Most TGPs will require a recip button link on your TGP gallery, not your main website.

Other entities like Hunk Hunter want a link on your site. Some are picky about the placement, others aren't. If any of these demand a link on your index page at the top, I'd tell them to shove it up their hoo-haw and move on.

Don't worry too much about distracting joiners, surfers are so used to seeing a million buttons at the bottom of the page that they rarely catch their eyes.

Cheers
Dzinerbear