Just how important are links to Google?

Half your ranking?

[Monkscuba]

I know links and PR are important (Important enough that people will buy them purely for Google as being discussed in another thread), but I coudn't believe what I got in a link exchange request from another site :

And I quote :

"If your thinking about not linking, you should know that Google the number one search engine values links as half of your ranking. All links add to your rankings and as Google has changed the rules no one should really refuse a link."

His links section is enormous. A huge directory of links. Horrible. I refused a link.

[RonPK]

Check this thread: [webmasterworld.com ]