Organic Search Engine Optimisation / Optimization (SEO) Blog
Link Exchanges: A Natural Balance. Dont write them off just yet!
SEO Blurb, Tips / Reminders July 16th, 2007Interesting Webmaster World debate discussing whether link exchanges still work.
Google’s Matt Cutts is referenced as saying:
“Reciprocal links by themselves aren’t automatically bad, but we’ve communicated before that there is such a thing as excessive reciprocal linking.”
Matt Cutts
Matt Cutts
Cutts to the point (I couldn’t resist)! So as with a lot of things in life, lets not be excessive, balanced and selective moderation is the answer. Genuine and relevant link exchanges are a good viable way to trade traffic and ranking value.
I’m planning a more detailed investigation on link exchanges, lets not write them off just yet.
nothing wrong with link exchange when you do it for the end user in low volume. We have used Linksmanager for years to help us link with other sites. our site does quite well both in terms of the traffic we get from the link exchanges, and whatever link juice we get from them and how it affects our search returns.
Cynthia Manglam said on July 17th, 2007 at 2:10 pm
I’ve been following Cutts for some time. You obviously need to take what he says seriously. The trick is interpreting what he means!? I’m assuming his statement about reciprocal links means that they have some value but that Google has some way of identifying sites that cross the line.
mfleischner (1 comments.) said on July 22nd, 2007 at 1:54 am
Thanks for the comments.
Cynthia I think you hit the nail on the head, “when you do it for the end user in low volume”
People are always looking for shortcuts, back in the day when keyword stuffing was prolific within Meta tags etc. Keeping your site’s integrity and credibility will naturally help its relevancy.
mfleischner thanks for your input also. I agree interpretation of industry leaders and insiders is integral to ensuring the successful execution of SEO strategies. Your blog is a very good resource, and we seem to share the seem ethos of cutting through the waffle and grey areas to get to the juicy stuff. Excuse the “Cutt…ing” reference again, purely coincidental pun
Your comments are greatly welcome, and help us all grow our knowledge further. I look forward to receiving more.
Sean (1 comments.) said on July 22nd, 2007 at 1:25 pm