Recently I have read several threads concerning link exchanges, with titles that vary from "Link conmen" to "How many links on a page" and "Whether or not link to framed sites" and more...

After replying to an email from an Advanced Access user today I finally decided it was time to post. (rant)

I know that many here link with these sites and I used to until I got educated.

There are even some AA members on this forum exchanging links daily, which offer ZERO benifit to their link exchange partners.

Many times my SEO expert and I have wondered why some AA sites fare so well in Google.

Here is why I believe they do...

Almost all of their links appear to be "ONE WAY" because Google can not see their link to you.

If you have the Google Toolbar installed try this:

Click inside the frame, then right click and then select Cached Snapshot of Page and see what you get.

I did this on several AA sites over the last few days and I have found very few that were cached. The only ones that were cached had a link to that page from a sitemap or another page. I also found that it was usually just the first page in the category.

Here is an example of what I found when checking one of the forum members who actively pursue link exchanges:

Your search - cache:http://www.lvrealty.net/PageManager/...?PageID=172689 - did not match any documents.

Now, that page is the second page from the category they call "Reciprocating Links" hmmm.

Te be fair though, I will say that the first page in that category did have a cache from March 15, 2005 and I found another that had a cache from October of 2004. So if you can get a link from them on the first page you might be ok.

In another category called Favorite Links and then Realtors in other States, I could not find a cached page.

I do not know what the rest of the members here will do with this information, however, I am done giving "ONE WAY" links.

Perhaps AA site owners should get out Websters and look up Reciprocate.

My policy towards AA sites in the future will be "No thanks". Even though I might be able to find a page on their site that has been cached, it's just too much work.

Salt River, welcome to the forum.

It is true that many AA sites do include their links pages within framesets, and I would not exchange links with these sites either, however there are many sites on AA thanks to education in forums such as this that have figured out they need to make use of the NF function at AA (Which they dont let you know about unless you ask)

Here is an example of a cached links directory from an AA site http://www.onlineazhomes.net/PageMan...ID=885261&NF=1

As you can see it makes use of the NF function and all pages should be cached, however this is still not an optimal solution.

You are not alone in not wanting to link to AA sites, however at this time, we do "if" the pages are cached and that is it.

There are many other people who are not on AA, that have their site setup so that the links they are getting arent cached whether intentionally or not, so it is not just an AA problem. but I must say you are not alone in your frustration.

Once again welcome to the forum - I hope you will stick around as there are many non framed link partners and friends to be made here, as well as lots of info on ranking for real estate
Cheers

It would help to see the cache if you put the url in correctly when querying google:
http://www.lvrealty.net/PageManager/.../PageID=172689

The page was just cached again by Google on 3-19-05 at 17:59 GMT.

As Morgan pointed out, quite a few sites out there have trouble getting all of there pages cached.

As an AA customer I can say that AA has made big strides on this topic. Now all memebers can ask to have a link directory set up for them and a basic non fromed structure is in place for them to start with. This saves many from having to set up 50+ pages from scratch as I did to make the pages look good to G. All of my pages in my site are cached, have PR, pass PR, and my links show up as backlinks in all the search engins for my link partners.

I have turned down many link requests from AA clients that haven't changed over to the non-framed set up, but will link to any that have a cache. Some of us have gone to great lenghts to make directories that are of benefit to our link partners so please try not to generalize 100%.

You can take a look at my real estate directory and see what I mean. My state pages (example: CA) are all cached and have ok PR. If you think a link from these pages would be worthless than so be it. To your defense I will have to say that I am not the average AA user and many of the links are worthless as the site owners are to lazy to switch over to the correct format.
__________________
Chicago Homes - Chicago MLS - Our Relocation Directory

I say bravo. It's good that they made changes.

__________________
Brevard MLS Search
Satellite Beach Real Estate
Advanced Brevard MLS Search

Ken,
I think you have done just about the best job I have seen on an AA site, it is examples like yours that I feel have really helped make AA stand up, take notice and make changes. They are just playing catch up now.

Good job bro!

__________________
Want to save up to 50% off Real estate webmasters product websites & common upgrades? Check out my latest blog post regarding our end of the year sale.

I think Ken just has a better grasp on what a page should be and look like. I'd guess many, if not most, AA site owners know nothing or little about web development (not that they should - they sell homes -not websites) and use the site as a turn-key for leads, caring less about other agents links and the whole SEO'd ideal site. From what I have heard, many other agents DON'T WANT TO learn about it, just get me the leads - they claim....
And you don't have to be a mechanic to know how to drive a car, but hey, it sure does come in handy.. - Ken is obviously a web mechanic!

Oh and PS, much respect for the standing up for your AA site(and designing it better)!

__________________
Search Homes for Sale in SAN DIEGO and other San Diego Real Estate via the San Diego MLS.

Ken's site is drastically different than most AA sites. I do not believe I have seen another one like it.

It doesn't look like an AA site or act like one.

I even noticed that we exchange links.

In fact, he has three links on my site and I have one on his... I hadn't noticed that one. But, more power to him for getting that past my SEO team.

Great Job, KEN.

PM me link info with 2 other interior pages you would like to have better results with in the SERP's and I will add links to them. I have no problem being fair in the trade, not sure how I got 3 for 1 in the first place. You can re-write the description or I will make it work with the new links and keywords.
__________________
Chicago Homes - Chicago MLS - Our Relocation Directory

Thanks for the pat on the back. The site is a major work in progress, but you get the feel for what all the pages will look like from the home page. Just need to find a few more hours and I will be finished with it (design side)...except for going after more cities.

There are a few others that have made their sites look even better than mine. It isn't as good as some that I have seen in these forums, but it does make me money to pay for the next site.
__________________
Chicago Homes - Chicago MLS - Our Relocation Directory