Has any one received this email yet ??

[stevan]

I received this email from a link partner about Google any truth about it ???

Dear Webmaster,

As you are probably aware, Google has changed its algorythm and now removes sites from its search results when they have exchanged links with sites that are not in EXACTLY the same category.

To prevent being from blacklisted in Google, it is imperative that we remove our link to you and that your remove your link to us!

Your link to us was last found at http://www.cruisewarehouse.cc/links_usa_4.html with the linking text Search Engine Optimization. Our url is www.flyingmountain.com.

We are removing our link to you now. PLEASE return the courtesy and remove your link to us!

Note that Google is updating its results this week and failure to remove these links immediately will likely mean not showing up in Google for AT LEAST the next 4 months!

Thank you for understanding,
Flying Mountain Partners

[sdadesky]

[quote="stevan"]I received this email from a link partner about Google any truth about it ???

Hi Stevan,

I think the email in question in misguided. It contradicts logic that Google would penalize a site for exchanging with non-related sites, unless such a site was blacklisted for 'black hat' tactics. More likely, Google would simply highly discount such links, as it does not with forum links, etc.

That said, why link to someone who is not linking back? So I would honor their request. Now there is some debate whether links to high pr sites can actually boost your own ranking, so if their site has very high pr IN YOUR SAME CATEGORY, you might choose not to reciprocate.

I consider a link to an outside source a service for my customers, not for the site in question. If I think the link is valuable, I will continue to leave it on my site.

[LinkMaster]

That's the best joke I've heard in along time. Sounds like someone is lost on a rabbit trail.