backdraft7 - 5:01 pm on Oct 3, 2012 (gmt 0)

And FYI - good rankings, good sales, good conversions = all perfectly achievable without "bending the rules".

Exactly...and have a product, content or brand that you own.
Don't try hanging someone elses good content on your site and expect success.
Google will sniff it out eventually and either you'll rank or you'll tank.

The gyrations we are currently seeing should be considered "normal" now, the new everflux.
I think Google's finally getting a hand on keeping us all thoroughly confused, which appears to be the goal.
Adapt or die. I'm finding that it is doable.

[edited by: backdraft7 at 5:09 pm (utc) on Oct 3, 2012]