User Comments

1. 

   8/22/07

   Norski

   I'm biased. I use 'organic SEO' and follow a promotion philosophy of making my sites and blogs as easy for search robots to find as possible, and providing content that will encourage return visitors - and referrals.
   
   I'm also planning on limited traditional advertising later this month.
   
   About paid links:
   
   I an dubious about claims that Big Oil, Big Tobacco, Big Movies, Big Oranges, or whatever, are out to get us. For that reason, I don't take the FUD (Fear, Uncertainty, Doubt) concern too seriously. Although I appreciate the tribute to Elmer, that cultural icon from Loony Tunes.
   
   Even if it were in my budget, I probably would not use paid links. Not unless I could demonstrate that there was great value to be gained, and negligible risk, from using them.
   
   This is a policy based on my own preferences. I regard paid links as links which are there because someone paid to have them in place - not because the blog or site's author(s) thought the links were worthwhile.
   
   I recognize that whoever paid for the link wants visitors.
   That does not, however, give me a reason for following the link.
   
   I see paid links as similar to paid reviews, or reviews in an 'unbiased' magazine which is published by a software publisher or other interested party. After a while, it becomes clear that XYZ's software, servers, mousepads, or whatever, are very superior to all others - according to reviewers paid by XYZ.
   
   So, for me, paid links are a waste of money: but that's because I don't want to develop a reputation for having sites that won't be noticed unless I pay someone to do so.

   [reply]
   1. 

      8/22/07

      bnsullivan

      I think I'm in your camp, Brian.
2. 

   8/22/07

   netbobz

   I guess, Google doesn't like paid links! I read an article somewhere, and it said that Google banned an adsense account of a famous blogger just for this.

   [reply]
   1. 

      8/22/07

      Norski

      Beware the FUD!
      
      Sorry: but "I read an article somewhere" is a bit vague, as is "a famous blogger."
      
      On the other hand, it doesn't hurt to check.
      
      AdSense Program policies ( www.google.com/adsense/support/bin/answer.py?answer=48182&ctx=en:search&que... ) say,
      
      "Invalid Clicks and Impressions
      
      Clicks on Google ads must result from genuine user interest. Any method that artificially generates clicks or impressions on your Google ads is strictly prohibited. These prohibited methods include but are not limited to repeated manual clicks or impressions, using robots, automated click and impression generating tools, third-party services that generate clicks or impressions such as paid-to-click, paid-to-surf, autosurf, and click-exchange programs, or any deceptive software. Please note that clicking on your own ads for any reason is prohibited. Failure to comply with this policy may lead to your account being disabled."
      
      Looks like paid links might be prohibited.
3. 

   3/12/08

   Profitimo

   Yes..Paid Links are Bad for your site. Major Search engines' punishes who ever uses paid links in their site!

   [reply]