Menu: Link Exchange & Reciprocal Linking
- Questions and answers about reciprocal linking and LinksManager.com
- 1. What is reciprocal linking?
- 2. I've heard that Google no longer considers link popularity in its ranking algorithms or that it considers it as a negative factor. Is this true?
- 3. How can I learn more about linking?
- 4. Won't swapping links with other sites drive traffic away from my site?
- 5. Must I require that my link-swap partners reciprocate my link?
- 6. How do I find other websites to swap links with?
- 7. If I have a LinksManager-powered links page, can I swap links with a non-LinksManager-powered links page?
- 1. What is reciprocal linking?
- Reciprocal linking is a process in which two webmasters with complementary or relevant content display hyperlinks to each others' websites on their own websites. Reciprocal linking profits both parties equally by providing an additional way for potential customers to find sites and benefits site visitors by giving them one-click access to richer content.
The reciprocal linking process produces three main benefits for webmasters and users:
1) Increased website value. Adding a links page featuring high-quality, carefully chosen links that are useful to your users is a smart way to create content, value, and interactivity with your customers. In addition, neatly organized links pages full of interesting, useful and relevant links will add substantial stickiness to your site as your visitors return to find more relevant and useful resources.
2) Increased website traffic - The more times a link to your website appears on other websites, the more visitors your own website will receive. Website visitors see your link on other websites and click it to navigate to your site. If you link with other sites in your genre, the traffic you receive from these links will be pre-qualified customers interested in your site's product or services.
3) Assistance in better search engine ranking - Most search engine algorithms, including Google, use link popularity as one of the factors taken into account when ranking websites in search results. Links pointing to your website from other quality, related websites can help improve your website's search engine ranking and not having links can lower it.
Updated: December 28, 2007
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- 2. I've heard that Google no longer considers link popularity in its ranking algorithms or that it considers it as a negative factor. Is this true?
- Absolutely not.
Google's most recent (summer, 2007) official statement on How To Create a Google-Friendly Site says "links help our crawlers find your site and can give your site greater visibility in our search results ... Google counts the number of votes a page receives as part of its PageRank assessment, interpreting a link from page A to page B as a vote by page A for page B. Votes cast by pages that are themselves 'important' weigh more heavily and help to make other pages 'important.' "
What Google does object to are "unnatural links" between irrelevant or spammy sites and "linking schemes" which automatically add bulk qualities of dubious links to websites in an attempt to unethically manipulate rankings.
Fortunately, LinksManager uses patented, proprietary technology to make it virtually impossible for anyone to inadvertently violate Google and other major search-engine linking guidelines. This security layer enables you to profit from all the direct and indirect benefits of reciprocal linking without any of the risks typically present when using other, less sophisticated, link-management applications.
Updated: December 28, 2007
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- 3. How can I learn more about linking?
- For tips, hints, and step-by-step guides to productive, ethical linking, visit the detailed, easy-to-understand Linking Schoolsection included with your LinksManager.com account. This section contains articles, shortcuts, and insider tricks on creating a successful linking campaign in a progressive and time-efficient manner.
LinksManager also provided information on using such exclusive LinksManager features as Linklets, LinkBlogs and the LinksManager Browser Toolbar. In addition, signing up for LinksManager service gives you access to an exclusive newsletter filled with current information and links on the world of website promotion and linking.
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- 4. Won't swapping links with other sites drive traffic away from my site?
- No. If someone visits your website and is favorably impressed by what they find they will be back. In almost all cases, a robust, useful links page or pages will be a positive factor in generating end-user appeal for your site. Properly selected link partners are not competitors, they are resources. The information on your link partners' sites adds additional customer value to your site and gives visitors a powerful reason to return.
When you swap links with other websites, you receive traffic from those other sites -- new users who have never been to your site before. This produces more repeat traffic for you as those new users bookmark your site for a return visit.
Because reciprocal linking -- the ability to "travel" from one place to a related site via a simple mouse click -- is part of the internet's core structure, it is mutually beneficial to both parties even when the two websites are focused on the same genre. For example, if you have a site that sells dog toys and you know of another site that sells dog food, you could swap links with each other since the two sites are complementary without being competitive. That's the beauty of linking.
Updated: December 28, 2007
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- 5. Must I require that my link-swap partners reciprocate my link?
- No. You should always establish links sites based on what's best for your website visitors.
If a webmaster contacts you seeking a link from your site to their site, ask yourself "Does this resource benefit my end users?" If the answer is YES, link to the site regardless of reciprocation. If the site requesting a link has no value to your users, linking to it could give your link directory the appearance of being irrelevant or less than useful.
Unlike many other link-management programs, LinksManager, being editor-based, always gives you the ultimate authority over what sites you do and do not link to, complying fully with search engine guidelines.
Updated: December 28, 2007
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- 6. How do I find other websites to swap links with?
- There are innumerable ways to find and approach relevant potential link partners.
One very easy method available to LinksManager.com users free of charge is LinkPartners.com's categorized directory of websites -- each of which has been certified to comply with web and SE linking standards -- that trade reciprocal links with other sites.
For LinksManager users, LinkPartners.com works with LinksManager to allow semi-automated link requests with just a few mouse clicks. All link swap requests must be manually initiated and approved by a human.
To utilize this service, logon to LinksManager.com using your LinksManager user ID and password. Then click FIND LINK PARTNERS from your account control menu. As you browse this directory of sites that swap links, you can begin adding them directly to you account by using the "Add Link" feature. If the other site is also a LinksManager customer (chain link icon), you can choose a category on their site where you'd like your link placed, and your link will appear in the other customers "Pending Links." Emails will be sent to all requested link trades on your behalf expressing your desire to trade links.
See LinkPartners.com/faq for more information.
You can also add links to your site by importing them. LinksManager's import utility will allow you to point to an existing links page and import the links from it. The import utility doesn't spider or crawl multiple pages or import email addresses. It will import the URL and any following descriptive text. You also have the option of editing the link data prior to confirming the import. Adding links with LinksManager's "Quick Add" tool is another quick way to add individual links -- even affiliate links.
Every LinksManager account also has its own live add-link page. As other webmasters complete this form, you are notified that a new link has been submitted to your account and can choose to accept it or deny it with a single click. This unique add-link page is one of the best ways to source links for your site. Anytime a webmaster emails you asking you to link with their site, point them to your add link form.
Finally, another great way to locate link partners is by visiting general websites or directory sites which have links or resource pages that come up high in search-engine results. For example, if you sell automotive accessories, Google "automotive accessories links" and you will get a list of sites which match your keywords and also have links. Also try other keywords (such as "resources" instead of "links" and try other search engines. The results are practically limitless if you keep track of which keywords and search engines you've worked.
If you have other unique ways of locating link partners, let us know and we will add it to this FAQ.
Updated: December 28, 2007
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- 7. If I have a LinksManager-powered links page, can I swap links with a non-LinksManager-powered links page?
- Absolutely. LinksManager users can swap links with any other website, regardless of whether or not the prospective link partner uses LinksManager. Just direct the other webmaster to your add link page to his site and fill out your add-link form so you can add yours to his.
Updated: December 28, 2007
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