Some notes and questions about hunting links

and some potential risks

[Powdork]

Out hunting for links tonight, paid links. First I noticed that the search I would normally use to find these (the most generic top level term for my area) brought back sites I wouldn't care to sign up with. They just didn't look like they had the polish I would want to pay for. The sites I remembered being there were gone. But that's another story.
My question is about a group of sites from which I can get reasonably priced text ads with a good amount of relevant traffic. The problem is my site is about location weddings and their sites are about bachelorette parties and they have links to various toys, games and , er.. helpers, etc. I am concerned about whether these links will flag my site somehow as being sexually oriented or explicit. Anyone have any experiences they would like to share (not bachelorette party stories, you can sticky those;)). I'm mostly referring to Google but feel free to mention any other potential pitfalls.
Thanks

[ThomasB]

I still can't see problems with offtopic links, but that might change in the future. But you should never get punished for it, so I'd go for it.

[Powdork]

it's not so much the off topic thing, bachelorette parties and weddings go hand in hand. I'm worried someone searching with safesearch on won't find me because I link to a site that links to sites that could be considered sexually explicit.

[takagi]

Out hunting for links tonight, paid links. ... I'm worried someone searching with safesearch on won't find me because I link to a site that links to sites that could be considered sexually explicit.

You link back to paid links?

[coosblues]

You link back to paid links?

Linking back to a "paid link" surely doesn't sound like much for one's investment.

I find fault in paying for any link. I never have, nor never will buy a link. I can't imagine Google would think to kindly of sites selling links - either on or off-topic.

If I can't find a link using old fashioned one way or reciprocal links then I guess my links just won't grow.

I'd love to see Google crack down on sites selling links - it dilutes the entire PR process and degregates the entire system.

Does that mean if I have the money to buy links it makes my site better?

My backlinks may not be what many of your's are, but I earned them honestly through good ole fashioned email.

Powdork - I've long respected most of your posts and no disrespect is intented.

{edit) Spelling

[PatrickDeese]

> I never have, nor never will buy a link

So you aren't in Y! Directory?

[oodlum]

I can't imagine Google would think to kindly of sites selling links - either on or off-topic.

I'd love to see Google crack down on sites selling links - it dilutes the entire PR process and degregates the entire system.

That is a flaw inherent in the PR system. Sites have every right to sell advertising. And sites have every right to buy it.

It was happening long before Google came along.

-----------------------------
It would be interesting to see Google "crack down" on Yahoo

[coosblues]

Selling advertising and buying PR are two complete different sets of topics. I see no problem with paying for advertising.

And Yes, I am in the Yahoo directory and I didn't pay for that one. They DID accept free submissions.

[edit) wording

[oodlum]

Links are advertising. Powdork asked about "reasonably priced text ads with a good amount of relevant traffic".

[Powdork]

I'd love to see Google crack down on sites selling links - it dilutes the entire PR process and degregates the entire system.

You're assuming when I pay for a link it's because I want it to help me with Google (PR). Not so. The idea is to make it so I am independent of Google, not more reliant. I would pay for the link for the traffic (bachelorette parties=weddings) because the traffic will make me more than I am paying for it. If Google doesn't like that, it's fine and I would have no problem if it didn't pass pr. The chances are it will be a banner type thing that won't get indexed now anyway.

You link back to paid links?

If I were to pay for a membership with the better business bureau (and the link), you can bet that i will still put their logo and link right there on my home page. However, in the case at hand it is due to an affiliate type link I currently have leaving my location bachelorette party page towards a bachelorette party site. Again, Google hasn't crawled this link but they are getting better at that stuff all the time.
My concern is that the bride to be with a small child who has safe search on won't find my site because I have a partnership with a site that has partnerships with a lingerie (or newfoundland city) affiliate.

[coosblues]

When I'm wrong I'm wrong :)

Sorry for the misinterpretation

[Powdork]

its coo