Learning to link

Should I be wary of multiple-site exchanges?

[bp49]

Professionals please bear with me. I am on the first bend of the linking learning curve.
I have a PR6 site and receive quite a few requests to exchange links. They are sometimes for multiple sites which have very similar or identical link directories except for maybe the page heading. Could they be sharing the same resource whilst appearing to offer separate backlinks?
Alternatively, they may want me to link to their site but offer a "third party" link directory in return. Is this a disadvantage?
What is the criteria for identifying a "bad neighbourhood"?
All and any assistance will help make the climb less onerous!

[jk3210]

If you're a PR6, then chances are that people are already finding your site worth linking to, even without requesting a recip from you.

If that is in fact the case, I (personally) would be wary of ALL link requests I received --it doesn't mean I wouldn't do some of them, but it means I would continue to follow the advice I received here many moons ago, which is "link to stuff your readers/users will find useful."

That advice seems to be passed-on time and time again by numerous pioneers who have previously found themselves face down on the prairie with arrows stuck in their backs.

[bp49]

Thanks JK3210 for your considered advice. I am beginning to realise that the prairies can be unforgiving to the uninitiated and I take your point that it is prudent to watch your back.

I am seriously going to review all of my "ancilliary" links, and would still welcome any advice relating to my specific questions.

[jk3210]

Here's a couple of other threads that might help:

[webmasterworld.com...]
[webmasterworld.com...]