Have you been reading about link building but don't know where to start? Are you an experienced SEO specialist using the same methods you always used? Read on to find out how new linking rules will affect the future of your website. 

One way links work for search positioning. There's no doubt about it. But, have you considered that what works today may not work in the future? 

One exciting aspect about search engines is that nobody really knows everything. That leaves room for webmasters who are willing to research, test, and put into practice the best search engine optimization techniques. 

These five rules for one way linking can help steer you in the right direction. 

Rule #1: You have to be proactive. Search Engines consider a high quality link as something you have to earn. You earn these links by partnering with sites. In order for a partnership to work, you have to develop a relationship. I think more webmasters are open to establishing vital community relationships. It takes trust and a lot of patience for these relationships builds. Focus on what you can do for someone else. 

Rule #2: Keep an open mind. High Page Rank still lingers in most web masters’ minds. But, by concentrating on high Page Rank sites, we miss out on other linking opportunities. Most of us understand that Page Rank doesn't happen overnight. That's why it's important to seek out lower PR, high quality sites. The advantage is that these webmasters are more open to establishing partnerships. 

Rule #3: Site age is a big factor. Any site that has been around since the late 1990s is going to have a higher "score". These sites have weathered search engine updates, bad economies, and bad press. All else being equal, site age is the determining factor for a potential link partner. 

Rule #4: Stop worrying about what you can't control. Do what's best for you and your customers. Don't NOT do something because you're worried it will ruin your SEO work. If you have a solid customer base, your search engine rankings won't be as crucial. The viral aspect of the web is extremely underestimated. Search traffic is only one source of traffic. 

Rule #5: Can you be trusted? Having a solid client list, establishing relationships with other webmasters, providing great customer service. These activities are all based on trust. Can you be trusted to follow through? If you are trustworthy, your link building will be trustworthy. If you're in it for the short term, like all spammers, then you can't be trusted.  

The web is wide open for those webmasters who are willing to develop relationships for the long run. In the future, one way links will be graded on trust. So, you need to ask yourself, am I trustworthy? It's give and take. Are you willing to give before you can take?