Links exchange - Penguin update potential ??

[webit40]

Hi Everyone,

If site A and site B exchange links in the past, it used to be kind of voided. So it is a practicve that we had pretty uch put on the side. But with the new penguin update, do you guys think that if 2 web sites are contacting each other to share a link in the interest of the user that it might be a new best practice to implement? Example, Car site contact car suspension site to exchange a link on relevant content such as blog articles or specific content on a page.

What are your thoughts about that ?

I am curious to know if anyone is wondering abouot that... Thanks,

Alex

[BeanstalkIM]

Eric Ward did a good Hangout last Friday and gave them the nod too.  the full 1hr 48min is at but but the short answer matches the answers above.  If it makes sense for your user, it makes sense for Google.  I think I hear Matt say that once or twice too.

watch?v=a8oDC0Q-IV0

[TakeshiYoung]

Like others have said, there is nothing wrong with reciprocal links from other sites as long as they're relevant. The one thing to watch out for is sitewide links, especially if you use keywords as your anchor text. That can get you hit by Penguin. Best to set up a separate "resources" or "partners" page, and avoid using your keywords for the anchor (use brand name or URL).

[DavidKonigsberg]

We find the best way is by mixing linkexchange with a contest or joint effort providing some sort of value  ie interview etc you can gain safe links and real marketing value.

[webit40]

great insight guys, this is all common sense but I just wanted to make sure of the proper approach.

[jesse-landry]

Tom nailed it.

You won't be Penguined by this practice necessarily.

Maybe if you went out and got a whole bunch at once from low authority sites with the same exact match anchor text... Then maybe. But chances are if you're doing this it is not relevant or beneficial for the potential reader.

When in doubt always ask yourself, "will the reader ever need this?"

[TomRayner]

Hi Alex

Reciprocal links can be useful for SEO, user and branding purposes - provided that it is done in moderation and, as you say, done for the user.

There's nothing wrong for companies to link to each other or recommend one another (Moz and Distilled do it quite frequently) and this can help for the SEO side of things.  The main thing, however, is that Moz and Distilled do so for the user benefit, never solely for the SEO.

Your example is pretty much the same principle, but in order to replicate the "best practice" as it were, make sure the links are in relative content.  I'm not a fan of "recommended links" pages that just link out to companies.  But blog posts and other user friendly, informative and helpful content that contain links should be absolutely fine.  Just make sure you don't overdo and don't use targeted/commercial anchor text - keep it for the user and their benefit and the other benefits will follow.

Hope this helps.