145 replies to this topic

[theseoguru]

Well Guys, Goole can never stop reciprocal linking because its algo
works on hypertectual linking. By stopping reciprocal linking they can not disturb thier algorithm. But yes google is giving much preference too relevant partners. If I look for sharp relevant partner then I found them my competitors. How can one give link to their competitors.
So its my past experience exchange links with those sites from where you can get the traffic. For example if I have an astrology site then I would like to give links to matrimonial sites and jobs site.

[ewo]

Find the courage to just link out without requiring or asking people to link back.  Be a useful resource that your visitors want to return to.

You'll get the kinds of links you need if you just trust people to appreciate your growing store of good content.

I, for one, would like to endorse this sentiment. A few months ago, having got my own site into some sort of shape, I wrote to authors, academics, successful business people in my specific field (of management consultancy) to make them aware of my site, and to invite them to consider submitting an original article that they felt might be appropriate. The response was mixed. Some agreed - particularly those with new books out! Some said no. Some said they hadn't got the time - one of whom agreed to do an interview over the phone instead. One approached me! I have others in the pipeline.

I didn't ask for links back, but had a browse around the web today. I've seen one well-known and well-thought-of blog now pointing their own readers to two specific articles on my site (and recommending the articles that sit alongside). One of the publishing companies devotes a paragraph to my "library page". A "friend" of another author points to the interview in their own, personal, web site.

Now, how this helps me, I'm not sure, but I feel good in the sense that people are linking to my site because they are encouraging their own visitors to view what they themselves describe as pages of worth.

Well done me!

Edited by ewo, 12 June 2006 - 11:16 AM.

[torka]

ewo! Now that is a good link-building strategy, even if you didn't necessarily approach it as a link-building exercise (and you got some good web site content out of it, too boot). Well done, indeed!

--Torka

[Randy]

Well done indeed !

It's one very good example of how one takes a site and starts to build it into an illusive Authority site.

[ewo]

ewo! Now that is a good link-building strategy, even if you didn't necessarily approach it as a link-building exercise (and you got some good web site content out of it, too boot). Well done, indeed!

--Torka

Yes, absolutely, Torka, and thank you. And it's very relevant content, which serves to bolster my core content on my site. The great thing is that none of the articles, though they contain specific keywords do not look contrived, but rather fit quite naturally on the site.

Well done indeed !

It's one very good example of how one takes a site and starts to build it into an illusive Authority site. 

The fact that the most recent contributor wrote to me to ask if he could submit something is testament to that.

[St0n3y]

We've had good success simply asking others if we can place a content article on their site. We've tried ewo's methods to less success, but that could be a communication problem, but we are always testing.

As for recips... don't be afraid of them. Good recips still have value in Google, but more importantly can be a source of traffic AND the primer for good natural links.

[Mike Levin]

For reciprocal links to actually hurt, you'd probably have to go over some crazy-high threshold and have circular manipulative-looking shapes in your link topology. So, while reciprocal links probably don't help quite as much as they used to, I doubt they'll hurt unless you're doing some nasty automation.

[Debra]

I've seen one well-known and well-thought-of blog now pointing their own readers to two specific articles on my site (and recommending the articles that sit alongside). One of the publishing companies devotes a paragraph to my "library page

This may be an instance where a thoughtful thank you note to the blog owner will make your budding link partnership even stronger.

Consider asking them if they'd like to be added to a list of sites who receive advance warning/introduction of new material as it's added to your "library". Keep your site in their mind and brand your name positively in their minds.

[ewo]

Good call, I think I will. But I stress, this was never intended as a linkbuilding strategy

[Jill]

Exactly Ewo! Which is why it works so well.

Google would prefer that nobody had a link building strategy. And really, there's no reason to if you do the types of things you're talking about.

Nothing beats having something worth linking to and making sure those who would be interested know about it.

[Debra]

I understand it was never about link building ewo, but since you've done it and gotten positive results, use it.

Online - it's all about loyalty.

[Debra]

But yes google is giving much preference too relevant partners. If I look for sharp relevant partner then I found them my competitors. How can one give link to their competitors

Instead of looking for link partners within your competitors, consider researching for sites your customers also frequent. Makes sense to secure links from complimentary niches and industries where your buying public may also visit.

For example, if you sell restaurant equipment I'd exchange/buy/barter for links from culinary schools, restaurants, food vendors, etc. before I EVER went knocking on a competitor's door. I don't know the restaurant equipment business but it makes sense to me that chefs, cooks and bus boys looking to buy pots and pans would also visit those types of sites.

[ToolInventor]

Instead of looking for link partners within your competitors, consider researching for sites your customers also frequent.  Makes sense to secure links from complimentary niches and industries where your buying public may also visit.

Very smart point. VERY. I never could understand why trying to shake the soul out of the competition (which is very hard) if you can simply think the way your site visitors will think, think what else can be of value for them, and catch them there.

[Janet21]

"Keep in mind that our algorithms can distinguish natural links from unnatural links."

I don't purchase links, but if I purchased a one-way link on a relevant site to appear in a section of their content, how can google possibly distinguish this is not a true natural link? Yes, links on a links page are obviously not natural links, but other content links, can google really tell the difference? If so, how? Or are they just addressing reciprocal linking with the above statement?

[Scottie]

Block level analysis is one way they can tell. It's pretty easy to tell which "chunks" of code include the navigation, which are the <paid> footer links and which lists of links are simply reciprocal link pages.

If, if someone sold you a single link on a page of editorial content that was somewhat relevant, you'd have a "natural" looking link that was paid. Most are too lazy to do that though, because that would also mean really thinking about a way to make the link useful!

Compare:

Joe's Camera Accessories
We sell camera accessories and lots of other stuff.  We have great low prices and lots of selection and we ship fast.  Buy from us!

Buy Viagra | Best Gifts For Babies | Inexpensive Corporate Logos

with this

Joe's Camera Accessories
We sell camera accessories and lots of other stuff.  We have great low prices and lots of selection and we ship fast.  Buy from us!

If you are buying accessories for the camera you bought for your new baby, don't forget to visit Best Gifts For Babies.  They can frame those photos for lasting memories!

See a difference?

However 1) it's too much work and 2) sites would have to actually screen their advertisers and only accept those that they could make work with the site in a way that didn't make them look too stupid.