Will Google ban a site for offering to pay for links?

[Sacramentozone]

I put a notice on my site offering to pay $5.00 for a mention in a blog or a link on other people's websites. I've had a good response but after reading some of the posts in this forum, I'm wondering if that will get me in trouble somehow?
SacramentoZone.com

[cbp]

Why are you offering to pay for them?

1. If its because you want to advertise your site on relevenat sites, or you think visitors to the site that you are buying the link from would be interested in your site (ie they are on the same topic) --> no problem

2. If you are buying them for PR and to rank higher --> deserve to be banned.

...as to if Google do this, I would be surprised.

CBP

[hugoguzman]

I would recommend that you explicitly state that you are looking for advertising space on relevant sites (it's up to if you want to state "text link").

Try it out and let me know how it goes. I have a forum that deals with text link/PR related issues.

[fathom]

Originally Posted by Sacramentozone

I put a notice on my site offering to pay $5.00 for a mention in a blog or a link on other people's websites. I've had a good response but after reading some of the posts in this forum, I'm wondering if that will get me in trouble somehow?
SacramentoZone.com

NO None, no problem what-so-ever.

To clarify: a link to you "can't harm you" and since you are not "exchanging links" the only thing you need to concern yourself with is people taking advantage of you paying for nothing e.g. JavaScript links, noindex page links, robots.txt exclusions, etc.

People often do the same thing with "article writing" and an hour of my time is worth far more than $5.00 so you are likely saving money -- if your time is at a premium.

[fathom]

Originally Posted by cbp

If you are buying them for PR and to rank higher --> deserve to be banned.

CBP

Unfortuately, "motive" is not a black or white factor.

Would you say the same thing if a link exchange?

Would you say the same thing if this was an article added at the linking website?

Would you say the same thing if he offers a "free gift"?

We know that PR & rank increases occurs from all links (most links) and as not all "on-topic" & relevant sites are guaranteed to induce any traffic thus are all mutual exchanges (mutual being what each party believes is of more value) "deserved to be banned"?

"A link" (or two) isn't manipulation at any cost.