No link to links page from home page - okay?

Prudish or what?

[kenjack]

I have a client who is wants a link page but does not want
a link going to that page from their home page. The links
page will have a link going to the home page and the
links page itself will be submitted to the engines so
it should get listed and benefit the sites that are
being linked to. Is there any problem with this approach?

Thanks, folks.

[Pikin_It_Up]

If I found out that a site I am taking part in a reciprical link exchange with, did not have their links page accessible anywhere from the site, I don't think I would be best pleased.

Although link exchanges are beneficial for your ranking in the SE's, they are also a great source of direct traffic.

Most directories now spider your site or have it human checked to make sure that you link's page is accessible, and won't exchange links if you can't get to it.

Explain to your boss that it doesn't have to be a HUGE link. A simple text link in the footer of the site would be fine. It doesn't even have to say 'links'. It could say 'resources' or any number of things...

I would try as hard as you can to let the links page be linked to from the site, otherwise it could make his life VERY hard when he starts to try and exchange links. (Unless it's down to you to do the link xchanges')

:-)

[rogerd]

Kenjack, if the links page isn't properly linked from the home page (directly or indirectly), it's unlikely to show up in search engines whether or not you submit it.

Links pages serve a couple of purposes:
- to provide useful resources for your visitors
- to provide a means to link back to sites who will link to you if you reciprocate.

Without debating the continued value of reciprocated vs. unreciprocated links, it's doubtful that an unlinked links page will either help your visitors or be considered worthy of exchange by any webmaster with half a brain.

There are many benefits to outbound linking, even on content pages. Time to have a chat with the boss... good luck!

[kenjack]

Thanks for responding, folks!

Rogerd, you said:

"Kenjack, if the links page isn't properly linked from the home page (directly or indirectly), it's unlikely to show up in search engines whether or not you submit it."

I'm just curious why it wouldn't show up if I submitted the links page directly. Thank you for you time.

[sem4u]

If the links page doesn't have any incoming links (e.g. one from the homepage) then it is unlikely to show up in the SERPs.