Myth-Busting

Hi,

I'm pretty new to seo and am just trying to build up a linking strategy for my website. I have joined a reciprocal link management site that allows me to swap links with other webmasters, however I've heard the following and need to know if they are true:-

1. The site linking to you must be relevant to your industry - (e.g. if you are an accountant, you should only get links from other accountants)
- My problem with this is if this true, how come links from directories are so valuable as they are not industry specific.

2. You not allow sites with more than 20 links per page link to you

3. You must not allow link pages coded in php to link to you

These are the only ones I can think of for now. An explaination of why these are true, if they are true, would be gratefully received.

Thanks.

1. A lot of people think that relevant links are better. It is not known whether this is used to determine the value of a link, but it probably will be sometime in the future so it is a good idea to get relevant links. Directory links are less valuable than links from content sites in my opinion.
2. That would be extremely difficult. I would say 100.
3. As long as they are indexed it is fine. If the google toolbar shows a gray PR bar then it is not indexed.

i do not support reciprocal links. you can get one way links through directories. Try this link
http://www.geocities.com/site_vortex/Directories_Indexes_Portals.html

I think relevant quotes are helpful for another reason. If someone searches for your keyword and your competitor's sites come up first, you might be listed if that user clicks on the "more like this site" link.

Google knows that sites are "similar" by seeing the types of sites are that are usually linked to from a certain site. For example, many accountant sites will probably have a link to banks, irs, etc.