TheMadScientist - 5:23 pm on Dec 30, 2012 (gmt 0)

Okay, I see what you're saying better now. Thanks for clarifying ... It's like the difference between a footer link and contextual link, and maybe contextual links placed in areas of the page/context determined to be more likely to generate a click could be awarded more weight than a 'regular' contextual link.

So, going a bit further and more along the lines of link building, which is the topic of this thread, let's pretend (for argument's sake) I'm in a niche and have successfully built links for years, but now I'm running out of places to acquire new links from.

Do you think the links already built will 'carry enough weight' to keep rankings intact or do you think the declining growth rate, likely flat to negative churn rate, lack of 'freshness' passed, etc. will be a negative, which would seem to indicate I should have let the links 'happen naturally' rather than building them, because natural is sustainable and should likely continue at a stable rate, while 'forcing the issue' means if the building stops the site tanks?

IOW: If an unsustainable growth rate is set and it's to the point where growth stops, does the site have a chance considering the other factors involved and relating to links?