Is reciprocal Linking dead? I just read an article at SitePro
News that really rings my bell. It was written by Mike Banks
Valentine. Obviously being a very successful webmaster, one must
pay attention to his words and his most recent article really
mirrors my thoughts. Having just completed constructing a new
website for my personal use, I have been looking for
optimization improvements.
The current rage is “reciprocal linking” so I went about
searching for some reciprocal links. To my dismay I discovered
websites that contained lists of links in directories that
appear nearly useless as far as pointing potential customers to
my site. I completed arrangements for link swaps with a few,
only to go back and find it impossible to find my link. Caught
up in the frenzy, I had begun to get drawn in to this game. Then
I took a step backward. This craziness can’t be adding anything
of value to any of these websites. Should I participate anymore?
I think not. However it was reading Mike’s words this morning
that brought home the point that was nagging away at me and
sitting in some little corner of my head. This can’t be a good
thing and it can’t hold up as a relevant marker for search
engine ranking. What I am seeing is just too ridiculous. I am an
amateur webmaster by world standards but I don’t like to be a
“gimmick man.” I would really like my website to stand on it’s
own two feet and have it judged by what you are reading. This
links thing appeared to be a farce to me. I’m not into a bunch
of “flash” and I won’t rely on gimmicks.
Does that mean my website will never make it? I don’t think so.
I will work on the important things and pay attention to the
credible things. Mike’s efforts and words will stand the test of
time. I am sure of that. Gimmicks will come and go. I may not be
making the best of what seems like “the magic bullet’ but I will
work to improve the aspects that will stand the test of time.
Does that mean it will take longer to rank well? Maybe, but once
it gets there, it shouldn’t quickly go away simply because some
gimmick that I utilized has been banished. It should stand the
test of time!
Will I take more pride in my accomplishment? Definitely yes. I
realize that in this day and age of competition that “pride” may
not be a factor. It is all about money and “do it fast”. I still
believe there is a place for pride. And to repeat Mike’s words
“put some content in your website”. I bet it will bring more
return viewers to your site. If they have found something of
value, they will return to it.
Let’s get it back to Pride and Quality. Let your investment
Stand the test of time!
Tom Henricks
About Author :
Tom is a small website publisher and also a licenced fishing
guide in Ontario Canada.
