Is linking still a good measure of relevance in the serps?

how many on average can i expect to get per week?

[rfung]

I'd like to work harder in getting backlinks - but it's time and effort intensive, surfing the web fishing for potential partners. Is this still a good (maybe THE) method to help boost one's rankings?

[cystum]

i would like to know also...

[chrisnrae]

Linking isn't the only factor (although some would probably argue that LOL) but you can't rank without them on anything competitive. You need links for the current algos on all the main engines. For me, inbounds are usually one of my biggest focuses SEO wise.

[martinibuster]

Surfing the web is a good way to find link partners. You may want to try different search engines, like AJ, for finding link partners.

For the time being, links are still the major measure of relevance used by search engines, although Yahoo appears to be less reliant on link analysis than Google.

[defanjos]

If you get links from sites related to yours, the links will have two benefits:
- they will help your SE rankings
- you might actually get a valuable visitor from it (this part seems to be always forgotten).

I go through my logs frequently, and I am always pleasantly surprised that some of the links I get actually sent many visitors my way.

[reddevil]

The value of backlinks for a good SERPS is well known although I don't know why the SEs look kindly on a mini directory within everybody's site?

[kashyap rajput]

Yes, I think backlinks from your type of business with some higher PR helps you better in search engines, I do surf for that, I think its always good idea to filter your linking partner before swaping links

kashyap

[Nuttakorn]

Relevance Links is definite that theme link in the same industry. Like if you're in hotel reservations website, you may find link on travel information, hotel guide, travel service.

Do you have any other suggestion for this industry?

[phantombookman]

Getting links depends a great deal on the area you are in.
I have seen posts were sites can get masses of links a week. Personally I cannot really get any!
All mine are from directories and sites I own.

There is little to no SEO in my area, many sites untouched for years etc and people don't like linking as they think they will 'lose out'.

Once Google has figured out how to better assess page and site content I believe they will dramatically reduce the importance of links in their algo

[Crush]

Linking along with content are the most important factors. Just be sure to rotate and get the correct anchor text.

As for hunting maybe it is better to automate. We got 1200 links in one day a couple of weeks ago. It was for 20 sites though. 60 links to each site :)

[rfung]

How do you automate? what kind of technology?

[Crush]

1.5 years of development :)