pageoneresults - 5:36 pm on Jun 24, 2011 (gmt 0)

In fact, I'd suggest that the way the OP described link building is in fact one of the most common link building methodologies in use by ranking websites today.

I don't believe that statement, nope, not me. And, if that is the case, then the Internet is totally screwed up.

There is nothing natural about the techniques outlined. Sure, there are exceptions, but in this case we're talking automated artificial link inflation techniques. 50 of this, 50 of that, 50 of the other, I just don't see that bearing any tangible long term benefits. Once you get into this mode, you have effectively distorted the site's link profile and who knows what else.

I've seen these types of programs at work for local businesses. True story, I had one local prospect come to me asking why none of their pages were showing up for 3, 4 and even 5 word search terms. Well, they had signed up for a couple of these programs which included reciprocal signals and they got whacked. You can view the link profile for the site and see that it was naturally accruing links and then wham! a spike in activity. Within 30 days their traffic dropped just as much as the spike in link growth.

From my perspective, there just aren't 50 of this and 50 of that out there. Anything in that type of volume where the above activity is allowed just isn't going to be worth much. I find it hard to believe that this type of strategy can be maintained in a long term Internet presence. You don't do this to a local Mom and Pop who relies on the Internet for 25% of their business. You surely don't do this for anything that represents a significant part of your income or, someone else's.

Use at your own risk. Just add all those numbers up and think -567 filter.

Off topic but ... is there a site where like-minded webmasters can come together to trade good content and help each other out?

There's only one - you're at it. :)