D_Blackwell - 2:42 am on Jun 27, 2008 (gmt 0)

by spending a lot of time writing great content.

If one is working with established 'authority' sites, that is a lot easier to say. If looking to gain Google 'favored status', I still think that you've got to get links working for you. Content is King. Good incoming inks are Queen.

I've got sites that I can put up a page on anything, and it will rank well - and fast.

I've also got sites with great content that don't yet have that status. I can't magically make a one year old quick developing site get the respect of an eight year old site that has been added to monthly for years. Good links are great shortcuts to help bridge the gap. Content comes first, but, IMO, is not enough for most people in most situations.