Will Google Penalize For Purchasing Text Links?

[jshpik1]

I've heard Google will penalize if they find out a high ranking website actively buys and sells links. Is this correct, or just a myth?

[fathom]

Categorically NO!

However, observations of late suggests the "detection" of site wide (or large quantity of links "from same site" to "site same") with identical anchor text links is easy.

As such the pattern can be discounted.

That notably means you quite possibly bought "500 links" but only receiving credit for 1.

"If" using this strategy it would be better to avoid a link on bulk pages, all anchored by the same phrases & all pointing to the same domain page (e.g. default page).

[rlrouse]

Will purchased links be penalized?

No. Not now, not next week, not ever. If Google ever starts penalizing sites for links pointing to them they might as well liquidate their business because they'll sink like a stone.

Will purchased links ever be discounted or ignored altogether?

Maybe.

[projectseo]

Avoid purchasing excessive amounts (site wide) of links from any one domain. Make your purchased links count.

If you mass purchase you WILL get filtered. If you pruchase smart you will be fine.

Greetings all, this is my first time posting here.

projectseo

Winnipeg, MB
Canada

[jawn_tech]

As for if it gets ignored, it may come down to whether they are able to know if the link came from a transaction, or just from the other webmasters interest in your site.

Whatever the case, wise discretion is always key. From the users perspective, which it should always be about, the question would be, is the link justified whether it was purchased, reciprocated, or just listed (ie, a directory). If the page's topic is only about selling links, it may send a red flag.