Anyone use link exchange sites?

[dickbaker]

I came across a site where you submit your site under a particular category and they hook you up with link partners. From what I understand, you don't have to link to those who respond if you don't want to, and vice versa.

It's a free service. I wish I could mention the name of the site, but that violates WW's rules.

At any rate, has anyone else tried sites like these? Is there a downside to such sites?

[martinibuster]

There is no reason to discuss specific link exchange websites.

It is far more interesting to discuss these in general.

Please please please:

• NO SELF PROMOTION
• Let's not discuss specific services

Thanks. ;)

This is a great question. Any thoughts?

• Is there any harm with dealing with link matchmakers?
• Is it any different from a buddy hooking you up with some link partners?
• Do you believe Google will penalize you?

[dickbaker]

Thanks for giving me some latitude, Martinibuster. And also thanks for allowing the topic. (Sorry for mentioning a specific site the other day).

As I see it, if a service like those referred to lets you pick and choose links from sites that are relevant to your niche, and refuse those that are irrelevant, that shouldn't be a problem. From what I've learned here on WW, I don't want a widgets site linking to my baubles site.

My concerns about such linking services would be that there's a possibility of too many incoming links in too short a period (doesn't look natural), that some "bad neighborhood" sites could slip under the radar, or that this kind of link service is simply too good to be true.

After looking at all my competitors' inbound links, it's pretty obvious that some are using some dubious linking software or services. Some of these sites are showing up for search terms that are way off base. I've found competitors' links (i.e, "rock-solid industrial-strength all-steel nuclear bomb widgets") showing up on sites for "fuzzy wuzzy huggable stuffed widgets."

Just trying to find out if there's a way to get releveant inbound links without running afoul of the rules. Spending entire weekends cultivating good, relevant links is fine but, man, it's time-consuming.

[graywolf]

I've used one of these sites, and it's been pretty helpful. You can join for free, but the paid subscrptions gives you more features. The expense is pretty minimal ($20) and well worth it IMHO. You have to monkey with the settings to keep the irrelevant requests to a minimum, once you get that licked, I've found it to be very helpful and a big timesaver. Using multiple tabs in firefox I increased usability, and have gotten it down to half a dozen or so decent recip requests in about 10 minutes twice a week.

One thing I would be careful of is having multiple sites with the same theme there. It doesn't seem that you would be able to develop a "unique" enough set of backlinks. However having a site about "apples" and another about "oranges" seems to be okay.

I have a favorite I've been using for about 6 months and am very pleased with them (wish I had more). So far I haven't had a problem with SE's, but I stay pretty close with on topic links. As far as the SE's opinion of them, I can't say for certain. I know they advise against perticipating in any link popularity schemes. So how close do you want want to get to the fire and are you wiling to suffer the consequences if you get burned.

[dickbaker]

Thanks for the input, Graywolf. I signed up for the service yesterday, but so far all I've received are link requests from sites far removed from my niche topic.

If I review each site before accepting the link exchange (assuming I ever get any links), I can't see how it would be different than what I'm doing now: searching for relevant sites and emailing the webmaster with a link exchange request.

If you'd be willing to share the name of the site you use by stickying me, I'd be interested to know what it is. It's very possible we're talking about the same site.

Thanks again,
Dick

[amrit]

<snip>

[edited by: martinibuster at 5:22 am (utc) on Nov. 26, 2004]
[edit reason] No stickies. Thanks. [/edit]

[dickbaker]

<snip>
However, I need to say this about the site's service: I don't want links from sites not related to the theme of mine, so I went in and set my preferences to get links from sites that are even remotely associated with my site's theme.

It's been three days now, and not a single link exchange offer.

Granted, my site's niche is more limited in scope than yours or others may be.

Good luck!

[edited by: martinibuster at 5:24 am (utc) on Nov. 26, 2004]
[edit reason] No discussions of specific sites. This thread is locked. Thanks. [/edit]