Why forums do not use link exchange directories?

**freetraff** · 01-12-05

Webmasters, I am a little puzzled why forums are not using link exchange directories.

This will help to get bigger PR and more anchored keywords.

One member of this forum assured me that search engines do not index inner content of the forum. I think link exchange directory won't do any harm. Then why forums are not making them? Am I missing something?

**Art** · 01-12-05

Why do you think forums don't use link exchange directories?

**freetraff** · 01-12-05

Well, I gave a glance to the forums I dwell on, they don't use. And these are top IM forums. This forum by the way has 'DIRECTORY' link dead too.

Surely I cannot talk about all forums. But nice directory is extra traffic. Extra traffic is never bad.

**morleymouse** · 01-12-05

there are some useful links here: http://www.a4uforum.co.uk/arc/

but just think, why should this forum give me, you, anyone a free backlink with good anchor text?

Also the traffic you would get from this forum, at a guess and in my opinion would be crap! Why am I going to buy something via your affiliate links that I can buy through mine?

Granted if someone does me a favour ill happily go on a lil spending spree through their site, just to be greatful like but otherwise most affiliates are more likely to use their own links.

**Aelf** · 01-12-05

This thread brings me nicely to a little devious linkage exploit I have been subject to.

Some people from this forum have used a robot to ply their links into sections of my forums.

Now I don't mind links being put in if you're an active posting member but to be slipped in by a robot is just too cheeky for words.

So all you gambling chaps out there either come in and introduce yourself properly or edit my site from your robot campaigns.

Rennie
www.escape-to-the-seventies.com

**freetraff** · 01-12-05

Actually I am thinking more of the anchored text. The more extra keywords, the better. If someone looks for Sony camera and finds a post about Sony camera and huge discount on it, why not using this chance?

I understand this forum already has nice traffic - forum is reputable. But other forums can be interested in getting more traffic.

**Art** · 01-12-05

Originally Posted by Aelf

Some people from this forum have used a robot to ply their links into sections of my forums.

Now I don't mind links being put in if you're an active posting member but to be slipped in by a robot is just too cheeky for words.

Just don't allow guests to post and use script/bot flood control.

**OLBG** · 01-12-05

Ive never allowed guests to post to my forum but I also had to add "visual confirmation" to the registration process as I was finding that bots were automatically registering and posting spam. Now theyve stopped