally, make sure to only accept links from sites that have content related to yours.

Here are some other helpful links on the subject:

Healthy Website Linking Practices

Threadwatch.org

SEW thread

eZine Article

Links arguing that reciprocal linking is still alive and well:

easywebtutorials.com

1stSearchEngineRankings.com

link

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Posted by Justin Smith | SEO, SMO & Blogging Consultant on 11/30/2006 01:24 PM

Comments (9)

9 Comments on R.I.P. - Reciprocal Linking - Deceased 1999-2006

NOV

2006

Well said. Link requests are the bane of my existence. I manage 3 other very popular websites outside of RSS Pieces and get bombarded with link requests and politely decline them all. However, one of our programmers here who also manages a very popular tech blog once showed me his canned response to link requests which I find quite funny: I wouldn't link to you if you were the last webpage on the Internet.

Got this today- I am sure it is a spam- now I know what to reply- Thanks mary, you always have great ideas!

You've received a contact message from your Contact Form on the ActiveRain network.

Message details:
From: Steven J. Rubert
Email: srubert@thereferralpages.com
Subject: looking for a TOP realtor in your area

michele, Good morning! I found you on the active rain website! I am looking for a qualified real estate agent in your area to work with my network of business owners that revolve around the real estate transaction! (Insurance companies, financial planners, loan officers, etc.) My company The Referral Pages (www.thereferralpages.com) is the nations fastest growing network of pre-screened real estate industry professionals! TOP producing realtors have been requested by the professionals in your area to network with. These business owners are looking to expand their sales force with some other like minded business professionals, and are interested in promoting your business to their clients as a value added service. My company will make this opportunity to ONLY 5 Real Estate Agents in your area so we eliminate 99.95% of your competition in your area! We are about quality companies, NOT quantity. This is NOT a lead generation service, it is a networking opportunity where you will build relationships and grow referral business. On top of that, my company works with the worlds LARGEST search engines like Google, and Yahoo to expose you to the general public looking for a good realtor! (407,000 hits in the month of November) I would like to set a time I could give you a call and explain how my business works and see if you would be interested in working together. Thank you for your time and have a great day!

Steven J. Rubert
www.thereferralpages.com
585-641-2161

I get a lot of spammy link requests and I take about 2 seconds to quickly scan them before I hit the delete button. I don't waste time responding back with a reason I don't want to link to them.

I do look for Realtors who want to do a home page link. I've seen many sites with home page Realtor "referral network" areas on their home pages do very well for their keyword terms. I like connecting with fellow agent webmasters and maybe picking up a few tips.

DEC

2006

Spam sss Spam Spam...teh death of the reciprocal link came from a enlightenment on how Yahoo views the reciprocal exchanges. I quit a few moons ago and then all of a sudden my rankings when up. Ken Smith as quite a few post regarding this topic.

Excellent post! I love the concept of exchanging links from articles. Spammers won't take the time to do it so that should be another great way to kiss them goodbye.

Content exchanges have been around for a bit. I've done a few. Its nice because it helps your site grow with original content (when done correctly)-Charles

MAR

2007

I may have to change my way of thinking now. I do like the idea of having them add content that at the end we link back to their site.

On the same thought of these articles they give to you to put on your site be certified as original content and that they are not sharing it with other agents. The stuff I've read lately is showing that duplicate content can get your ranking to go down.

Todd

JUN

2007

Instead of links, swap lists!

I have 3500 members on my real estate investors mailing list at www.magicbullets.com I would like to know if some of the folks here would be interested in sending a brief message telling folks about my site out to their list and in return I would do the same sending out your message to my list.

We've all worked hard to build and protect our lists and the members it represents, by exchanging e mails we can effectively target warm leads at no cost to one another and quite possibly build our own lists with new members that want what each of us has.

I consider it a win/win/win proposition. Feel free to contact me through private message at www.magicbullets.com or reply here.

Thanks for the consideration gang, we/you have absolutely no expense in doing these type JV's and you have the absolute power to change the message or deny sending anything out that you feel would not sit well with your membership.

Thanks for considering building your list. Dan Auito:)

DEC

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R.I.P. - Reciprocal Linking - Deceased 1999-2006

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