Link exchange

« Back to Glossary Index

What is a link exchange?
– A link exchange is a confederation of websites that operates similarly to a web ring.
– Webmasters register their websites with a central organization that runs the exchange.
HTML code is provided by the exchange, which webmasters insert into their web pages.
– The HTML code causes the display of banner advertisements for other members’ sites.
– Banners are downloaded from the exchange, and a monitor tracks the number of displays.

Advantages of link exchanges
– Link exchanges bring in a highly targeted readership.
– They increase the link popularity of a site with search engines.
– Link exchanges provide stable methods of hyperlinking.
– They can help increase visibility and traffic to a website.
– Link exchanges can be beneficial for websites with similar content.

Disadvantages of link exchanges
– Link exchanges may potentially distract visitors away from the original site.
– Visitors may be directed to other sites before fully exploring the original site.
– Engaging in link exchanges is discouraged by Google for search engine rankings.
– Excessive link exchanges can be considered link schemes by Google.
Google may suppress or block sites participating in excessive link exchanges.

Link building and backlinks
Link building is closely related to link exchanges.
– It involves acquiring hyperlinks from other websites to improve search engine visibility.
– Backlinks are incoming links to a website from external sources.
– Backlinks play a significant role in search engine ranking algorithms.
– Link exchanges can be a strategy for building backlinks.

References
– Ronaldo Munck’s book ‘Labour and Globalisation Results and Prospects’ discusses link exchanges.
– Amy Macy and Paul Allen’s book ‘Record Label Marketing’ includes information on link exchanges.
– Eric Richardson, Stephen Walther, and Jonathan Levine’s book ‘Promoting your site and managing banner advertising’ covers link exchanges.
– Adrian Sargeant and Elaine Jay’s book ‘Fundraising Management: Analysis, Planning and Practice’ mentions link exchanges.
Google’s Webmaster Tools and Support provide information on link schemes and their impact on search engine rankings.

Link exchange (Wikipedia)

A link exchange is a confederation of websites that operates similarly to a web ring. Webmasters register their websites with a central organization, that runs the exchange, and in turn receive from the exchange HTML code which they insert into their web pages. In contrast to a web ring, where the HTML code simply comprises simple circular ring navigation hyperlinks, in a link exchange the HTML code causes the display of banner advertisements, for the sites of other members of the exchange, on the member web sites, and webmasters have to create such banner advertisements for their own web sites.

The banners are downloaded from the exchange. A monitor on the exchange determines, from referral information supplied by web browsers, how many times a member website has displayed the banner advertisements of other members and credits that member with a number of displays of its banner on some other member's web site. Link exchanges usually operate on a 2:1 ratio, such that for every two times a member shows a second member's banner advertisement, that second member displays the first member's banner advertisement. This page impressions:credits ratio is the exchange rate.

One of the earliest link exchanges was LinkExchange, a company that is now owned by Microsoft.

Link exchanges have advantages and disadvantages from the point of view of those using the World Wide Web for marketing. On the one hand, they have the advantages of bringing in a highly targeted readership (for link exchanges where all members of the exchange have similar websites), of increasing the "link popularity" of a site with Web search engines, and of being relatively stable methods of hyperlinking. On the other hand, they have the disadvantages of potentially distracting visitors away to other sites before they have fully explored the site that the original link was on.

Engaging in link exchanges or paid linking activity is highly discouraged by Google and not recommended for webmasters seeking an advantage in search engine rankings. Google considers excessive link exchanges and exchanging reciprocal links "Link Schemes" and can suppress the linked site in search engine results or block it altogether.

« Back to Glossary Index

Submit your RFP

We can't wait to read about your project. Use the form below to submit your RFP!

Gabrielle Buff
Gabrielle Buff

Just left us a 5 star review

google

Great customer service and was able to walk us through the various options available to us in a way that made sense. Would definitely recommend!

google

Stoute Web Solutions has been a valuable resource for our business. Their attention to detail, expertise, and willingness to help at a moment's notice make them an essential support system for us.

google

Paul and the team are very professional, courteous, and efficient. They always respond immediately even to my minute concerns. Also, their SEO consultation is superb. These are good people!

google

Paul Stoute & his team are top notch! You will not find a more honest, hard working group whose focus is the success of your business. If you’re ready to work with the best to create the best for your business, go Stoute Web Solutions; you’ll definitely be glad you did!

google

Wonderful people that understand our needs and make it happen!

google

Paul is the absolute best! Always there with solutions in high pressure situations. A steady hand; always there when needed; I would recommend Paul to anyone!

facebook
Vince Fogliani
recommends

The team over at Stoute web solutions set my business up with a fantastic new website, could not be happier

facebook
Steve Sacre
recommends

If You are looking for Website design & creativity look no further. Paul & his team are the epitome of excellence.Don't take my word just refer to my website "stevestours.net"that Stoute Web Solutions created.This should convince anyone that You have finally found Your perfect fit

facebook
Jamie Hill
recommends

Paul and the team at Stoute Web are amazing. They are super fast to answer questions. Super easy to work with, and knows their stuff. 10,000 stars.

facebook

Paul and the team from Stoute Web solutions are awesome to work with. They're super intuitive on what best suits your needs and the end product is even better. We will be using them exclusively for our web design and hosting.

facebook
Dean Eardley
recommends

Beautifully functional websites from professional, knowledgeable team.

google

Along with hosting most of my url's Paul's business has helped me with website development, graphic design and even a really cool back end database app! I highly recommend him as your 360 solution to making your business more visible in today's social media driven marketplace.

yelp

I hate dealing with domain/site hosts. After terrible service for over a decade from Dreamhost, I was desperate to find a new one. I was lucky enough to win...

google

Paul Stoute has been extremely helpful in helping me choose the best package to suite my needs. Any time I had a technical issue he was there to help me through it. Superb customer service at a great value. I would recommend his services to anyone that wants a hassle free and quality experience for their website needs.

google

Paul is the BEST! I am a current customer and happy to say he has never let me down. Always responds quickly and if he cant fix the issue right away, if available, he provides you a temporary work around while researching the correct fix! Thanks for being an honest and great company!!

google

Paul Stoute is absolutely wonderful. Paul always responds to my calls and emails right away. He is truly the backbone of my business. From my fantastic website to popping right up on Google when people search for me and designing my business cards, Paul has been there every step of the way. I would recommend this company to anyone.

yelp

I can't say enough great things about Green Tie Hosting. Paul was wonderful in helping me get my website up and running quickly. I have stayed with Green...