Does link exchange hurt?

[PaulNHS]

I was wondering if link exchange hurt search engine ranks or helps. If anyone has any information please let me know.

[kid disco]

It depends. Done right, it can help. However, unnatural patterns generally won't help.

[Philman]

When it comes to link exchanges, it is recommended that you only do link trades with sites that are based in a similar niche as you are. Stay away from creating a link directory on your site that contains all different types of topics.

Just think of it from the user's perspective. If they go to your site searching for real estate, then provide them with a good experience by giving them access to other good real estate sites that they may find interesting. Don't give them a directory where they can also buy music instruments, consumer electronics, and 'pharmaceuticals'... they won't be interested.

Having said that though, I've done some testing and realized that having links from different niches does help, just not nearly as much as those from a similar niche.