Who does this benefit?

[JenniferL]

I received this reply regarding my request for a link exchange [paraphrasing here]:

our link exchange program works like this, when you post links to each of our five websites, we will add your link on the links page on eight of our websites.
[/paraphrasing]

Now, I am automatically suspicious of this because it sounds like a real benefit to me, but I hardly think they are just being nice:)

So why would they do this?

[walrus]

I'm pretty sure they're just throwing spaggetti at the wall hoping some of it will stick. I bet a thousand webmasters get that email.
A bunch of links from link pages wont do you near as much good as a couple links from popular pages of good ranking sites with similar topics to yours.
Its good you are cautious, many like this are counting on other peoples inexperience to benefit them though they as well may be just as inexperienced and just trying new things out, so you can't really knock em for trying.

[eggypiece]

JenniferL,

I agree about being suspicious, but if the five reciprocals from the sites you are linking to are coming from quality links related to your site, then I don't see any problem. I don't care if their other three sites that are going to link to me are related or not to my site, because they are giving me a free IBL and I'm not reciprocating to those three.

"So why would they do this?"
I guess they could be willing to sacrifice some sites for the sake of others, who by themselves may not be that attractive...or maybe they are just really nice people : )

[eggypiece]

JenniferL,

I agree about being suspicious, but if the five reciprocals from the sites you are linking to are coming from quality links related to your site, then I don't see any problem. I don't care if their other three sites that are going to link to me are related or not to my site, because they are giving me a free IBL and I'm not reciprocating to those three.

"So why would they do this?"
I guess they could be willing to sacrifice some sites for the sake of others, who by themsselves may not be that attractive...or maybe they are just really nice people : )

[JenniferL]

Thanks for the input! I've been burned a few times so when it seems like a website is offering something for nothing my antenna goes up:)

[caveman]

You're likely gonna find that those sites bite the dust sooner or later. Lately, later is becoming sooner. ;-)

Being associated with them (linking to them) may well prove to be an issue for your sites as a result. I personally wouldn't do it with any domains I value.