jomaxx - 10:40 pm on Apr 18, 2003 (gmt 0)

This problem predates Google, quite frankly. Back when I was doing reciprocal links, I received hundreds of requests for links from webmasters who own extremely low traffic sites, who hide their links pages, who have links pages with zillions of sites listed, who have links pages where you have to drill down several levels, etc. etc. IMO they're trying to get more than they give up, not realizing that the Web is not a zero-sum game. I often deleted requests from sites where I couldn't give a damn whether I was listed or not.

My suggestion: If you want a link from a more powerful site, offer them something worthwhile in return, some reason other than pure charity why they should bother. Offer a link on your home page, or maybe make their site a "recommended" site with a mini-review. That sort of thing.