What Would You Do in This Situation?

[BTMSEO]

In doing competitive research, I've found a lot of competitors to my clients that take part in link exchanges. When using open site explorer, I'm see a ton of competitors that get links from blogs that are supposed to be niche blogs (like blogs about lotions, shoes etc...), but the articles are about random things like "best family dentistry" with keyword matching links in the content. When I find these link exchanges (I call them link exchanges, because it looks like these fake niche blogs are juicing a handful of the same websites), is there any appropriate steps to take, or should I just ignore them, and move on?

[GPainter]

Ignore them and move on, look at it this way. If your competitors get a penalty for all being in that link exchange they may all go down then your will laughing as you may become the top guy for that term.  So it may pay off down the line to find better results if you feel the blogs are spammy etc.

[Andy.Drinkwater]

Avoid them like the plague. Concentrate on building some good linkable assets on your own site and go for niche sites yourself. Keep it clean and you will be the one with the longevity.

-Andy

[SEO_Mechanic]

Avoid them because eventually they will be penalized.  Though it is frustrating to see a site elevated for unnatural reasons.

[tomwhite]

Agree with the previous comments, and I know from personal experience how 'tempting' it can be especially when your competitors are using these to rank higher than you...

...but know that some day (probably not too far away) they'll be scrambling because the links are devalued and you will rise higher (and most importantly stay there)

[BTMSEO]

Thanks for the responses everyone! I will look away and stay focused on helping my clients.