Link exchanging dead?

[Aritrim]

I am planning to start heavy SEO on one of my site and before
I do so I have been demoralised by some of my associates.
They are pointing out link exchange for SEO is a definite
waste of time. I am confused folks. Is link exchange really dead
or does it still help?

[SkGold]

It is really depend on whom you exchange with and the way you will be doing it. For obvious heavy links exchange you could be even penalized.

[Cricket]

Originally Posted by Aritrim

I am planning to start heavy SEO on one of my site and before
I do so I have been demoralised by some of my associates.
They are pointing out link exchange for SEO is a definite
waste of time. I am confused folks. Is link exchange really dead
or does it still help?

Here are some comments from Matt Cutts that may help.

As Google changes algorithms over time, excessive reciprocal links will probably carry less weight. That could also account for a site having more pages in supplemental results if excessive reciprocal links (or other link-building techniques) begin to be counted less. As I said in January: “The approach I’d recommend in that case is to use solid white-hat SEO to get high-quality links (e.g. editorially given by other sites on the basis of merit)."

Reciprocal links by themselves aren’t automatically bad, but we’ve communicated before that there is such a thing as excessive reciprocal linking. http://www.mattcutts.com/blog/google-hell/

If you used to have pages in our main web index and now they’re in the supplemental results, a good hypothesis is that we might not be counting links to your pages with the same weight as we have in the past. The approach I’d recommend in that case is to use solid white-hat SEO to get high-quality links (e.g. editorially given by other sites on the basis of merit).
http://www.mattcutts.com/blog/infras...-january-2007/

[full house]

It depends if you're trying to exchange link with unrelated site that is not advisable! Link exchange really help.

[eXweso]

Its not the best method for SEO I will say...Sites with good rank usually don't link exchange...Not Advisable..a more suggestible method is to submit the website in free directories with a good PR

[coolguy27]

It's okay to linkexchange with other sites as long as it's related site..

But as cricket said don't do it excessively... Be careful with sites you are exchanging links check their status even they are related to your site..

[willem82]

I have read that it might not be beneficial to submit to free directories if their page rank is below 5. Is there some sort of rule of thumb to this effect? I have tried to submit to directories that are page ranked 5 or higher. My competition seems to be using some semi-sneaky ways to get links (web site with a related topic but no real content). I want to avoid doing this as I assume Google will eventually change to discount those links. I have a real estate site and a very small niche to work in (based on location), so I feel that I can climb to the top with the proper strategy. My competition outsourcers all of their web design/promotion. I should be able to do better with a hands on approach.
Should I submit to sites with page rank below 5?

[Cornbread]

Another myth, link exchange is definitely not dead. I think we get so hung up on SERPS and link juice and page rank and all that, we forget what we are really after. It's traffic folks and as long as you do a link exchange with the best web sites that are similar and relevant to your topic you will get considerable traffic from those links. For example if your site is about hammers and the other site your link exchanging with is about nails, you link together and you both benefit in traffic and sales and that's what's really important.

One cautionary note, look at the source code of the site you are linking with, make sure it is a dynamic link and not hidden under shockwave-flash or java and make sure he is only linking out to quality sites, you don't want to be part of a bad neighborhood.

[bobchrist]

It is best if you can build natural backlinks through quality and unique content.

[Web Gazelle]

If you do link exchanges just keep it relevant and you should be good.

[Janna122003]

Originally Posted by Aritrim

I am planning to start heavy SEO on one of my site and before
I do so I have been demoralised by some of my associates.
They are pointing out link exchange for SEO is a definite
waste of time. I am confused folks. Is link exchange really dead
or does it still help?

Link exchange with related site still helps in improving rankings. You just have to pick the right site to link exchange, avoid link exchange with bad site.

[ChrissyC]

Link exchange brings in most of my visiters.

[cabdirazzaq]

Originally Posted by SkGold

It is really depend on whom you exchange with and the way you will be doing it. For obvious heavy links exchange you could be even penalized.

Exactly.

[netsearch]

I am planning on testing some link exchanges on one of my sites I havn't done link exchanges in awhile. I will only exchage with sites that have a good listing for my keywords and think it will work. It is in the 150ish range and should give some good indication if it works or not waiting for my site to stablize so I can get a accurate test

[priyo]

Originally Posted by bobchrist

It is best if you can build natural backlinks through quality and unique content.

Exactly.

[potchie]

it help somehow, it increase your visitors and traffic of course, and if your site find interesting, the more it helps with your site.. to get a relevant link exchange.

[skysoldier]

Do the test netsearch, link exchange will you but not that much but still it helps!

[full house]

Originally Posted by Cornbread

Another myth, link exchange is definitely not dead. I think we get so hung up on SERPS and link juice and page rank and all that, we forget what we are really after. It's traffic folks and as long as you do a link exchange with the best web sites that are similar and relevant to your topic you will get considerable traffic from those links. For example if your site is about hammers and the other site your link exchanging with is about nails, you link together and you both benefit in traffic and sales and that's what's really important.

One cautionary note, look at the source code of the site you are linking with, make sure it is a dynamic link and not hidden under shockwave-flash or java and make sure he is only linking out to quality sites, you don't want to be part of a bad neighborhood.

nice info!

how can you say that it is a dynamic link? I am not informed about that term! How does it hurt my site if I link to a dynamic link? another term is static right? what is the difference?

[charlesgan]

its true that link exchange or link farm is dead.
spend the money and time wisely... as search engines are getting smarter

[joanne-r]

Also check out the source code of the site you are linking with to see that they don't have a 'no follow' link on that page.