Buying Links: What’s The Big Deal?
Though I have had this article on my mind for several months now, an article over at Top Rank Blog got me thinking. While this SEO technique is quite controversial, and I totally understand why, I still must ask the question, “What’s the big deal with link buying?”
Let me go ahead an preface this blog posting by letting everyone know that I do not, nor would I ever, recommend buying links to clients. I play by the same game as everyone else when it comes to Google and other search engines. Though I partly disagree with their opinion of buying links, it doesn’t change the fact that I must play by their rules. Google is a private company and they can, and they will, run their business the way they want too (in case you are wondering, I love Google and how they have revolutionized search engines and other products). If you are interested, or unaware, you should totally jump on over to Link Schemes offered by Google. This article will help you understand what Google thinks about buying links or participating in link schemes, hence the name.
This article is panning out totally different than I had planned. At any rate, I am going to list my questions about buying links. For the most part, they correlate with my original question.
What about push marketing?
If done effectively, push marketing can be very productive for a company (just think AOL and all of those free CD’s we all received). While keeping your mind on push marketing, isn’t link buying very similar to push marketing. I am not saying that push marketing is not bothersome, but it is an effective marketing technique that a lot of companies use.
If done excessively, won’t link buying ruin a site or business in the long run?
If someone only cares about SERPS, it is quite apparent in the way they handle daily website operations. Wouldn’t poor link buying just be a huge problem for them in the long run? Everyone knows there is so much more to running an online business than just ranking well. I do understand getting rid of major spammers, but if someone is willing to blatantly purchase links on porn or casino sites won’t this do enough damage on its on? And if they are willing to do that I am sure there are some other black hat techniques being utilized.
If done well, does link buying still fall under bad SEO practices?
There are plenty of instances where an SEO might want to purchase a link in a particular article that is relevant to their own website. Does this still fall under link schemes? If so, why does it? For me, especially since link buying is costly, I would never want to purchase a link on a non-relevant site that might not generate traffic. I guess I am asking if there is such thing as good link buying? It seems plausible to me.
On the other side, does a website owner ever want to offer a link to a completely irrelevant website that is of little value to their readers? If they do practices this behavior, shouldn’t their own stupidity take care of their success, or lack of success?
Why pay for links?
The Top Rank Blog touched on this subject as well. Basically, why would someone buy links when with just a little work and creativity they can generate so many more links across the entire internet? Unless the link totally makes sense to all parties involved, why would they pay for it as it seems wasteful? I have never participated in major link schemes, as I have never been able to work then into ANY business plan, but do you really gain anything more than just limited success?
Please don’t misunderstand my feelings. I just don’t see the big deal with buying links? I know, at times, that limited success is obtained, but it is never seems to be long lived. Keeping capitalism at hand, shouldn’t we just let internet users take care of the spammers? In theory, I know this is not always possible. With that said, I do appreciate what Google has done to rid the internet of spam website. If left alone, I think users who participate in questionable SEO/business practices will make their own mistakes, therefore making the internet a better place.
Just my thoughts on a questionable topic. What does everyone else think about buying links?
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few days I will review my favorite apps or plugins. The reviews will apply to the web industry.
Marc is currently obtaining a Masters Of Arts in Religion. Although not considered well read by a friends wife and a conversation hog by another friends wife, Marc spends hours wasting time on political/news websites, blogging, and reading religious books. Lastly, he quintessentially defines football fanatic. 
