Are reciprocal links the way to go ???

[davidundalicia]

I came across this snippet !!

Is it actually true ?

When a search engine crawler indexes a website's content, it saves all the links. For every link which points to your website, the search engine gives you some credit. If a reciprocal link is detected then the crawler reduces this credit, otherwise you get the maximum credit out of that link. Hence, if you need even better results it is strongly recommended to build one-way links.

How would one build one-way links ???

Whats in it for the other party ?????

[Bethers]

Re: Are reciprocal links the way to go ???

There is supposedly not as MUCH credit for reciprocal linking because the reason linking originally was given credit - was because the se's liked seeing NATURAL linking. Natural linking is when you say - hey I like that and I'm going to tell people about it. Or when someone writes about you in their blog or an article, etc because they like you and want to tell others about you.

Of course, people saw the value of links, so they started doing unnatural linking - some of which still is good, some of which led to link farms which are very bad - those are pages that really have nothing of value to anyone and are only generated to basically "trick" the se's. Believe me, they don't trick easily. They now do look for reciprocal linking and even are working on discovering the people who do 3-way linking to try to hide that it's a reciprocal link.

All this said, it is still good to have the reciprocal links. They are even better if they are highly relevant to your site and if they are well organized. And guess what? About 15-20% of my sales right now come from link partners sites. So, trading with partners who also make their links pages inviting to their customers/users - and make them easy to find things - and where they really do look like these are places you recommend, not just a list of names or banners in any order to help with se's - is still something that will do you good - even if se's quit giving you any credit.

Use it correctly - do your homework when you link - link with good anchor text (the words that actually do the linking) and your links will help you.

Now, for the rest of your question. I'm sure you have lots of links you are unaware of - because there ARE sites out there who look for certain types of sites to link with. I have sites that I add to my stores because I really DO recommend them and I do NOT require a reciprocal link. Guess what - you will get credit for these also if they are relevant and worthy.

Hope I've helped here some.

[davidundalicia]

Re: Are reciprocal links the way to go ???

Thanks beth....as usual you are on the ball.

edit: whats a 3 way link ?

[Bethers]

Re: Are reciprocal links the way to go ???

A three way link would be where someone - like me with more than one store - would say to you - I'll link A Child's Palace to mypalma if you would link mypalma to Pinata Palace. Then, in true 3 way fashion, Pinata Palace would place a link to A Child's Palace. Therefore there would be no links coming back to a site directly from the site it's linking to.

Some are actually trying to finagle the system this way. It's just a lot of work - and believe me - the computer systems Google and Yahoo and MSN have are better than anything people have been able to fool them with. They might get away with things for a short time - but it gets found out. And because of HOW people tried to link trade just for the se's, reciprocal linking lost some value - and I'm sure will continue to lose value - but I don't think will ever totally lose value if used correctly.

[Bruce Hewitt]

Re: Are reciprocal links the way to go ???

Thanks beth

[Karen Mac]

Re: Are reciprocal links the way to go ???

Just to Chime in with Beth, who by the way, we know each other from another forum, I would say 50% of my traffic comes from reciprocal linking, but even more than that, I also see links in search engines using the key words used in my link pages text coming back to me. So Keeping a tight rein on the links works.

Another popular linking trend is article writing and getting a link to you from articles you write. Blogging can be used as that kind of resource too. However, blogging is now getting spammed in the same manner as link farms, so its NOT what it used to be either, or for what it was originally intended for. Im working with articles and I do get HITS off those as well, on my stores, especially when they too are tightly themed to the content of my site.

Karen Mac

[davidundalicia]

Re: Are reciprocal links the way to go ???

50% is good indeed, but as you quite rightly point out, you must use with care and content.

[Vasili]

Re: Are reciprocal links the way to go ???

Relevancy is THE main word to remember in everything about website design.

Everything from composing unique and dynamic content that is reflected by the apporpriate use of "mirrored" Key Word and Page Titles, to complimentary reference (via text or links) on other web pages (yours or anothers') within the context or theme. Dynamic content is noticed by the uniqueness of the composition and whether or not it is 'static' or evolving. It is also defined by the logical or novel use of hyperlinks, and invalidated by the inapporpriate uses like "peppering" or as commonly attampted via Blogs, Forums, or "articles" injected everywhere.

