Quote:
Originally Posted by mjtaylor
In reading this very long thread on the ethics or wisdom of selling links, I have examined my own opinion at some length. I do see that there are some ethics issues - bruceclay's earlier post about informing clients is a powerful point, and there are others ... but I have shifted my perspective on paid links vs. Adwords.
I have always been quick to point out that Adwords is not a related issue because when Google sells an ad, there is no PR being passed. However, (and I feel a little chagrined that I never saw it this way before), since one *can* pay Google for a listing that comes alongside or even above top ten organic listings, I can see now why it can seem a little unfair that they object to link buying that does the same thing in alongside the ads. Of course, there is a difference ... because we know that ads are bought and there is a presumption that the organic listings are based on the quality of content ... but I did want to say that I understand the frustration some feel about this.
And as CD pointed out, there are many users who do not really understand that the listings above the organic listings are paid. Yes, it says 'sponsored' but there are lots of people who don't know that. I talk to them all the time.
Great discussion, guys ... we really hit a nerve here ... and even got a famous lurker to make his first post in two years as a member! |
You´re forgetting one important factor.
Google is not against link buying and selling. All they are against is paid links that pass
PR. They simply ask that you do a paid link in such a way that it doesn't pass
PR. You can do that by using a nofollow or more advanced by using javascript or something like that.
Somewhere down the line that little fact seems to be forgotten by many. I guess it doesn't fit with their conclusions,.
Selective evidence gathering that is called.
I'm not a big fan of what Google does because in my opinion they should be able to figure out if a link is paid for without the webmaster telling them it was paid for. But that's another discussion.