Link that Halibut

The other day, Purple 13 received an email from someone asking us to engage in a reciprocol link exchange with them.

The email looked legitimate but had a flavour of being generated by some link building software/company – it even had a link to 'link wizard'.

The email read:
Please use the link information provided below:
Site Name: Alaska Halibut Fishing Charter
Description: One of the oldest outfits on the peninsula. Well established, family owned and operated charter fishing. In this business, experience counts, over 15 years of knowledge and expertise to make your trip a success.

Now I may not know everything about SEO but I do know that non related links are about as much use as a chocolate fireguard and can even harm your own standing with Google and others who will dismiss such links as not worthy. Heaven forbid you get classed as a link farm – then just watch your ratings plummet.

I wrote a very polite reply back pointing this out so hopefully they'll learn something and drop their automated link building like a hot halibut.

I did suggest they may wish to link to one of Mandy's artworks entitled 'Strange Fish', you can see it here for yourself.

Admittedly only just on topic but they did ask. We shall not be reciprocating the link on this occasion.

Or perhaps they'd like to remind their UK visitors to order a fabulous personalised photo gift featuring their prize catch on their return to the UK.

My point? Well firstly beware of such emails. I'm sure out of the 10,000+ emails they sent, they'll get at least a dozen yes which they'll consider a success, however, you do fear that these links will do more harm then good to both sides.

Watch very carefully who you link to, ask questions and don't be afraid to say no.

If we can save just one Halibut, then it'll be worth it.