Reciprocal links, do they help?

[trmichels]

I have a hunting-related webring on my site, which I use as way of getting more links, both to and from my site.

One of my members told me that reciprocal links may actually hurt a site, because Google looks at reciprocals as "fake." Is this true? If so how does any search engine distinguish between reciprocal (on purpose) and non-reciprocal (due to similar content or the webmaster feeling it IS a good site) link?

When I use the search words "hunting webring" I am normally listed #1 by Google and the other big 6.

I'm no expert, but I think I've got the proper META Tags on ALL my pages, and I know I've got great content. I also rank high is several other search terms I've used. Can anyone tell me what I am doing right for rankings, but why I don't get many hits?

I do put out several Press Releases, I do write articles for about 40+ other sites, who must put a link to my site on their site. I also belong to 4-5 Top Sites. I have a forum on my site, and am one of the only nationally known outdoor writers to actually answer questions on their own forum. I normally have a PR of 4 on Google (which ranks with the best "hunting sites" on Google. I have a total of about 1300 links on the top 7 search engines, and yet I don't get the hits I NEED.

Those who come to my site seem to really like it, and I've had no negative comments from surfers.

My site is wwww.TRMichels.com

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance, and may God bless you and yours,

T.R.

[cbp]

One of my members told me that reciprocal links may actually hurt a site, because Google looks at reciprocals as "fake." Is this true?
Its not true.

CBP

[trmichels]

Thank you sir. I didn't think he was right, but wasn't sure.

Does anyone have ideas on how to increase my traffic? I realize my site is only 2 years old, and things will pickup as time progresses, but is there anything else I SHOULD be doing?

Again thanks in advance, and God bless.

T.R.

[wrmineo]

... is there anything else I SHOULD be doing? ... T.R.

Yes.

First, might I suggest that you validate your code. The best sources are often free as is the case with the pros at W3C (http://validator.w3.org/detailed.html).

Making your site code valid may help engine bots fully appreciate the content that you do have.

However, having said that, a few more suggestions, just my opinions:

Title: way too long. Try to keep to 60 characters or less, but not more than 75. Also, don't try to include a bunch of keywords in it that may be seen as trying to spam.

Keywords: too many and unrealistic. I've found that sites competing for traffic have an easier time first going for less competitive keyword phrases and go for just a FEW that are most important and relevant to THAT page.

Images and ALT tags: make sure your images have alt-text; engines can't read images, but they can the alt tag. You might also consider redoing your images - break up the collage into separate pics, naming each one with content/keyword relevant file names, give an appropriate image id and alt-text.

Content: you have LOTS of content on this front pages. Try to keep at least 150 words, but try to get down closer to 450 or so, not 1300+ Also, try to update or at least "tweak" the content on your pages on a regular basis. Adding a page or so at regular intervals will also help; make sure they're all inter-linked.

File Size: yours isn't too bad, but cleaning up your code and content will make it a bit smaller; faster loadiing is better.

If you use the W3C validator, make sure you check "show outline" to get a good skeletal view of your page - it'll help you properly use headings and give emphasis where appropriate.

Take a look also at the free advice you get from Google Webmaster Guidelines (http://www.google.com/webmasters/guidelines.html) - you'll be glad you did.

Getting better search engine likeable will result in better search engine results and hence, traffic; then, you'll likely be found by other sites who link to you without asking, give you heavily weighted, relevant one-way links.

Finally, after you get your site cleaned up, find an appropriate category in DMOZ/ODP to submit to - just be sure your site is ready and then be prepared to be very patient; it can take a while for inclusion, but it's very well worth it!

Good Luck! ~ w®m

[wrmineo]

One of my members told me that reciprocal links may actually hurt a site, because Google looks at reciprocals as "fake." Is this true?

Its not true. CBP

Just my opinion but:

Recips are fine, but I think they tend to be a net wash so to speak if they're not relevant to/from sites. Also, I don't think they're given the weight they once were. They're still important, but trade with care.

Furthermore, I think one-way links are given a heavier weight by some engines and directories, especially when they're relevant and, even more so, if it's a text link that is content/keyword specific to your site.

This is why I love DMOZ/ODP. Getting linked here is a domino affect of one-way links to you. Anyone (almost) can get listed and hopefully even found in Google web search. However, there's only one way to get found in the Google Directory and that's via DMOZ, which then snowballs to other directories like AOL, Netscape and more.

When your site is ready, try to find an appropriate category, even if it seems overly specific; especially if it has an active editor who's updated that section recently. For you this might equate to:
http://dmoz.org/Recreation/Outdoors/Hunting/Guides_and_Outfitters/North_America/United_States/Texas/

Good Luck!

[ferret77]

yeah right