Is it ever the case that a link isn't worth having?

[Benj25]

We have been asked to provide a link on our website to a website which provides us with recycled computers to use (our company brand is based around recycling).

They have agreed that we will get a reciprocal link back to our site.

However the comparisons show that - perhaps this isn't worth it?

Our page authority: 39, theirs 26. Our domain authority: 41, theirs 14. Our linking root domains: 41 theirs 7.

Finally their links are in the # [li] list [/li] # format

I guess my question is threefold:

1 - Will they get significantly more out of this linking opportunity than we will?

2 - Is it worth having the link anyway? (Can it hurt us in any way?).

3 - Does having links in the  # [li] list [/li] # format effect the power of the links contained?

Thanks.

[SteveOllington]

They will be getting more from this yes.

But, you need to consider where the link will be, not just on what page of the site but where on that page.

Will it be on the footer, a side bar, in body content?

Also, how many other links are on that page, what text will be surrounding the link?

Mainly though, above the issues of the Moz Rank, etc... is the link of any vale through relevance? If it is of value to users then take it no matter what the MozRank is, if not, then you need to consider that they will be getting more out of it than you. Maybe suggest that your link is on their homepage, whilst the link you give to them is on a weaker page on your site.

[EGOL]

I rarely, rarely link to people who ask for a link.  Most of them are link weasels.  We are not in the business of promoting other people's websites.  We are in the business of making content for our visitors.

If I have any interest at all in linking to another site I visit their site and check it out.  Who are they linking to, can I see anything that looks like link manipulation.  Anything fishy and no link for them.

I do not believe that the link that you are being offered with will provide any benefit to you.  It sounds like they are blocking linkjuice.  They are either ignorant about this or this is intentional.  Probably intentional.

You are in the driver's seat if you want this link.  They asked first, so you can tell them what it will take to make the link happen.  If you want this link then tell them to give you a standard link.

Is your question about this simply value given for value received or do you have an editorial concern about adding their link to your site.

[Benj25]

No editorial concern, they are a decent company who we buy recycled computers from, if the link isn't damaging in anyway perhaps it is worth our time.

[Benj25]

The content will be in the paragraph in a list format. A small amount of text to the top and bottom and around 15 other links to companies the company has done work for. It is relevant to our business, just about, I was just concerned a link could be damaging or have no value whatsoever.

[SteveOllington]

If it's not a spammy site in a spammy neighbourhood, and there's not tonnes of other links on the page (and it's not from a page called links.html lol) then go for it I reckon

They'll get more from it but neither of you will get that much anyway from it being reciprocal. There's a good chance it'll pass a little value at least so I wouldn't say no.

Having said that, much like what EGOL has said, I don't give requests I receive any time to get that far, they get deleted from my inbox as soon as I get the gist that it's a link request, although that's primarily because of the vast amount of spammy link requests I've received.

[Benj25]

Thanks Steve, might as well go for it then. It is a friend of ours. Thanks.