| Links are the primary method via which different sites | | | | As the name implies, reciprocal links are mutual links |
| interact. A good portion of SEO practice and improving | | | | between two different websites. If Site A links to Site |
| your search engine rankings involves building up your | | | | B and Site B links to Site A, it is said that they are |
| network of quality links, as this is the main engine | | | | "reciprocally linked". Webmasters will often submit their |
| through which you can drive internet traffic your way | | | | sites to directories specifically made for sites that are |
| and increase your visibility on search results pages. | | | | looking to exchange reciprocal links. While exchanging |
| Here is a brief overview of the different types of links | | | | links in this manner can help your search engine |
| and how they are used. | | | | rankings, exchanged links don't carry as much weight in |
| Inbound and Outbound Links | | | | the eyes of search engines as so called "natural" links, |
| Inbound links are links leading from other sites to yours | | | | which are links that third parties willingly give you |
| and outbound links are links going form your site to | | | | because your content is relevant or of interest. |
| other sites. The more inbound links you have (and the | | | | Three Way Links |
| better their quality) the more impressive your website | | | | Three way linking is a reciprocal link building strategy |
| will look in the eyes of search engines, and thus the | | | | that works when Site A links to Site B, Site B links to |
| higher your search engine rankings are likely to be. | | | | Site C, and then Site C links back to Site A. The added |
| Outbound links don't affect your search engine | | | | layer of removal makes the link back to Site A look |
| rankings nearly as much as inbound links, though some | | | | more like a "natural" link than two-way reciprocal links. |
| SEOs argue that too many outbound links will reflect | | | | Thus, three-way links give your site's page ranking a bit |
| negatively on your website rankings. However, this | | | | more of a boost. Consult a San Diego, CA search |
| negative effect is small enough that it can be offset | | | | engine marketing firm for more help with strategies |
| by other SEO practices. | | | | that will boost your site's ranking on the top three |
| Reciprocal Links | | | | search engines: Google, Yahoo! and Bing. |