I'm glad that I advise Realtors against link-sharing programs, because now major search engine Google.com has announced that it is actually banning sites that participate in any link-sharing programs, ones where you are required to host hundreds of links on your site as a requirement of membership..

Many of these programs are free or low cost, and require a link from your entry page to the first of a number of pages stuffed with text links to other sites. The sole purpose of these networks is to create hundreds of links from other sites to yours and from yours to these sites for improved search engine rankings. In my opinion, and obviously that of some of the search engines, these programs are just scams to fool the link popularity aspect of their algorithms.

In Webmaster circles, it has been rumored that AltaVista has also been dropping sites since the first of the year for the same reason. With the Google definitive announcement, it is imperative that if you are a member of such a program you cancel it at once! Plus, you should immediately remove all link-sharing web pages and logos from your own site. What may have seemed like a great idea at one time, may now have a major detrimental effect to your web traffic and web business!

The logos, text links and pages stuffed with links are very easy for all search engines to detect. As these two major search engines currently de-list sites that participate in the programs, it is certain other engines will follow. Links to and from your site are a great idea and do improve a sites positioning, but participation in these programs that are trying to scam the valid efforts of proper ranking by the search engines can, and will end up with the reverse effect to your site.

While on the subject of staying on search engines, here are some other tips you should heed:

1. Don't over submit your URL to search engines. The conservative approach here dictates you only submit one URL once a day to each search engine. Also, do NOT re-submit the same URL more than one time per month.

2. Don't use dubious techniques to try to trick the search engines into giving your site a better position. For example, text that is the same color as your page’s background, automatic re-directs of visitors to another page, or over repetition of keywords in your meta tags or on your page.

3. Don't stuff every real estate term into your keywords meta tag.

4. Don't place MLM, sex., hate or any other questionable links on your site.

5. Do read all search engine policies/guidelines prior to submitting your URL.

6. Be sure your keywords and description meta tags relate to the actual content on your page.

7. Getting web site ideas from competitors is fine, but do NOT copy code or content without written permission from the copyright owner.

8. Don't place your site on free hosting services if you plan on achieving top rankings. Though, a good ranking is not impossible, many search engines frown on these sub-domain pages. Plus, their glaring banners on each page, make your site look very unprofessional.

9. Don't use registered trademarks/names in your URL without prior written permission.

Everyone desires a page one position for their keywords. This is a great goal for which to strive, and it's achievable with a good design, top content and optimized coding. Shortcuts to top positions, like get rich quick schemes, sound good but just don't work! The bottom line is really quite simple, play by the rules and stay listed.

Editor's note: This article refers to linking networks, where you are required to host hundreds of links on your site as a requirement of membership. Developing your own links is of prime importance to generating traffic from other affiliated businesses as well as obtaining better search engine rankings. This one aspect of web site development is perhaps the most often overlooked, yet one of the most beneficial. So, in conclusion, stay away from instant linking programs and start to develop and implement a linking program to local businesses and affiliated web businesses that can and will work to increase your web site’s traffic.

Published: April 23, 2001

Use of this article without permission is a violation of federal copyright laws.

Bob Schwartz is a Certified Residential Specialist, real estate broker specializing in San Diego real estate & co-owner of an Internet search engine optimization firm, WebsiteTrafficBuilders.com, specializing in domain name registration and Internet domain website hosting. Bob received his BBA majoring in real estate & computer programming. Bob is an expert witness for major San Diego law firms, has served on the Consumer Affairs Community of the San Diego Association of Realtors, is past president of a local HOA and co-owner of a condominium management Co., and directs a multi-state high traffic network of legal directory sites. You can visit Bob's San Diego real estate site at BrokerForYou.com.