Link building is the lifeblood of organic search.
That is because backlinks (and other off-page factors) help search algorithms determine the value of your content. Off-page SEO refers to external factors that contribute to your organic “reputation.”
They include user reviews, branded mentions, and social media engagement outside your domain but influence organic search results.
To determine where your content ranks, search bots crawl links and analyze millions of web mentions. They do this to determine how other people view your content. In doing so, they can better assess the value of your content relative to others in your niche.
Done right, off-page SEO helps users solve problems with relevant information. By becoming a trusted information source, you can generate leads and sales for your business.
Besides, a recent study showed that websites that rank on Google’s first page have at least 3.8x more backlinks.
As a result, many website owners are using reciprocal links as a solution for effective off-page SEO.
But is that the best link-building practice?
Here’s what we’ll cover:
- What is a reciprocal link?
- What is reciprocal link in SEO?
- Can reciprocal links help your content rank better?
- What is my best SEO move?
- Reciprocal links best practices: How to use them?
- Final thoughts: Will reciprocal links hurt your SEO?
What is a reciprocal link?
Reciprocal links, also known as “reciprocal linking” or “reciprocal links exchange,” are a type of hyperlink arrangement commonly used in the context of search engine optimization (SEO). They involve a mutual exchange of hyperlinks between two websites, typically owned by different individuals or organizations. The primary purpose of reciprocal links is to enhance the visibility and authority of websites on search engines, such as Google.
What Is Reciprocal Link in SEO?
High-quality backlinks are important for off-page SEO and organic search success. To this end, reciprocal links are commonly employed by link builders. Reciprocal link building is the deliberate exchange of hyperlinks between webpage owners.
By using reciprocal links, website owners hope to get the following advantages:
- Search bots can index their webpages faster.
- They generate traffic from the sources their pages link to (referral traffic).
- They command better domain and webpage authority scores.
- They rank better over time.
- Organic lead generation is a lot easier.
- They spend less on advertising channels.
- They make more money on average compared to competitors.
What’s more? By generating inbound leads from organic search, they spend less on paid advertising channels.
With that in mind, are reciprocal links okay? On that note, Google Webmaster John Mueller states the following:
Can Reciprocal Links Help Your Content Rank Better?
Not really.
To help you understand why, let’s go over Google’s stance on reciprocal links and the “Nofollow link” concept.
How Does Google Feel About Reciprocal Links?
Google does not like them. Also, it actively penalizes websites that seem to use them in a spammy way. Here’s why.
Before 2005, Google relied a lot on PageRank. The main idea was that the more links a piece of content generated, the more helpful it was. As a result, pages with lots of links ranked higher than others.
Unfortunately, Black hat SEOs exploited the loophole. They ranked poor content by spamming links from irrelevant sources. Thus, the Nofollow link was born.
What Is a Nofollow Link?
A “Nofollow link” is an instruction that tells the algorithm to ignore the captured link in its PageRank calculation.
When you use the Nofollow tag, you’re telling Google (and other search engines) to ignore that link when deciding where your content ranks. A clear strategy to disarm bad actors and preserve search integrity.
While this hasn’t eliminated bad behavior, together with the fact that Google relies on off-page indicators for brand authority, it has made it difficult for black hat SEOs to spoof search results.
For example, you may struggle if you have millions of links, but no brand mentions or social media engagement.
Knowing these things, you’re probably wondering what your best move is right now.
What Is Your Best SEO Move?
Reciprocal links will not solve your SEO problems.
That is good news for two reasons.
First, you cannot be outdone by a spammer who does not put in the work. Second, since reciprocal links are not a definitive ranking factor, you can rank against established websites.
When it comes to success in organic search, your best bet is to create the best possible content for your niche. If you have no audience, distribute content consistently and experiment often to see what works.
It’s okay to seek out big websites and link to them for social proof. However, creating great content and providing insights will serve you better.
Reciprocal links best practices: How to use them?
- Ensure the link points to relevant content
The cornerstone of successful reciprocal linking is relevance. When exchanging links, make certain that the linked page on your site aligns with the content of the linking site. This not only enhances the user experience but also signals to search engines the legitimacy of the reciprocal link.
- Confirm the linking content provides added value
The reciprocated link should add value to both your site and the one you’re linking to. This added value can come in the form of informative content, useful resources, or a complementary perspective on a subject related to reciprocal link building.
- Examine the SEO metrics of the linking site
For optimal reciprocal links, assess the linking site’s SEO metrics, such as domain authority, page authority, and trustworthiness. Ensure that the site you’re partnering with maintains a good SEO standing to benefit from the association.
- Foster genuine relationships
Reciprocal links work best when they stem from authentic connections with other website owners or businesses. Building genuine relationships with like-minded individuals or organizations can lead to more meaningful reciprocal link exchanges.
- Reach out to bloggers and influential figures
Consider reaching out to bloggers, influencers, or authoritative figures in your niche. Collaborating with these influential individuals not only enhances the credibility of reciprocal links but can also boost your site’s visibility, as their audience is more likely to engage with your content.
- Identify strategies to enhance backlink potential
Explore strategies to make your reciprocal links more appealing, such as offering guest posts, contributing high-quality content, or proposing innovative ideas to your link partners. Enhancing the backlink potential can lead to a more successful reciprocal link strategy.
- Refrain from linking to competing websites
Avoid reciprocal linking with direct competitors, as it may not serve your SEO objectives. Instead, seek partnerships with complementary websites, allowing you to share audiences without competing for the same keywords or traffic.
- Assess reciprocal link requests
When considering reciprocal link requests, scrutinize them. Ensure that the requesting site aligns with your niche and follows best practices for reciprocal link building. Reject requests that don’t meet your criteria to maintain the quality of your outbound links and protect your site’s profile.
Final thoughts: Will reciprocal links hurt your SEO?
Now that you understand the limitations of reciprocal link building, you need to create extraordinary content that naturally generates links. To do that, you need insight-driven content, good distribution, and a web host you can trust.
When selecting a web host, make sure to look out for features like high-speed load times and consistent uptime rates. Getting your infrastructure right can complement your content and make it a potent link magnet.
Get your link-building journey started with the right foot by availing of Bluehost’s web hosting plans today.
