Google has demonstrated it's exceptional logic with what they're doing with purchased links IMO. By getting the word out that "certain sites" may not pass pr and that there is no indication of the fact in the site itself, other than it's known to Google as a link seller. The selling site doesn't drop in the rankings or lose PR... you kinda just have to take your chances.

The only way to really know is to test it... and that's just absolutely nuts when you consider that pr updates have been quarterly until lately. You'd have to wait three months to see if anything was going on with pr and it would have to be a virgin site... no links pointed there whatsoever.

As an illustration, one of our members (Smindsrt) has a very prominant directory (Site-Sift) and when talking with Joc we decided to test it. The link was posted about a month ago to a virgin site and it now has a pr4 from the one link in the directory.

It proves two things to me...
1. Site Sift gives good pr (smiley here)
2. Google's got it, many seo's are changing their habits voluntarily or out of fear. The Google Guy on WMW and Cutt's blog are pure ginius IMO.

Reply here and I'll pm the url of the virgin site if you're interested. I just don't want anyone linking to it.

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OverSite - A unique web directory for quality sites ONLY.

Very Good Point... I aggree.

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They have clearly blocked some of the largest pages selling links...a lot of people are being burned...at least we should be able to buy links for what the traffic is worth again...it will be awhile though...

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Well, seeing backlinks from site-sift was a good indication that it was being noted and counted... but as far as the link: command goes, most know what I think of it. The PR test was an other way to see if the directory had any kickdown of somekind. Maybe because the directory is not selling sitewides helps...

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How do you think Google is identifying sites as potential "link sellers" who should be using the nofollow attribute?

Are they using an algorhithm to identify sites and applying a devaluation of links from those sites automatically? Or do you think that they identify potential sites with an algo and then manually have a human check out the sites to confirm/deny?

If it's the former has anyone run any tests to determine how the algo discovers link sellers and brokers?

That's the issue isn't it? Without knowing who's getting tagged or how extensive it is, it's rather a shot in the dark. There's really know way to know for sure without testing it individually.

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OverSite - A unique web directory for quality sites ONLY.

Whats the difference between selling links !!! and and charging for banners on your site..????

Not literally but actually the two are the same !!!!
Gain money for site exposure , Im sure msn, Yahoo and Google Do this?

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Nick
Mortgage Leads at Sterling Knight

They identify sites selling links for PR only manually. I am nearly positive on this. PM me if you want to see why.

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Buy Snow Blowers cheap in the off-season! Now spring is here, so it's time to buy a Lawn Mower !

I'll bite (my best impersonation of SEO AM), PM sent.

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OverSite - A unique web directory for quality sites ONLY.

Im in... Thx

__________________
Please do not take my word for fact, its only my opinions and you really need to research more before you make major changes.
Peace of mind for your online marketing.

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