Hi Michael;

> I can understand a desire not to be linked
> to if the linking site is totally unrelated.
> Such as a sex site linking to your tea-towel
> embroidery business. But when a themed site
> links to another site with the same theme,
> and the linked to site gets their knickers
> in a knot, then someone is a few milligrams
> short on magnesium me thinks.

In the example you mentioned, the site was obviously being anal about the non-payment for a membership.

However, "not" wanting someone to link to my site would not make me (or anyone else) short on magnesium. *g*

Today, many of the search engines look at the QUALITY of the pages that link to you in determining your ranking - not just the quantity.

More is better is an old technique whose day has passed.

So, as I seek "linkback," I'm going to look for sites that have ranking that's close to my own or better to bring my ranking up. If a tons of people with low ranking trade links with me, I stand to lose ranking while they gain it. That forces me to work harder to keep mine high.

I've seen it happen time and time again in my daily work. When I am hired to redesign a site, or do other graphic work, I add a "design (or graphics) by LindaCaroll.com" link at the bottom of their site... and add them to my page. Then, we watch their ranking and listings go up almost immediately. So far, the record response has been a noticable improvement within two weeks. From not listed in Google and Yahoo to page two listings.

When it comes to linking, who is more important than how many.

It isn't magnesium, but the result can be darn close to electric. : )

Linda




More about search engines here..