(Entry was posted by Devin Peterso on this post in the Dumb SEO Questions community on Facebook, 05/31/2013).

I`ve resisted linking to other sites that are already linking to me?

So I`ve read extensively that reciprocal links don`t really help, as a result I`ve resisted linking to other sites that are already linking to me, even though I want to share their information. This keeps the link a "one-way link" and thus better than if it was "reciprocal". But that just doesn`t seem right. Can someone clarify this for me so I can feel better about turning some one-way links into reciprocals?

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YOUR ANSWERS

Selected answers from the Dumb SEO Questions Facebook & G+ community.

Tony McCreath: Quick answer is don`t worryabout it and link to anything that you think helps your visitors.
Justin Y: +Tony McCreath is right. If it serves a purpose and seems natural to do so, do it. People have been worrying too much about adding links, removing links, etc. Your pages aren`t affected by just links, links are only one small piece of the pie. That`s my "opinion"
Rick Peterson: Its really only a problem if the site linking to you has a bunch of reciprocal links on it or if you have a bunch of reciprocal links on your site. Really people are saying not to go to directories or spam sites and get them but if you look at bloggers they have hundreds and do just fine
Louise Goldstein: The way I see it is if the site you want to link to is a valuable resource to your site visitors which will improve or enhance your visitor`s web experience it`s ok. Google will view your website as an authority if you provide links to high quality resources.
Cody Baird: You will give yourself brain damage over the upcoming years, and waste valuable time measuring metrics in that way. Create USEFUL + USABLE content. Part of useful and useable is providing valuable resources which are often other sites with correlating information. Your visitors will become return visitors because you shared what you can and also point them (links) in the right direction. This same USEFUL & USABLE content will pull way more links than spending time measuring wither to offer reciprocal back links.

Summary - build amazing content that people want to read, re-read, share socially, and ultimately link to you because you add value to their post/topic.