One Way Link Dilemma

Whether to link back - benefit readers or search engines?

[tomthumb2000]

So the popular opinion is that one way inbound links are gold, especially if they're on theme.

Now here's the thing - i genuinely like a couple of the sites that link to me and see them as a good resource for my readers. BUt if i link back to them will i lose the benefit of the one way inbound link?

I suppose if there has been a significant time lag between the links then it may not be counted as the typical reciprocal.

So what do i do? Think of my readers or the search engines?

[designaweb]

If it makes sense to the readers, the SE's will eventually figure it out. I say go with the readers.

[roxyyo]

You could link to a deeper page on their site, that would "look more natural" to the search engine if that's your concern.

[Kufu]

I would say link to them. As long as you don't have a link page with all reciprocal links then you should be perfectly ok.

[inerte]

Readers first. The more they like your site, the more they will link :)

[justdave]

I would link to the site if it is of value to your readers.

[goodroi]

Link back to the sites but block the link from the engines.

[shabda]

As in rel="nofollow"

[willybfriendly]

Link back to the sites but block the link from the engines.

Yeah, when everyone does this, then what?

Build your site for your visitors. The job of the SE's is to find the good sites and serve them up. This is what the SE's will continue to strive to do. Therefore, the answer to longe term SEO is to build a good site.

WBF

[contentmaster]

Have heard a lot about the importance of linking with good sites and other good sites linking to yours - My question is - what is the best course of action that a webmaster should take on the receipt of a link request from a website? Is it correct to ask them to first link to my site and then I would consider linking to theirs?

How important is a 2 way link? I have been adding sites to my useful links section solely baseed on what I consider valuable resources for my visitors....but this is a one way link only....

Any thoughts?

[Teshka]

If it's a good site, link back to them. Besides, you never know when someone linked to you hoping to receive a link in return... They might take it back if you don't reciprocate. ;)

[larryhatch]

I would definitely link back if useful to your visitors.
No rel=nofollow cr**, .php fol-de-rol, none of that.
If good value for your readers, give a good honest link.

Sometimes outgoing links can do more good than harm -Larry

[JuniorOptimizer]

Fear of linking may leave you linkless.

[FTFlash]

"Fear of linking may leave you linkless."

This is very, very true.

[moose606]

You should always link for the benefit of the visitors. Everything else is secondary.

[jackson88]

wow this is great post- yes inbound links are gold if u dont have reciprocation.. if its a good content site as u suggest..

however - according to GOD(google) the who idea is to link to and be linked from good content and somehow if this content is valuble to your readers - somthign is telling me that google has taken this into its algorythm - i wouldnt worry about outbound links to content "qualty content" valuble to your readers.... this might just be the type of stuff that most people over look in marketing - that eludes them - in what search engines can possibly be interested in... - i really think if this site is useful to your readers - it cant really devalue ur content. and site as whole it might not increase your rankings but i cant see it really hurting u - it would be very interesting to try it and see......

[jackson88]

i was also thinking regarding - outound links -is not have a link page with tons of banners and links - having an outbound link in your content pages with a fair amount content "descriptiion of what you are linking to " again this is better type method for outbound links than link pages..again ...... i really think u cant go wrong.. -- doin tthis