I’ve noticed some try to make their message appear personalized (”I visited your blog [link inserted here] and read you post [title inserted here].”) to try and make me think the message was sent especially to and only me… However, after reading a few sentences, it’s painfully clear they didn’t take the time to “research” my business and what I stand for.

I treat those messages like spam. Call me extreme, as I’m sure many of these people/companies are well meaning and offer awesome products/services, but, as you say here, you’ll have to earn it.

I don’t ask for reciprocal links (I want people to link to me because they love my stuff). That’s how I add links on my blog and that’s how I’ll continue doing so. Spontaneous linking to my site doesn’t automatically qualify you. I don’t usually ask for favors, so don’t ask me. Again, they’ve gotta earn it.

Thanks for speaking so candidly about and putting words to a growing trend in email solicitation (again, I label it spam) that personally bugs the heck out of me.

While we’re on the subject, I’ve added Startup Spark to my blogroll!!

I’m pretty new to all this SEO stuff, but IMHO I still think reciprocal links are a good thing, as long as the links are good and relevant. I would not want to link to a site without checking it out first. If I was happy with the content and felt it was relevant and useful to my target audience, I would consider a reciprocal link.

I would rely on my link actually being used and for new readers to visit my blog/website. If I achieved some new subscribers and sales, it would be worthwhile.

I think the problem is that some people are just concerned with the link being there to improve their SEO, rather than attracting new visitors to their site, who are likely to be returning customers.

I also appreciate that a high-ranking site will reep no benefit from swapping links with a low-ranking newbie (unless, of course, the newbie becomes very succesful!)

I will continue to be open-minded about reciprocal links, whilst not relying on them for traffic.