Exchanging Follow/No-Follow Links with Parnter Site

[KingAir90]

Hi all,

Wondering how Google would interpret the exchange of a no-follow link for a follow link between partner websites.  I have a potential referral relationship with a business in my niche and we are hoping to cross-market.

The goal would be for my link on his page to be a follow link, while the link to his business on my page would be a no-follow.  Would my site get the benefit of a natural link in that scenario or would the two essentially 'cancel each other out' regardless of the follow/no-follow nature of the link?

Thanks in advance for any help!

-Rich

[RobertFisher]

Rich,

If this was the only link coming to your business it might have some plus or minus effect, but a single link from a single site is probably not good or bad for you. With links it is the overall picture that matters more. I would do it if it makes business sense; if it is being done just to exchange links I would not.

Best

[KingAir90]

Thanks, Robert.  My question is more of a technical inquiry rather than a theoretical link-building question.

If two sites (follow)link to each other, clearly that does not offer any link juice.  But if one site agrees to host a link as a no-follow strictly for visibility/leads/etc while the other partner hosts a follow link, would that provide an added benefit to the site with the follow link from an SEO perspective or do they still void each other out in the eyes of the algorithm?

[RobertFisher]

Any link that is followed will provide some level of link juice - even if it is reciprocal. The algorithm just views the reciprocal link as having less value. They do not void each other out to use your terms in my opinion.

I think the way you are going about it is the best way for this practice.

Best

[Chris.Menke]

RIch,

A lot of theory goes into link building because many aspects of it can be hard to measure consistently across the board and too many factors can come into play to even account for.  An exact answer to your question would need to take into account many factors which you have not described in your question.  What is the strength, age, authority of the domains?  Is there any relationship between those who have registered these two domains or do they own other domains together? What do their respective link profiles look like and recently, how have links been added to each domain?

When you say "If two sites (follow)link to each other, clearly that does not offer any link juice.", your "clearly" isn't necessarily so.  For example, if a high domain authority site and a low domain authority site followed-linked to each other, the one might expect that the low domain authority site would benefit most.

Don't confuse technicalities with absolutes.  Many of those who have are now battling the Penguin.