Google frowns on reciprocal linking

This is a topic that everybody seems to be arguing about at the moment. Absolutely everyone attempting to second-guess Google's actions - which they will In no way do - and questioning no matter whether reciprocal linking is dead, dying or if it is something worth carrying on.

'Nuff of the speculation. Here's the proof.

Google do not like reciprocal link directories and they can sniff a single google backlinks out a mile off. There was (notice the use of the past tense right here) a link directory on my website till lately, but I have now removed it, due to the fact it had turn out to be as valuable as a chocolate teapot.

While the main front page of the website has retained it really is Google PageRank of PR5, in 1 of their last updates, Google relegated that directory, which had also previously had a PR5, to a PR .

Meanwhile, I had not altered my linking structure that pointed to quality backlinks it. I had not altered my policies either: I did not link TO any PR0 web sites, kept the number of links per page down to a minimum and there had been even text descriptions for each entry listed.

Google could tell what it was and acted as they saw fit.

There is no point questioning or whining about it. They can and they are performing so in order to offer better results to searchers. You can like it or lump it, but if you want them to give you decent listings, ranks or send you any targeted traffic, their guidelines count.

My suggestions: forget *artificial* reciprocal linking entirely. The time taken to maintain the directory, contextual backlinks approve/disaprove submissions (largely the latter, simply because the only people still asking for links are crappy PR0 web sites and spammers) can be significantly much better spent.

When you want to exchange links with other web sites, make positive you do so in a natural way, by which I mean write about the other site in some way and spot all-natural links within the body text.

And think about just giving to get. By which I mean, link out to helpful items for the edification or entertainment of your visitors giving no consideration to the immediate usefulness of that link to you.

What goes about will come around. When you are noticed as helpful, other individuals will link to you. You do then get your links "reciprocated", but it may possibly not be from the very same folks to whom you linked.

That is the all-natural way of linking that Google desires to see.

Do not, below any circumstances, maintain anything (other than internal navigation) that could look like merely a list of links / link farm, due to the fact Google will locate it, won't like it and will penalize it.

Reciprocal linking, in the form of lists or directories merely created for that extremely purpose can't do anything to support you with Google (really the opposite, in fact) and consequently, est mortuus. [RIP]