Recently a popular strategy has been used by a number of websites to offer a free gifts if the bloggers would review and give links to a product! Sounds strange but the grapevine is that these tactics are considered acceptable by Google now! But after looking at the given example below, I don't think that the grapevine is true at all.
One such website that is openly involved in these kinds of tactics and behavior is SumoLounge.com. It has managed to generate hundreds of backlinks by using this tactic, and that too with great success. But the fact is that Google is planning to strip the website from their PageRank! This is a kind of caution for all those, who are planning to offer a similar incentive to gain links from bloggers.
Till last year, Google was snapping down on paid links, but this year it seems that they may take a quick stance against blog reviews made in exchange for free gifts!
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Navneet Kaushal, CEO PageTraffic is a trusted authority in the search engine marketing industry. He is a featured author at Web Pro News, Search Newz, Website Notes, DevWebPro, SEO Article and Web Help Now among many others.
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{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
not only the blogs in the recent webmaster chat Matt cutts was suggesting that they r looking to discount the directory links. So even directory owners need to be aware that they cant sell any more links in the near future.
http://www.omgenius.com/google-and-hitler/
I think the big G is going too far with this one. Of course the whole point of offering gifts for links is to manipulate the PR system, but giving away products for reviews is a common marketing strategy. I understand they need to protect their SERPs with legit editorial links, but I think this is a step into the gray area.