Suspicious reprocical links from free directories?

1 replies
  • SEO
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So, I would like to ask something about backlinks.
As far as I know, listing your site in the directories, and giving backlinks to them is considered an ok practice by google.

But, what if, suppose a directory tells you to link to another site?

I just came by to website called 'dirbit.com' and I can't find anything about it. And when I signed up for that directory thay gave me a link to 'focuspal.com' that shows a 404 error in Chinese.

After I inserted the link, it said the listing will be checked before posted.

Anyway, that's kinda very strange behavior, and yet it's got a good keyword ranking, high pr and competitive alexa rating.

Can someone advice if it's a scum, and if it is, then what's the whole point of it? I just don't get, at all.

And I also would like to generalize, if any other directory would give a reciprocal link to some other domain, should we call the alert and don't deal with them?
#directories #free #links #reprocical #suspicious
  • Profile picture of the author jamaks
    Hi, just sounds like three way linking which is not in itself a bad thing. The directory in question is saying that they will link to your site in exchange for you linking to this third party site. Presume that the third site then links to the directory.
    I would however be very wary if the directory is not within your niche and/or the third party is not highly relevant. Linking to obscure sites should not be considered natural, and if this directory takes a tumble it is likely to pull you down too.
    As I said three way linking is good provided that you have some measure of control and all the sites involved have a common interest which makes linking look natural.
    In your scenario however I would steer clear of it unless you can establish a clear common interest. Jim
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