End of Link Buying?

[giggler]

You might want to read Matt Cutts' new post. 3rd on on the site about paid links...

It was just posted today!

[SasaVtec]

I would recommend that you read the whole post including comments.

[giggler]

I did read it, but it sounds like you'd have to put links as redirects or "no-follow" or that's it's not effecting search engine ranking. But any links without those attribute will effect the search engine...and if it's feature links, then it's paid links.

[shadav]

what site lol a link would be nice

[David]

I think most directories are clear about their policy for links (free or paid). I think Matt is especially after situations where it is not clear and when it is done on high profile sites. Regardless of that, I do not believe this is something google will be able to police very well, nor do I believe google has the right to interfere in the business of others.

If Business A has a private purchase from Business B, it is really none of Google's business.

Google can rank a site based on publicly available information. Using private information such as reporting from other parties (when the information may or may not be true) could be grounds for legal action. Moreover, how can google judge what consitutes payment:
1) Party A gives Party B $500
2) Webmaster A requires a link back in exchange for work provided (which might be helpful for other who want work too)
3) Webmaster A requires link for use of custom designed template (which might be helpful for other who want a template too)
4) Webmaster A trades links with Webmaster B
5) Webmaster A buys a link on Webmaster B's site to help a charitable organization
6) Webmaster A writes an informative article but requires Webmaster B to add link in the footer to give credit
There are many more situations where people are doing business with each other and it is really none of google's business. I mean no disrespect to google. I like google. I met their staff at a cancer fundraiser yesterday in Atlanta. Here's another one...
7) Webmaster A adds a link to his site in exchange for company B setting up a booth at their event

In the end, google does its best to rank sites based on the quality of those sites. Because a site purchased a link or not, does not determine the quality of that site. I think more and more, google is going to need humans to help make certain judgements about the quality of a site. And one really great thing about directories is humans are involved in judging the worthiness of a site.

[giggler]

David, I completely agree with you and I hope google will be smart in their final determination of what they are after.

[solidghost]

Unless you write the big words "We sell links" on your frontpage, I don't think it will be an issue for Google. Just say "We help you advertise your site on the Internet, just like Google". Is there anything wrong with advertising?

[rebel]

it may not be that simple solidghost, matt wrote today..."Just to reiterate, I’d be most interested in reports of sites that appear to be trying to game Google’s rankings via paid links that flow PageRank. I appreciate the many responses that we’ve already gotten; the feedback and data that we get will be helpful as we take another look at this issue."

what i find disturbing is what will be classed as a paid link? if i charge a fee to review a site before adding it to a directory, is that a paid for text link?