Yes, it can be done. Here are 7 ways that a site can acheive
increased link popularity without having to exchange links:

Directory Submissions - Submit to the Open Directory and other
sites like JoeAnt and Gimpsy. These are all human reviewed
directories, therefore search engines will consider that your
site must be of pretty good quality to be listed in them. Submission
to these sites is free, but there can be quite a wait to get
reviewed, since editors are unpaid volunteers. In addition to
a link popularity boost, a listing in Open Directory will get
your site listed in the other Open Directory powered sites
like Google's web Directory, AOL's web directory and many others.

Tips For Directory Submissions:

Editor Check - Is there an editor for your desired category?
If not, consider applying. For Open Directory, this can
give you the power to add your site much more quickly.

Link Title - Don't try any tricks to get keywords in your title
if they are not in your company name. This will get your listing
edited if the listing is approved or rejected outright. The
title must be your official website or company name.

Description - Again, don't try to insert extra keywords here,
it could backfire and your description will be edited or your
listing rejected. The description should be short and concise.
Just tell what your website offers and give some product or
service examples if appropriate. Again, keep it short!

Be patient! - It may take weeks or months to be reviewed. If
you've submitted before and are still not listed, try writing
a polite note to the editor of the category to see if there
was a problem.

Paid Submissions - Paid submissions to quality directories
and portals is also a good idea. It is well known that a
listing in the Yahoo directory area will give you a good
Google PageRank boost. Listing in the Yahoo directory area
is $299, so skip this option if your budget is limited.

Pay-Per-Click Search Engine Submissions - Google lists the
results of many smaller pay-per-click search engines. This
can help link popularity if your site is listed in these
results for your important keywords and phrases. There are
hundreds of these smaller PPC engines that offer a free
advertising credit just for signing up. Take a jaunt on
over to PayPerClickSearchEngines.com for a good list of them.
Submit listings under all your important keywords and phrases
and include keywords in your title.

Affiliate Program - Having an affiliate program can boost your
overall sales by letting other sites do the advertising for you,
but did you know that this can also help link popularity? For
some affiliate program services like Commission Junction or
LinkShare, they use a special link to track clicks and sales,
so these may not be effective since they do not contain your
actual domain name. The kind of affiliate program I am talking
about is the type that uses your domain name in the tracking URL
you give affiliates to use. Something like:
http://www.yourcompanyname.com/aff?64340
As long as your affiliate program uses this type of link, then
your site should see an increase in link popularity. Just make
sure you offer a good incentive for affiliates so that they will
add your link to their site. Even better, you can approve only
related sites or sites with a good Google PageRank or Alexa
traffic ranking into your program!

Specialized Submissions - What type of site do you have? What do you
sell? Chances are there is a directory that specializes in just
sites like yours. Have a casino or gambling site? There are many
gambling portals and search engines. Submit to all of them.
Have a site that sells antique fishing tackle? Yep, there are
directories relating to fishing, but you can also submit to the
many antique and collectible directories as well! Sell wedding
dresses in New York? Submit to the many wedding and bridal directories
and the New York search engines too. Whatever your niche, chances are
that there is a specialized directory or search engine for that area.
Find them and submit! You'll benefit from the targeted traffic they
send but also increased link popularity.

Create Your Own Directory - Set up your own specialized search engine,
directory or portal catering to your target audience. Your site can
be a featured or showcase site on the main page and other pages!
To attract users, add interactive content such as forums, have chats,
offer contests, the possibilities are endless.

Expired Domain Names - Maybe a site in your industry has gone out of
business? You may be able to pick up their domain name and with it
all their incoming links and traffic. Increase your link popularity
by adding your link to the site prominently, then go ahead and
re-direct the user to your site after a few seconds. Don't re-direct
quickly or you may not reap any link popularity benefits.

That's it! 7 ways to increase your website's link popularity without
maintaining a links page and without sending your visitors to competitors!