Did You Really Email A Googler For A Link Exchange?

Jan 12, 2012 - 8:38 am 39 by

Susan MoskwaThat is a picture of Susan Moskwa, a Google Webmaster Trends Analyst, who works with the search quality team at Google.

Someone sent her an email requesting a link exchange. In fact, it is fairly common for Googlers, including top well-known Googlers like Matt Cutts, to receive link exchange requests via email.

Susan posted on Google+ the email she received and the response she sent back. Her response was, you and your site violated Google's guidelines and will be reported as such.

Link exchange email request:

Hi, my name is Mary. I came across your website, THEDAME.NET, and would like to propose a link exchange between your sites and [redacted].com. Did you know, exchanging links will generate more traffic to both of our sites. Best of all it's FREE; there is no cost or hidden fee. We simply ask for a link back from a page on your site. Simple enough, don't you think?

Here is Susan's response:

Seriously, Mary? You sent a link exchange request to a member of the Google search team, for a domain that isn't even hosted?? You didn't even look at the site, did you. MAJOR LINKSPAM FAIL. I'm reporting your site to Google for violating our Webmaster Guidelines.

Serious response!

John Mueller from Google said that he gets between 3-4 a week of these a week.

Forum discussion at Google+.

 

Popular Categories

The Pulse of the search community

Search Video Recaps

 
Video Details More Videos Subscribe to Videos

Most Recent Articles

Search Forum Recap

Daily Search Forum Recap: January 16, 2026

Jan 16, 2026 - 10:00 am
Google Updates

Google Search Ranking Volatility Hits January 15-16

Jan 16, 2026 - 8:41 am
Search Video Recaps

Search News Buzz Video Recap: Google Personal Intelligence, Universal Commerce Protocol, Apple Picks Gemini & Ongoing Search Volatility

Jan 16, 2026 - 8:01 am
Google Search Engine Optimization

Google To Prioritize Removing Prediction News Content From Search & News

Jan 16, 2026 - 7:55 am
Google Maps

Google AI Overview Local Pack Leading To Huge Drops In Visibility

Jan 16, 2026 - 7:51 am
Bing Ads

Microsoft Advertising Adds Share Of Voice Metrics, Asset Group-Level URL Options, Customer Acquisition Goals...

Jan 16, 2026 - 7:41 am
 
Previous Story: Google Background Image Of Naked Women