Link Blog

Much has been written about Google's attempts to wipe out paid links by getting users to report anyone they suspect of - gasp! - buying links. In our opinion no one is more on top of the situation than Michael Gray in his Wolf Howl blog.

During the recent SES Conference in San Jose, CA, Gray conducted a session on the paid link controversy. Unfortunately, many of us were unable to attend. However, so many people have asked about his presentation that he included a link to the PowerPoint he used.

We have gleaned the gist of his presentation and present it here for you.

• Google developed an algorithm based on links.
• They expect you to change your business model and implementations to compensate for flaws in their algorithm.
• Google made 1.12 billion dollar profit 2nd Quarter 2007.
• Google expects you to sacrifice income and profitability to compensate for their flaws.
• They expect you to do it for free!

The Trail of Lies for No-Follow

• No follow was developed to combat blog spam.
• 3 Months after no-follow was widely adopted Google changed the rules.
• Google took advantage of the entire web publishing world for their own goals.

Why is Google Opposed to Paid Links?

• Paid Links Work.
• It’s nearly impossible to rank in any competitive SERP without paid links ... Unless you are Wikipedia.
• Google runs a competitive advertising product.
• By eliminating competition Google insures the profitability of their product.

Creating Fear Uncertainty and Doubt

• Google tries to convince you that by buying or selling paid links, you are breaking the law or being unethical.
• Google creates fear of losing your rankings and traffic by being removed from their index, if you don’t follow their guidelines.

Google Has Overstepped it’s Boundaries

• According to Google their mission is to "organize the world’s information."
• Google’s mission is not to tell you how to build and implement your website.
• Google’s mission is not to tell you how to buy or sell advertising.
• Google’s mission is not to tell you how to run your business.

It seems to us, and to many others, that Google's only motive in trying to do away with paid links has to do with their own corporate interests and is not an attempt to make the web a better place.

Don't fall for their lies.