One way inbound links are the gold of the gold. These links are the most valuable for you, and they are truly votes in favor of your site.

If you pressed me, I'd say that all inbound links are votes for your site. But in reality the reciprocated link just isn't as valuable as the one way link. It should be obvious to you why. The search engines are savvy enough to be able to tell that the link is not reciprocated. Those new algorithms they have developed that devaluate reciprocated links, where you link to the site that links back to you, provide a bonus for you when the link is not reciprocated. Think about it. When someone links to you, takes the chance of losing their user, it must be for a good reason. It's because they feel your site will be valuable to their users.

How to get one-way inbound links? Well, it isn't easy. There are some methods, and I challenge you to use your brain to find some more. This really is rocket science!

One of my favorites, if used wisely, is a great way to get some inbound links, while gaining positive exposure as well. It involves surfing the net looking for blogs and forums that are relevant to your market, there are no doubt lots of them, and becoming a member. Once you are a member, and have read many of the posts, you are able to post your own questions or comments, and also answer other people's questions. This is where you can leave a link back to your site!

Not all blogs and forums are made the same. Some do not allow you to leave a link. Some only allow a link in the signature area. Most do though, and it is a great way to get those inbound links.

But, there's always a but huh ... you need to do this with caution, and with knowledge. Don't just pop into a conversation and leave a quick message like Joe's website tells you all about widgets! and leave, never to return. Study up on what is going on. Spend some time getting used to the site, the people who are regulars and becoming a regular yourself. Don't think of this as a one time drop by and get a link. Think of it as a group you are going to join and become a familiar nick (short for nickname, meaning a familiar face). It's well worth the time, and, you'll wind up defining yourself as an expert on the subject!

Directory submissions are also one-way inbound links. Not quite the same, and often you can't dictate what your anchor text will be, and you get one entry, that's it, but still a valuable source of an inbound link. Especially from DMOZ.org, that human run directory that is often quite difficult to get listed in.

You can also send lots of emails out to other websites asking for them to link back to you. Getting high PageRank relevant sites to link back to you is probably going to be like pulling teeth, but if done right it can product a link or two. Hard work, but valuable links. When doing this I have developed an email that tries to convince the website owner that his users will benefit greatly from finding my site. If he helps them to find it, by placing a link, they will be eternally grateful to him. Ya, ya, ya ... not a very productive way to get links but I have got some this way ... albeit, very few.