Affect of Recips

[MandyHaga]

We have an affiliate program directory on our website, www.affiliatetracking.net Our directory has been free in the past and has not required a reciprocal link. However, beginning this week, we'll implement one or the other and just wanted to know if Google would penalize us for the recips since the sites really have nothing to do with affiliate software per se, they just have an affiliate program.

Should we have them link to the directory or does it make a difference?

What are your thoughts?

[jestep]

You cant be penalized for a link coming into your site, so I don't think you have anything to worry about.

At worst nothing will happen, and at best you will see a ranking boost, provided you are using the proper anchor text in the links to your site.

[greeneagle]

MandyHaga,

You may find this article entitled "Don't be a Reciprocal Linking Turkey!" by Mike Banks Valentine, timely and useful:
http://www.sitepronews.com/archives/2004/dec/3.html

Hope it helps,
Ken

[MandyHaga]

Thanks for the help! :)