Am I right to delete so many links?

Well, for a start, let's make it clear. They are my links directories - so I am within my rights to do what I want! Ethically though, should I have mass deletions? Does it affect my page ranks?

Well I first tried a mass deletion back in early December - over 6 months and 3 page rank updates ago. I tried it on a PR5 and a PR4 website - and both still hold their page ranks. More than could be said for other sites. What's more, the page rank of the directory pages on these sites is quite good.

But why do I feel I should do it? I've noticed that many of these links that come back as grey barred pages are on pr5 / 6 or low pr sites. In the first case, I'm suspecting foul play is getting the other site a good ranking whilst hiding the link page my link back is on. So why should I help them when they don't help me?

In the second case, especially the pr0 / grey barred sites that I've been linking to for 18 months, something is wrong with the other site, so it is probably best to get out of that relationship.

I do state on the better PR links directories that I will only exchange with PR pages. This leads to people putting links onto home pages, submitting their site, getting them approved then either removing or moving the link to another page, hoping that my software will pick up the new location and I won't notice the PR drop. Very friendly when the recipient is getting a link on a PR3 / PR4 page.

Also, a lot of these are casino, mobile phone and adult orientated and absolutely nothing to do with the link page category. This is hindering the effectiveness of the page for people link swapping the way I want to be working.

Lastly, by filling up my directory with these useless swaps it is making it far harder for me to run my monthly checks. This means I'm not maintaining it as well as I should do. This is affecting the PR of the page and probably the site.

How would I feel if it was done back? Well, I've had enough link swaps rejected because my link page hasn't got enough PR and I estimate that 30% of link swaps are no longer reciprocated - the person requesting them have removed their link for some reason, and not told me.

So it seems I'm not the only one. Some of my link pages may also be grey barred - but the person requesting the link exchange can see that when they make the request. And if I never do anything to better the PR of these pages, then they will always be the same. Something needs to be increased!