Are link exchanges really worth it ?

[megaman]

I've always been told that for SEO link exchanges are dead weight. i.e. that one way links are always superior than link exchanges ? If this is true then should one abandon link exchanges and focus purely on buying or acquiring one way links ? I still see loads of people asking for link exchanges so are they wasting they're time or is there some benefit to it.

Thanks, I know this might be a silly question but I just wanted to get everyone's idea's on it.

[PCKen]

It depends I think these exchanges are better for Yahoo search and almost useless for Google.  Organic link exchanges that are relevant to content can help google a little bit too, these sometimes take a long time to see any effect

[tradedemon]

Link exchanges as you say are a good place to start. No one's really going to link to you unless you link back when your site is new. So linking with relevant sites, gives you some visibility and them too. It's a natural thing and a good way to start off your SEO campaign.

[Alex]

Link exchange works like internal links.
So it can give you something but very, very little.

[amomswish]

Most of them are free if you put a reciprocal link on your page.  It may only bring a little traffic, but any traffic helps!