Public Apology for Loathsome Behavior

[randfish]

Hi Webmasters,

After a prolonged absence following being banned from these forums, I have been re-instated with the permission of the webmaster. I firstly want to thank him/her for being forgiving and understanding. We may all mistakes, but mine was particularly insidious and selfish.

I had set up a reciprocal link directory on my website (I promised not to promote it here and so will not mention the URL) and was exchanging links with fellow webmasters. However, unbeknowst to them, I had placed a robots.txt file that prevented spidering of the links page by search engines. This meant none of my link partners received any benefit from the link I had pointing to them, while I reaped the benefit of nearly 50 one-way links to me.

More information about the specifics of my offense can be found here:
- http://forums.seochat.com/t15002/s.html
- http://www.realestatewebmasters.com/thread594.html

My link directory now offers free submission and one way links, hopefully as a way to atone for my bad deeds. Those partners whose sites I had previously exchanged links with have all been moved to the new, spiderable format.

I want to apologize to everyone here at RealEstateWebmasters, as I had exchanged links (and deceived) several members. I hope that I can offer my help & expertise on these forums as partial atonement.

Best wishes to the community,
randfish

P.S. I wanted to mention that as I have been link-building over the past 3 months, I have noticed 100s of sites doing exactly what I did. I urge these webmasters to cease this practice and for those seeking link exchanges to carefully watch for others who, like me, may have been tempted into this selfish act.

[ResaleBroker]

Welcome back.

[SEO Jason]

Welcome back Randfish, nice apology.

[Jenny Barclay]

Hi again Randfish,
I have deleted over 1600 links due to this and other factors.
I am sure that when I check the last 600 links placed over the last month or so, I will find many that have done the dirty since doing a recip.

[Vlado Tovarnak]

I admire you for how you unburdened your heart.

[MikeDammann]

Welcome back, Rand. It's amazing how much this is being done. I didn't think you would, but that's ok (I woulda kicked yo ass at the SES in San Jose had I known ... j/k )

Anyways....welcome back

[MikeDammann]

I've just realized how long ago that was ... bridge under the water IMO.

Once again: cool to see you here as well

Mike

[randfish]

Mike - Thanks.

What an old thread - what inspired you to post on it a year later?

Also, do note you've double posted!!

[MikeDammann]

wow, my bad I was looking at "whois online" and someone must have looked at it, I clicked and there it was. Let's bury it (didn't see the 2004)

[beachgal]

To err is human, to forgive is divine .... welcome back.