Paid Links vs. Free Directory Links

[bethabernathy]

Hi There - I use a service to get directory links. The directory links are topically related and the links are free, while the service is not (but they do only charge a nominal fee for the links). The links go into place slowly. This service has an option to get paid links, which may be of better value i.e. higher page rank, etc. I was wondering, I had read that Google doesn't like paid links. Is this true? I just want to get the best links possible. Thanks so much. -Beth

[AussieWebmaster]

links of any kind need relevance - where ever they come from relevance is the key - obvious bought links from non relevant sites are useless

[bethabernathy]

Hi There - Thanks!! I am wondering if paid links on topically related directory websites are o.k. If the free links on the topically related websites are better, just let me know. Thanks so much. -Beth

[AussieWebmaster]

heads up I would look at number of outbound links and PR as an indicator if they are even up...

[Puneet Thakkar]

Originally Posted by AussieWebmaster

heads up I would look at number of outbound links and PR as an indicator if they are even up...

and one more thing i would like to add is the links should be on relevant theme (topic) page .... having links on related sites help a lot on rankings and u can surely notice a boost in ur rankings.

[baranbuffet]

I am confused about paid links ....is paid links are really beneficial for us ....if someone know exactly then plz let me know...

[AussieWebmaster]

paid links are like any other but you can choose the site and the relevancy to your own site... Google is against but until they see them as paid or even if and are relevant they pass juice that is from a relevant site

[beu]

Originally Posted by baranbuffet

I am confused about paid links ....is paid links are really beneficial for us ....if someone know exactly then plz let me know...

Like Aussie said, paid links passing PageRank is where you run into problems... It's fine to buy links for advertising as long as no PageRank is being passed. To prevent PageRank from passing, the nofollow tag should be used within the link's code.

[cryptblade]

Originally Posted by baranbuffet

I am confused about paid links ....is paid links are really beneficial for us ....if someone know exactly then plz let me know...

If you are concerned about paid links as per Matt Cutts, here are the links to what he's written about the topic on his blog:

The best links are not paid

And his follow up post:

Our guidelines to get PageRank via buying links

Straight from the horse's mouth (I think that's the expression...).

This should be the answer you're looking for. If not, then you might be getting things confused - and hopefully Matt Cutts and unconfuse you.