Links at bottom page of free WP themes

[Strider1973]

I've found a nice free WP theme. However, it has four links pointing to other poker sites at the bottom of the page.

From a SEO point of view - I think that it is bad to have too many links on my own site pointing to sites that I don't own.

Should I look for another WP theme or is it OK to remove these links?

[DealerDan]

I would contact the author and see if you can work something out. Ask if you can remove all but 1 of the links, or if you can add the links to a page/post on the site instead as in-content links.

[Unknown Webmaster]

It definitely isn't okay to remove the links without permission from the author. Whoever created the theme most likely did it just to have those links there, and would not be pleased if you remove them.

[xYassassinYx]

You should also check that the links aren't encrypted, I've found lots like that.

Best thing is to do like the guy's above said and contact the owner and discuss with him - you cant just delete links from peoples work

[OPC]

Removing the links violates the copyright. Moreover, a lot of the free templates out there are created is mass, and individuals purchase the links as a sponsor. The links are typically encoded.

While I do not suggest removing the links, you'd be well served to explore the possibility of decoding the footer and reviewing each file in the theme one by one to ensure nothing else is getting served through the theme. I've run into a few bad themes, though in fairness I've also found some great free themes.

Back to the point though, it's typically not acceptable to remove the footer links. I strongly suspect if you contact the creator of the theme - he may not give you permission to remove the links, but he may be inclined to sell or build you a link-free theme to your specifications.

[MJ]

If it's that great a theme, pay a designer to make one similar.

If your site budget won't allow for a paid theme, I'm sure 4 links won't be much of an SEO concern anyways.

[Strider1973]

Thank you very much for all your clear answers - thats pretty much what I suspected.

I'll try to find another theme with no footer or only one link.

[Graham]

Definitely not okay to remove the links. The reason the links are there is so that you can have it for free. Someone worked on this and by removing the links you are essentially stealing.

Will they matter? I doubt they will matter all that much. What you could do is build a site with the free template and once it starts making some money and you can afford it switch over to a paid design.

[Strider1973]

Thanks - I will not try to edit a footer of a free template.

How bad are these footer links for my own links I will add, pointing to other websites from me?

[imteaz]

Well, Do not remove the links without permission from the Owner. If you remove any links then you may be in trouble if you get caught. However, i have seen few people remove the footer link those who does not care the copyright.

I have sponsor over 100 theme and most of them you will find on my blog siblu.ca

When i see people remove link from my theme, i email them and ask to put it back.
Its Free theme because we paid the Coder & Designer to make it Free for people.
If you do not like the footer link then pay the Designer and coder for your own unique theme.
Its for the people who can not afford to buy theme or part time blogger.