Reciprocal linking is not required, but is appreciated.

To require or not require...?

[Eathan]

I've been building a niche directory as part of one of my sites. Thus far I've not required reciprocal linking, stating simply: "Reciprocal linking is not required, but is appreciated" next to the field and the following on the "Thank You" page:

"Please consider linking back to [my site].

Reciprocal linking is not required, but is greatly appreciated and helps build the value of placement in the directory. Feel free to use the following:

[suggested link title and description]"

Thus far, the reciprocal link field has been blank on every submission. Now I'm considering making it a requirement. Any thoughts?

Other factors to consider: the site is relatively young, has no PR and little traffic, but will get there. It's been well received and gets a lot of energy invested and frequent updates.

[edited by: martinibuster at 11:47 pm (utc) on Sep. 13, 2004]
[edit reason] No Specifics Please. Thanks. [/edit]

[flood6]

I know that when I find a site that does not require a reciprocal link for a site submission, but asks nicely for one, I think, "Sweet a one way link!"

I'm afraid if you want to get reciprocal links from this crowd, you're going to have to require it.

[willybfriendly]

If the directory has sufficient entries, then go ahead and make the change. Then the question becomes how to get existing listings to give a link.

I am in the midst of rewriting a directory script on a site. The plan is to create 3 levels of listings:

1 - A listing of contact info without a link - free
2 - A listing of contact info with a link - backlink required
3 - A listing with description and contact info - paid

Everyone in the directory currently will be contacted about the changes. Sites with links will stay at level 2, but no links will degrade to level 3.

We'll see how it goes...

It took nearly a year to develop the directory to a point that I even considered taking this route.

WBF

[chrisnrae]

I echo flood - when I come upon a directory that doesn't require a link, I don't give one. Some people may be enticed for "higher placement" to give you a reciprocal, but I'd imagine most webmasters are out for the backlink.

You could always make reciprocals required, unless they wish to pay a small fee. This way you'll still monetarily benefit from providing one way links and find that a lot of webmasters will still go the free route by placing a reciprocal link.

[martinibuster]

Sweet a one way link!

I couldn't have said it better than that. ;) Y

It's a problem. On one hand, I enjoy listing good websites because it makes a directory useful (well, I guess that's obvious, duh), but after a certain point you have to play it for the recips.

I'm doing a couple directories, and basically I just seed it with some listings: some linked, some unlinked. Then play it for backlinks.

[Eathan]

Yeah, I think I'll put another few weeks into fleshing out the directory, then require recip or small listing/update fee from that point on.

WBF, I'd appreciate hearing how your new system works for you if you don't mind popping back or dropping me a PM.

[rfung]

Since this thread is populated mainly with directory style folks,

I'm considering doing a couple of directories - what are the ways one can make money through a site like this besides adsense? do you charge for 'premium listings' , what else?

What kind of information do you get from the entries? just site name and description?

-sorry,very new to directory sites.

[willybfriendly]

I'm considering doing a couple of directories - what are the ways one can make money through a site like this besides adsense? do you charge for 'premium listings' , what else?

Everything is going to start with traffic IMHO. Can't charge for a listing if the directory isn't getting traffic, nor will adsense pay anything if there is no traffic.

Once there is demonstrable traffic, then all things are possible.

WBF

[CathyM]

I attract listings to my niche directory by high page rank (PR 5 or 6 on all directory pages) and good SERPS. I offer 3 types of submissions:
1)reciprocal with 48 hour review
2)express review which is a paid listing with 48 hour review
3)free with 30 day review, no guarantees.

The majority of my submissions come in as reciprocal (about 60%) with the rest being split between paid and free. I seeded with some high visibility sites to get it started and since then have attracted some high ranking sites. I expect the reciprocal linking to pay off with increased PR if Google will ever show it to us.

[jamesa]

Honestly, there are so many small directories that you just can't recip each one. I wouldn't require it. You'll have a much better resource if you get a lot of submissions anyway.

Charging or requiring a recip for premium placement is a different story. No problem there.

[asomani]

Just trying to clear a few doubts.

My niche is very narrow. That makes it difficult to get many reciprocal links from the same niche. Is it safe to create to reciprocal link directory so that the scope of my approach can be widened? I plan to create a link directory in my links page, where i keep collections of good links from different niches. Please advise if it is okay to link to different types of web sites.

[martinibuster]

>>>Please advise if it is okay to link to different types of web sites.

Well, it's not my practice to do that because it starts to look like a free for all. In general, it's better to have a bunch of different types of sites linking to you without you reciprocating.

It is my practice to link out to similarly related sites. One way to get an idea is to go to the appropriate cat in dmoz for your website, then go up the tree. There are always related sites, and you really can't run out of potential link partners.

If that still doesn't help you, another strategy is to build your own similar sites with good content, .org is best, and create a link magnet, something people will be comfortable linking to. Then point anchors to yourself. Link building by proxy.

[asomani]

Thanks Martinibuster.

More ideas from other members are also appreciated.

[dirkz]

MB, are reciprocal link directories still a way for ranking for keywords?

I ask this because it somehow eliminates the idea of "authorities". And btw, if I were to design a search algo, I would definitely discard most reciprocal links (not penalize it, just not use it for ranking).