Is a reciprocal link the same value as a non-reciprocal
-
So I just started a few weeks ago doing some linkbuilding for my photography site at http://danielvaladas.com
I started by adding my site to some of the business directories recommended by SeoMoz + some local and specialized directories I found myself and from my competitors.
I also sponsored a local charity in exchange for a link on their PR3 website and I wanted to blog on my site about this sponsorship. I am wondering if it is better to link back to them or not. Is this one way link of more value if I don't link back to them?
-
Very informative, thanks for those two links
-
These are really good! Thanks for sharing.
I guess the key here is not to make it excessive if you do it.
-
Couple of good posts from Rand Fishkin:
http://www.seomoz.org/blog/10-myths-that-scare-seos-but-shouldnt-whiteboard-friday
http://www.seomoz.org/blog/whiteboard-friday-sitewide-reciprocal-and-directory-links
Most of the time reciprocal links are fine, as far as we know. It's when Google detects a pattern of reciprocal linking that looks unnatural. These include link wheels and 3 way linking schemes and plans so complicated I couldn't even begin to describe them.
In your case, you should be fine.
-
Actually, I don't know where I got that PR3. The home page is PR4 and I have links from two of their PR2 pages.
I like the idea of doing some link building with sponsorships because I also like the "side effects" such as showcasing my work and products and having my logo on the products, their annual reports, etc.
I do understand that the link schemes guidelines are just guidelines and that I won't get automatically banned from having a link from a charity or a paid directory as long as I also have other natural links. However, I was just wondering if I sould link back to them or not. So I guess I'll not make the link reciprocal.
Thanks for your advice.
-
That's "technically" true but you there is no way Google will consider it that way. They generally penalize people for who use a site that primarily does this for revenue. I doubt your nonprofit will ever get penalized for this. Just don't make the link reciprocal and you'll be fine. Also, I wouldn't make this a normal practice. Every now and again is okay especially for a cause you believe in. I don't think there is anything in Google's algo that will penalize you for this. I get nonprofit links all the time when I used to give speeches. I never got penalized for it.
-
Well, if I go by these guidelines, I am already doing a link scheme just by asking a link for my sponsrship:
"exchanging goods or services for links; or sending someone a “free” product in exchange for them writing about it and including a link"
As far as diverse link profile, opensiteexplorer is a bit late on my recent work, but I estimate I have links from about 20 domains. Maybe about 80% directories and professionnal local associations and the other 20% natural links. And as far as I can think, only 2 of these 20 links are reciprocal.
-
I'm not a fan of reciprocal links. Having a link profile that is diverse is the key. Here is how I would do it.
You mentioned that their site is a pr3 but I will assume that their home page is the pr3. I would have them link to your home page and then write an article on your blog (assuming you have one) and on that page link back to their "donate" page for "more information on how to donate to the charity".
Google actually has more information on LInk Schemes on Webmaster Tools. Take a look there and it should answer a few of your questions too. Here's the link:
http://support.google.com/webmasters/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=66356
Got a burning SEO question?
Subscribe to Moz Pro to gain full access to Q&A, answer questions, and ask your own.
Browse Questions
Explore more categories
-
Moz Tools
Chat with the community about the Moz tools.
-
SEO Tactics
Discuss the SEO process with fellow marketers
-
Community
Discuss industry events, jobs, and news!
-
Digital Marketing
Chat about tactics outside of SEO
-
Research & Trends
Dive into research and trends in the search industry.
-
Support
Connect on product support and feature requests.
Related Questions
-
Link from a directory
Hi, im submitting a clients website to some directories. They are a dental practice and I'm adding them to this website http://goo.gl/Tvyabd Once i added the business to its directory it asked me to add a link (in so many words) back to its website from my clients website. Is this ok to do or is it seen as spam? Im confused about this as sometimes directories are free and sometimes they ask for a fee for it to be fast tracked to put it on the website. I always check the Domain authority of the websites and make sure they are relevant to the industry that I'm working in but again not sure if this would be seen as "paying" for links. Thanks Ade
Link Building | | popcreativeltd0 -
Spammy links
Hi I was reviewing a clients link profile and found a lot of the links they have pointed at their domain have the anchor text "Buy Viagra" or "buy viagra online" and similar. Now the website has absolutely nothing to do with this kind of business so no doubt these links are spammy. To my knowledge the website has not been penalised by Google so far. Is it best to disavow or just leave alone? Kind Regards
Link Building | | TheZenAgency0 -
Total Links vs Google Webmaster Site Links
I am interested why the numbers between SEOmoz and Google are so different. In SEOmoz we only show 17,000ish links from 190ish domains. In Google, we show 200,000+ links from 370 domains. Why is there such a dramatic difference?
Link Building | | webspecdesign0 -
Are reciprocal links of any value today?
Does anyone still use the reciprocal link exchange technique and is it of any value?
Link Building | | SEOwins0 -
Which is better - A) links from multiple IP addresses, or B) Links with more associated social signals?
If you had to choose: A) 100 links contained in posts on 100 PR2* blogs, all on separate IP addresses, where none of the posts had associated social signals, or B) 100 links contained in posts within a single PR2* blog (single IP address), where each of the posts had 20 associated social signals, Which would you choose to increase your SERP performance? *I chose PR2 so that PageRank would not be a factor in the decision.
Link Building | | JohnScottDixon0 -
What is the Value?
Hi there, I own a website (non-commercial) which has around 300 pages full of original content, in average about 500 words or so per page. I also own another website (commercial) I was thinking of pointing keywords for all of these pages in the non-commercial website pointing to the commercial website, all the articles are around 2-10 years old, what is the value of doing this sort of link building? Kind Regards,
Link Building | | Paul780 -
Reciprocal Links from Automated Source
Just a quick question. We received an email from a website looking to exchange links with our blog. Their site seems relevant enough for our readers to benefit from the link being there, so everything seems fine from that point. They began the message with Dear ******blog, then continued with their message of wanting to exchange links. The email then signed off with promo@*****.com I was just wondering whether it's likely this was a manual email, or whether conducted via an automated service Cheers
Link Building | | TalarMade0 -
Link Building: No linked to content in industry
Hello, I'm doing link buidling for a small ecommerce niche. There's no resource content in the niche (looking at OSE Top Content) that has attracted backlinks (on any sites) How should this effect what resource content I should create. Thanks!
Link Building | | BobGW0