I would like to know what tools people use when deciding on whether to exchange links with a site or to ask for a one way link.

Can you pls. explain your query a little?

link:site.com checking how many links they have, how many pages listed etc

in response to jackie - i was wodnering what people use to determine whether to exchange linsk with a site or whether to ask for a link on a site . I', talking more in depth than just page rank of page where link is coming from etc

I've been using this before http://www.download.com/QuidProQuo-R...-10434075.html

Janna gave just a good tool...it'll actually give you the exact place on where your link is located...you may also want to tryhttp://www.backlinkwatch.com/index.php

^ same as them

Nothing a search engine provides.
Nothing a backlink checking tool provides.

Why?

Because neither reveal the most important detail: how much traffic comes from the links.

So what do I use?

My site stats (specifically, referring URLs.) If a site is sending me traffic, it's a good backlink (primarily because I don't reciprocate for the pure sake or reciprocation).

what about if you are looking for links , whcih sites would you approach and request a link i know the usual :

relevant site , good pr , no link famrs etc

How would you identify good "new" link partners

the best sites would be the ones containing information of products and services you offer on your site but do not compete with you on actual sales. this way you get a quality backlink from a site related to yours in content, you also get RELEVANT real traffic and best of all...they do not take business from you....now that you know what to do....good luck getting a link from such a site.

I place less weight on pr and more on relevant link partners...this way you also gain trust with search engine (sorry ...only one relevant). trust is the must unknown factor in the google formula but has a lot of weight.

the reason i do not place the highest weight to "high"PR sites because you never know (who they have been in bed with) where the exact PR comes from (you can but don't waist your time). there are fake PR sites and black listed sites and many other isues...these site may be panelized the at the next google update and you do not want to be associated with these site when that happens.

did i miss anything?

Helpful post? Add to my Talkupation

Jeff I don't really thing their is such a thing as a good link partner. That doesn't mean I've never exchanged links with another site, but I think the way you're looking at it isn't the right approach.

When I link out from my site the only criteria is whether or not I think visitors to my site will find some value in the link. If I don't think the link provides value I don't link to the other site. It makes no difference to me if it means I lose a link back from them.

Instead of looking for link partners try building relationships with people who have sites with topics similar to your own. When you build a relationship with someone then you each link to each other where it's appropriate. You generally don't have to ask for the links either.