16 replies to this topic

[harish318]

Will SE penalise if they find links of Link Exchanging websites on our website?

Some Link Exchange websites say they will approve our application only if they find the link of their website on our website.

As I do not want to get penalised I would like to get some feedback on this.

Harish

[OldWelshGuy]

HI Harish, this is one of those grey areas unfortunately.

You can get penalised for linking to bad sites, but the crux is how to decide if a site is bad, and more importantly, how can you protect yourself from them going bad in the future.

When you link to a site you are recommending them. So ask yourself the question 'would I recommend this site if I did not want the link' ie, is the site a good resource!

If the answer is no, then don't link. Also take a look at the ort of sites they are linking with. Are they linking to PRN sites, warez, mp3, gambling etc. are the links on target and relevant to the content of the site you are linking to, or is it just a huge set of links of all sorts?

There really is no black and white answer here, you just have to look at what the site is like now, and in what direction you think the site may go in the future, then go with your gut instinct. My way is that if I have to consider should I be linking, then I should not be linking.

[harish318]

Thanks OldWelshGuy. But I would link to linkmarket.net, linkalizer.com, linkexchanged.com, linkateer.com ..... and they expect me to have their link on my site. Can I do so without getting penalised.

[Jill]

If you think those sites will add value to your visitor, then it's fine. If it doesn't make sense to point your visitor to those pages, then you may want to rethink adding them.

Jill

[harish318]

No Jill I am asking whether I can put the links of linkmarket, linkexchanged etc. on my site without getting penalised.

I am not asking whether I should put links of the websites listed in these link exchange websites.

Also I add all my links manually.

[SearchRank]

Anytime you link to a known link farmer, link exchange broker, etc. - whatever you want to call them, then yes, you put your site at risk to be penalized.

You can never be penalized by sites linking to you as that is not in your control but you can be held responsible for who you link to.

[Jill]

I understand, Harish.

But that's the answer to your question. If you think links to those linking programs will benefit your visitors (because that's the reason why we have links on our sites), then of course it's fine to put them there.

If you're only doing it because it's a requirement, but not a benefit to your site users, then it's a bad move.

Don't know what the search engines will do; it doesn't matter as it's not really a concern since your users are the ones who buy your stuff (presumably).

[chrishirst]

I'm not Jill, but the answer is going to be the same. Is it of use to your visitors to see who you buy or swap links with.

You are obviously unsure of the linking arrangement so you already know the answer and because you are considering the SEs first you are already looking from the wrong perspective.

[lyn]

You have to ask yourself what they're really offering, too. If it's just a link farm and obviously a link farm with no real value added on their site, then the SE's will also know it's a link farm and the links won't be worth anything for your site either.

As the others have said, if it's of no value to your visitors, it's really of no value to you!

L.

[OldWelshGuy]

Harish, I will just repeat what I posted earlier

ask yourself, 'would I recommend this site if I did not want the link'

I think you know the answer is no but are looking to get a reason to link to them.

If you are not 100% happy with the content of the site, and the outbound links on the site that you are linking to, then don't link. You are recommending this site to your clients, they are going to associate the quality of YOUR site with the quality of THAT site you have linked to.

[Debra]

Thanks OldWelshGuy. But I would link to linkmarket.net, linkalizer.com, linkexchanged.com, linkateer.com ..... and they expect me to have their link on my site. Can I do so without getting penalised.

Harish - I think we're all wondering why you'd want to put these links on your site, is it a requirement they have to using their services?

I took a quick look at one of the sites you mentioned and it doesn't appear to be a link farm, but I also can't find where it says you have to add the link back.

[harish318]

I took a quick look at one of the sites you mentioned and it doesn't appear to be a link farm, but I also can't find where it says you have to add the link back.

Thanks to all.

Debra I have not listed all the Link Exchange sites here. I do agree some of them don't expect you to link to them but most of them so expect you to do so.

Check this link
www.linkateer.com/link-exchange.asp

It is clearly mentioned that they will approve a site only if they find their link on my site.

Harish

[magellan]

Why not just hunt down sites to exchange links with your site? Then link to the ones that you like and provide value to your visitors.

[harish318]

Why not just hunt down sites to exchange links with your site? Then link to the ones that you like and provide value to your visitors.

It takes a lot of time doing so. Also one is not sure whether the site is regularly monitored. The response time from is very long. In these Link Exchange sites when one adds his/her website we are sure they are looking for reciprocal links.

[glengara]

Write a page on the topic of the link exchange phenomenon, and include any links you need to in the content.