Does this count as a link exchange in eyes of google?

[webfeatseo]

If I see a site is linking to my site in an article I will often find a way to include them in one of my updates (if the site is of good quality). Does this count as a link exchange since they are linking to me and I am also linking to them?

Or is that only if it is a sidebar kind of link?

[DavidKonigsberg]

You should be fine as long as it looks natural and the site is industry related and you dont over do this tactic.

[bradwayland]

Personally, I would be a bit more cautious.  If every time someone links to you there is evidence that you link back it will appear to be an exchange.  I wouldn't say you need to abandon it completely but it would seem to me that over a long period of time it would make you appear like you were out seeking link exchanges.

[AREA203SEMTeam]

Link Exchange is basically you giving a anchor text to another website, and they do the same.  Hence link exchange.  It used to influence rankings a few years back, but seems to have lost power.

The trick now is to put valuable content out there, and people will link to you.  No need to exchange anymore.