Just Recieved A Reciprocal Link Request

from a major UK site?

[internetheaven]

Every day the spammy little reciprocal seekers find a way to get past my mail filtersand today was no different, except that one of the requests was from a major UK firm. I thought it was a con (i.e. it wasn't really them, it was an SEO link farm with a mis-spelled domain name such as www.wudget-co.com) but sure enough, I went to the site and there it was, a links directory packed to the brim with garbage:

www.credit-card-spam-for-mfa.com
www.get-a-mortgage-cheap-viagra.com

dozens of "categories" with around 100-150 links per page. A whole list of junk sites that had volunteered to link back. I don't get it, I thought major firms spent fortunes on advisors? Surely no top firm is suggesting this tatic, or did I miss a recent memo?

[rj87uk]

You did miss the memo, I'll send you the updated version. Its all about getting links from more spammy websites the more you have the better you rank in google! Thats it! :)

[Matt Probert]

I thought major firms spent fortunes on advisors?

Ever heard the story of "The Emperor's New Clothes"?

Major firms do spend lots of money, but on being told what they want to hear, not necessarily what is best for them.

Might I cite the UK government as an example? How frequently do we hear of cock-ups and wasted money on NHS computer systems that don't work &c.
And they're not cheap!

Matt

[pageoneresults]

Surely no top firm is suggesting this tactic.

You'd really be surprised at what some of the larger firms are recommending and implementing.

I've seen this exact same scenario with quite a few sites that I thought would never succumb to such things.

I have a feeling that some just don't understand what it is that is happening. They've hired a firm and/or a consultant. That firm is using a third party provider for link development. You know the rest of the story.

There's a whole breed of SEOs out there who do nothing but links. That is all they ever learned how to do and that is all they can do. Their entire business model is based on links, links and more links. ;)