Reciprocal linking..

which anchortext to use

[Istvan]

I would like to address the topic of reciprocal linking. When going after links, what is best to do:
1. ask for a link with anchortext like "widgets", to target keyword = widgets
2. ask for a link anchortext like "buy widgets online".
Let's say you get 500 links pointing to your site, by using example nr 1 or 2. Does the amount of reciprocal links put more value when using option 2, if you want to be found by the keyword "widgets"? Apparently if you use option nr 1, you would rank very well for "widgets" but would that change for "widgets online" (those keywords aren't used in the anchortext)?

Any input on this one?

Istvan

[airpal]

Yes, the more keywords you put, the more diluted your rank. So, be very careful in choosing exactly the specific keyword/phrase that you want to rank best for. From inside your site, you can always make your own internal links with anchor text for less important keywords/phrases. Hope that helps.

[nakulgoyal]

Correct. Get as many links as you can/ 500 is good. Depends how many of them are PR3+!

anyways, the more you get the better it is. Get links but be careful. NO FFA's, No Link Farms, No Guestbook links.

:-)

Try always one way linking then reciprocal. Play safe.

[pmac]

Do both. It's not a good idea to have 100% of your inbound link text to be the same across the board.

[dougs]

Agree with Pmac here.

Try not to get 10 or so types of wording linking in.

Doug

[dougs]

Sorry I meant.

Get 10 or so types of good anchor text links and use them all.....it looks more natural.

Doug

[Marketing Guy]

It's difficult to offer a general answer. What works for one keyword may not work for another.

I run a site - www.bluewidgets.com for example.

I always used the link text "Blue Widgets".

But my site is also related to "Red Widgets", a highly competitive keyword.

I optimised for this keyword, but without anchor text, I was sitting around no 30ish (out of 6.5 million).

Recently I had some anchor text changed to say "Red Widgets". Lol and behold, we are up to number 15, after only a few links changed.

So not only are we number 1 for "Blue Widgets" (our niche), but we are rising for "Red Widgets" (the broader market).

So I would say, variation and experimentation can lead to improve your rankings in different areas. If you are already number 1 for a keyword, 100 more links using that anchor text isnt going to improve on your rankings. But they could boost you in another area.

Scott

[Istvan]

Thanks all for replying. I guess I will do a mix of the 2. Like keywords as "widgets" "buy widgets" "widgets online".
Probably I will rank well for the many keyphrases. I guess link development is the key to success :)

Istvan

[Reflect]

I have always offered several ways to link to me.

Which keywords I use in the text and title depends on which part of the site the link points to.

I offer these on a "link to me page" and let them (being the source) choose. It might delute me a little but I am going by the motto of throwing a big net (that is still germain to my site).

Brian