You have to try to think as linear as possible, almost mathematically, when trying to understand SE methodology and to respond to the established framework rather than try to concoct a scheme to do and end-run around them. It is a perspective that should begin as you plan a website, even to the point of actually drawing out a pencilled flow chart to illustrate navigation, content development, functional fulfillment, etc. It is more than paying attention to continuity: it is simplifying logistics to naturally emphasize relevancy (purpose, even) of a website.

For instance, it would not be natural relevancy for a **** seller to comment on automobile generators, or to post a link to the grocery store, would it? But, mentioning leather manufacture and types, fashion trends, and posting a link to a stocking store would demonstrate not only relevancy but uniqueness of content that might be naturally ranked higher, and there is more than the commonly found brief descriptions of simply proffered products.....the SE's might even rank this site in a more important role of a resource until another more comparable site is found and then matrixed for "relevancy"! There is no single element of website design that can be manipulated successfully without immediate detriment to the whole.

There are a number of wonderful posts throughout the VH Forums that discuss tidbits of this large topic, and are worthy of careful consideration, even for established websites. My recurring point (which I seem to be very apt to re-color to offer another perspective for understanding) is that webdesign is a real process that requires focused planning and forethought in addition to precise and detailed implementation, and is a foundational effort I personally do not see being demonstrated nearly as much as it used to be......having grand expectations from poorly planned or non-maintained websites is the root cause for disappointment!

I highly suggest VodaHits as the way to affordably begin to optimize websites while participating in the process, learning by doing, if you will. This initial and effective program will widen the overall familiarity and *****en individual perspectives, allowing one to hone their efforts to perform the mechanics of SEO.

(In my opinion, of course!)

[Vasili]

Re: Are reciprocal links the way to go ???

Part 2

Effective website promotion includes (but is not entirely dependent on) a solid SEO program, which is often misunderstood completely, but should also be properly supported by effective uses of traditional marketing methods to achieve the best overall results. More often than not, today's websites are "promoted" solely via non-participatory methods and lack the vitality and profitability (if applicable) possible due to simple oversight and less than poor planning.

One of the hot-terms floating about nowadays is "cross-channel" marketing and how it is essential to any real qualified marketing plan. As if this is a new idea! Think of cross-channel marketing as saturation....direct mail, billboards, postcards, handing out business cards, newspaper ads - when used in concert for a single drive or promotion this IS cross-channel marketing. As part of a "plan" the continuity (and validity) of your marketing plan will emerge and be moldable to perfection.

It's what explains why you see GoDaddy's commercial at SuperBowl Halftime and enticing Buy.com ads on TV. It's why HSN spends millions each year promoting their online shopping, almost to the point of overkill with regard to their highly successful TV programming. It is also why you can recall your favorite eBay TV ad......

Of course, the simplest method of marketing is personal invitation or referral, and it is common sense to list your website on anything you can: from business cards to shopping bags, decals you give away to signs on windows, posting a blurb on the City Community Bulletin Board (online) to a listing in the school directory.....preponderance of opportunity creates conversion (visits, traffic) proportionately!

Search Engine Optimization, once fully understood and implemented with genuine commitment, should not be your single focus to developing online prominence. More likely, it is your "invited" visitors that will initiate your rise in natural ranking and actually support your website..... the rest is up to you to attract new visits via unique composition (the very purpose of SEARCH engines) within the parameters you are given.

Are you collecting email addresses to send out announcements, newsletters, and "specials"?
Do you regularly update your customer lists? Verify the info? HOW?
Ever think about how a Contest or Special online-only offer can do to increase not only traffic but awareness of your site?
Do you have a means to collect customer feedback, "thank yous'," suggestions, wish lists, or even complaints? Do you post them? Why not?
Have you thought about writing a regular "column" published online and for a local paper (paid for or not), possibly even for the "throw away" types to project a wider community exposure, and refer to your site?
Have you thought of sponsoring an event (any event...some only require very little money or even a simple prize) where you can display your banner with your website address prominently promoted?

There are countless ways to spur traffic to your website. New, unique, natural traffic is extremely important when considering overall initial ranking.

**Remember! Once you get people to your site, don't disappoint them with the quality of it's design or vitality, or they won't bother to return......

Just some more personal perspectives to benefit you as you elect.....

