After a Link Swap Only One Site Appears

[bobby_boy]

Hi,

Just wondered if anyone could reassure me on something here.

A couple of months back I did a link swap with a group of sites that operate within the same arena as I do. What I've started seeing now is that some of my listing are now being substituted for one of the pages from the oldest and best ranking site within this network (content is completely unique on both sites but the pages cover the same subject). I can now find my page at position 150 or there abouts. Interestingly this is only happening on the less generic searches. For example, on widget we both rank but on blue widget, red widget etc the sites are swapped at my expense.

I have now removed all links to this network and was wondering if this would remedy the situation after the next backlink update? I just don't want to be forever 'attached' to this group of sites in googles eyes.

Thanks

[bobby_boy]

Can anyone advise me on this?

Thanks

[rustybrick]

I have heard some rumors that by linking to a site on the same topic, you give the search engine the impression that the site you are linking to is the authority. The search engine looks at both content, sees they are on the same subject matter and decide to place the site that you are linking to in the premier SERP, whereas pushing your site down in order to provide more unique results in that premier 1st SERP. This is not really a penalty, its just the search engine is trying to find the source of the information by looking at the external and internal linking structure.

Again, the content does not have to be mirrored for this to occur. As long as the search engine can figure out its on the same subject manner, it might do this.

I have not seen much proof to this but this was discussed at some of the conferences.