Reciprocal Linking Continued
When I looked into getting Link management software, most of what I found was quite expensive so I decided to take care of the task myself.
I used the following online link checker to scan my pages and tell me which links no longer were valid.
The links checker gives you the opportunity to view the page. I did that to make sure they were definitely dead links before I removed them from my directory.
What I found was disturbing. I found links that redirected to a different page than what the original exchange was for, and there was no links directory. I found links that go to a page that is simply a directory of links to programs that I assume are affiliate links. These sites had no links directory, my link was nowhere to be found on their site. I found links that redirect to affiliate program pages, not the site that the webmaster had given to me when they first asked for an exchange.
Link exchanges are supposed to increase your PR in Google, but what is even better is to have a one way link. That is, if someone links to your site because they feel it's a good resource and they don't ask for a link back, that helps to increase the popularity of your site. So the webmasters who solicit for link exchanges, then use the tactics above to make their site "appear" to be popular is very dishonest!
So besides removing the dead links from your directory, you will have to check for the re-directs and removed links directories. This can be a big job, but I just found an even better way and it won't cost you a dime.
Duncan Carver is generously giving away his links software for free! It will build your directory automatically, check for dead links, check the sites you reciprocated with to see if your link is still on their site, etc.
As it's free, there is no support in setting it up, however he does have a forum where you can go and ask for help if needed. Go here and read about it and fill out the form to request your free copy - Duncan Carver's Link Management Assistant.
I used the following online link checker to scan my pages and tell me which links no longer were valid.
The links checker gives you the opportunity to view the page. I did that to make sure they were definitely dead links before I removed them from my directory.
What I found was disturbing. I found links that redirected to a different page than what the original exchange was for, and there was no links directory. I found links that go to a page that is simply a directory of links to programs that I assume are affiliate links. These sites had no links directory, my link was nowhere to be found on their site. I found links that redirect to affiliate program pages, not the site that the webmaster had given to me when they first asked for an exchange.
Link exchanges are supposed to increase your PR in Google, but what is even better is to have a one way link. That is, if someone links to your site because they feel it's a good resource and they don't ask for a link back, that helps to increase the popularity of your site. So the webmasters who solicit for link exchanges, then use the tactics above to make their site "appear" to be popular is very dishonest!
So besides removing the dead links from your directory, you will have to check for the re-directs and removed links directories. This can be a big job, but I just found an even better way and it won't cost you a dime.
Duncan Carver is generously giving away his links software for free! It will build your directory automatically, check for dead links, check the sites you reciprocated with to see if your link is still on their site, etc.
As it's free, there is no support in setting it up, however he does have a forum where you can go and ask for help if needed. Go here and read about it and fill out the form to request your free copy - Duncan Carver's Link Management Assistant.
posted by Sue Norrad @ 3:51 PM
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