Forum Moderators: martinibuster
I remember the day that link exchanges between sites were soo much different where webmasters linked to sites that complemented there website without directly competing of course and by analysing the quality of the site they could decide if they would get at least reasonable traffic from the other site. Even webmasters were happy once for a one way link! They would happily link to another site because they thought it was a good resource to their visitors.
Here's a recent example of webmasters being blinded by PageRank:
I had just launched a brand new site packed full of original content and was a non-commercial site complemented by a few textual adds to gain back the hosting fee's. As any webmaster would do, I went on the search for sites that may be interested in a link exchange or if I deemed the site "worthy" and helpfull for me visitors, I would provide a one way link without a batter of an eyelid.
However the replies I recieved were all very similar as they noticed I had no PageRank and immiedietly thought I was blacklisted from Google and if they linked to my website they were worried because of the "Linking to bad neighbourhood" rule. I explained to them that this was a brand new website and yet to recieve PageRank from Google but they still slammed the door in my face and said "Come back when you have good PageRank!"
As you would imagine I was not happy, but should have saw this coming because I know how webmasters can be when it comes to their rankings.
Now months on I have 1000's of unique visitors per day and a PageRank of 7 (if that matters) The webmasters I requested reciprocal links from before are now all clamoring for link exchanges. You know what I say? Not a chance. The reason for this? No it's not because I have a PageRank of 7 it's because I view these webmasters as petty and wouldn't work with them if they payed me.
How I wish for the glory days of pre-pagerank, the internet would be a much better place and will make the internet back to how the creators originally hoped for.
Remember PageRank is only a very small part of ranking high on Google, don't lose out on traffic building reciprocals like the ones in my example, they are now kicking themselves. And it's not just only for new sites you should give leverage to, it's all sites. If you think that you may get traffic from reciprocating with a site or even it may be usefull to your users link to them!. Remember it's all about caring for your visitors.
Happy visitors = Repeat visitors + Word of mouth visitors.
Xcandyman
Nevertheless, it's still an issue. The only solution is to point some of your own links into the link pages and some other links into the home page. Then wait.
1) Giving you PR for when you really launch and start a link campaign.
2) Shorten the lag time / sandbox / quarantine effect.
This is pretty much standard operating procedure for me now after I nail down the high level architecture/layout.
I remember the day that link exchanges between sites were soo much different where webmasters linked to sites that complemented there website without directly competing of course and by analysing the quality of the site they could decide if they would get at least reasonable traffic from the other site.
Ah, the good ole' days. Back before PageRank was a household term in the SEO industry. Back before all the link directories started popping up that were set up for one main purpose, to influence PageRank.
Until that little green bar disappears from existence, this problem will be ongoing. Many newcomers to the industry seem to be starting with a year 2000 mentality. Many of us have been down that path already and know what it has in store for us. Many of those newcomers don't have a clue.
Until that little green bar disappears from existence, this problem will be ongoing.
What about that purple bar from Y! that turns on from time to time? Who knows maybe M$ will have 4 color bar.
If G doesn't kill it soon don't know if they'll be able to later on.
