Does reciprocal linking impose a penalty?

[businessezines]

Are you better off with links that you reciprocate or with links that point to your site with no reciprocation?

I've recently heard that exchanging links with a site is not as beneficial as getting another site to link without returning the link (beneficial in terms of Google site ranking).

Your objective thoughts and back-up data are appreciated.

[vitaplease]

The way its going with everyone hunting for links and the easiest way out being asking for reciprocal links, it would seem that long term, reciprocal links would be worth less than one way links.

You scratch my back and I'll scratch yours is ok for sending each other visitors (the original idea of links), but the question is if it will account for the same as a straight one-way link.

[glengara]

I much prefer one way links, and recommend others to give them, however it's getting increasingly hard to get them with this PR mania.

[cayleyv]

As long as the reciprocal link originates from a non penalized site there is no penalty. Google gives more weight to links from quality, related sites. Exchanging links with linkfarms is no good, and can be harmful.

[mil2k]

Reciprocal links from related or "themed" sites are OK as of now. It is speculated that their value will be degraded in the future. Think of future in the future because reciprocating links within a Themed site is not inherently wrong.