peter said
"making paid (pr passing) link ads a lot less interesting to sell.'
I think I am the only contributor to this thread that actively sells links, or has openly said so. I am also one who has recently lost tool bar ranking
(I have not accepted a connection between the two)
From where I sit there has been a distinct upsurge in buying links. More value has been added to the market price for lower value
pr, and topic specific
PR.
One problem with 'reading the scene' is that many many forums publish webmaster views and opinions. Many of these posts are simply what the webmaster felts like saying today. or comments on what other people have done said, thought. Or just the latest bandwagon..
We are lucky in this forum. we do have several Honest webmaster that write original words, based on personal experience.
If you do not sell links, and presume that those that do, simply sell high value for big dollars, you could be a long long way from reality and that your opinion is totally formed from the "whats been said". An nothing to do with the reality of sold links.
WPW, has thousands of members. . . How come I can only find me that says...
"yes I sell links'
A few outspoken prominent
SEO members are not the majority . . Each of our voices is just one person. How many lurkers are there, that have been scared into 'SHHHHHHHH mode'.
"Fear as a tactic for reform, is unethical'
"Punished" - who chose that word? the choice of the word in itself hints towards attitude of disdain .