[rinahearts]

Re: Are reciprocal links the way to go ???

vasili where is part 3?

[rinahearts]

Re: Are reciprocal links the way to go ???

i like the stuff about the online contest thing i'm gonna use it on my website

[tenhats]

Re: Are reciprocal links the way to go ???

A lot of good advice. If I can add anything it would be that, if you want to get the utmost out of a link, make sure that the link to you on someones site is your company name, and not your URL.
Another word, my url is http://www.displaycasej.com, I always ask that the actual hyperlink be my company name "J-Display Case"
This increases the "credit" you get for the link.

[Vasili]

Re: Are reciprocal links the way to go ???

A lot of good advice. If I can add anything it would be that, if you want to get the utmost out of a link, make sure that the link to you on someones site is your company name, and not your URL.
Another word, my url is http://www.displaycasej.com, I always ask that the actual hyperlink be my company name "J-Display Case"
This increases the "credit" you get for the link.

Not true.

This may be applicable in some Affiliate programs, but the concept of reciprocal linking is based upon two distinctly ranked sites sharing relevancy, thereby elevating that relevancy to greater search dynamics to the search engines proper.

There is no "credit" awarded, especially based on Company Name vs. a URL. If anything, indexed content (Company name) in a URL may be granted greater recognition from elevated hard-links on relevancy that becomes more viable to the engines!!!

Example: Joe's Bagels links up with Julie's Jelly. Both sites have distinct rank, and agree to share links (based on complimentary products/Content). Both may share the key word "breakfast" somewhere in their combinations, and as more peole use the search engine for "breakfast" items, both sites will appear before non-reciprocally linked sites, if they both pay attention to the real SEO construct elements, as this delivery of "breakfast" sites becomes more popular solution for searchers, therefore SE's rank these sites are more "relevant" beyond their original construct. Understand?

[Vasili]

Re: Are reciprocal links the way to go ???

PS: Just so you don't think I'm hammering you above, there is one tidbit of info I must acknowledge to make something clearer:

Search Engines "read" hyperlinks in only one manner - just as they are entered in http strings. It doesn't matter if it is an image, text link, straight string, or object. SE's "see" the link and immediately "compare" it to cached information, starting first at the URL it points to for validation (SE's may actually abort ranking scours if links are invalid....that's why you see "broken links" error messages in some reports). Thus, the foundation of my explanation above.

The suggestion that links be textual based (company name) or need be "one way" (in original post) for extra "credit" is baseless. It does, however, allude to another aspect of relevancy pertaining to reciprocal links: a valid link on Site A pointing to a relevant Site B's indexed/ranked page that is of high relevant Content will result in favorable positioning for subsequent Searches by web visitors....the SE's see this as a mathematical predictability of greater value search results, all based on relevancy. THAT'S what they are all about: providing the best sources and perponderance of "esteemed" information upon demand to their clients, and your "Rank" is only an indication of how you fare in constructing your relevancy!!

Sure, a visitor finds it easier to "read" your company name in text, but the SE's don't value that more or less than a banner or an image that has a valid link embedded.

The SE's would think twice about Joe's Bagels being linked to Sam's *****, however, valid links and content notwithstanding. The SE's would probably flag both sites as "non-conforming," and possibly even counterfeit construct..."It's not nice to fool Mother Nature, and worse to try fooling Grandpa Google!"
This brings up another chapter dealing with "Link-Seeding" as is so currently mis-understood with regard to Blogs, Forums, and Journals.....Stay Tuned!

[tenhats]

Re: Are reciprocal links the way to go ???

Hmm, I guess its what being read, a report generated by a bot or a visit by a human editor, another url to look at by a visitor or a company name.
A report dosent show a text link or a url link, it shows a link, which generates the same credit for a link. A company name seen by a human editor shows not only as a link, but as a popularity link.
There is a differance, and it does count. You have many pages on your site all of which have a url, the internet is clogged with url's. A url link is just that another url link.
But a company name link , a text link generates popularity for that name increasing its popularity on the net more than a url link and counting as a more substantial listing on someone elses website than just another url.
This brings us to the point of relavancy, a company name link is more relavant to 'Popularity" than a url link.
(I dont know why you would go negative on this Vasil since you say you think they both are the same anyway. Yea if someone has a broken link its a broken link, what's that got to do with it?)