Reciprocal Link Exchange Software

[kaus]

If you use these programs I would love to hear what you have used and your opinons on it.

I am looking to buy a package but through looking there seems to be quite a bit out there and I am not sure what to go with.

[Randy]

Using any reciprocal links program is a bad idea.

[kaus]

Really? Why? Just asking cause I do see it so frequently on alot of sites and some of them being the "big boys" I assumed it was of the norm and ok.

Would you mind expanding on this Randy?

[Randy]

Here's an except from Google's webmaster guidelines:

"Avoid tricks intended to improve search engine rankings. A good rule of thumb is whether you'd feel comfortable explaining what you've done to a website that competes with you. Another useful test is to ask, "Does this help my users? Would I do this if search engines didn't exist?"

Almost all link exchange software is going to leave some kind of footprint. I think it's pretty likely that Google would think that most people using a link exchange software are using a trick to try to rank better in the search engine. That can't be a good message to send to Google, can it?

Besides, why would someone need software to do link exchanges? If you like someone's site and want to link to them, just add their link. If you want them to link back to you, ask them to link back to you.

Don't link to crappy websites just because you're hoping to get a link back.

People make linkbuilding too complicated.

[kaus]

Oh no...I was meaning where the person enters their info and where they have placed their link. The software than validates that yes it is there and I myself review the site to see if I would accept an exchange.

It would in most cases make it easier on those who are wanting to request,

I didnt mean something that adds any old link that comes my way.

[Randy]

Even if you approve the links before making them live on the site, the footprint is still there.

[Pokerletter]

Is it true that even without the reciprocal link exchange software, reciprocal link exchanges really don't work? Is it much better just to purchase links?