Downside of too many inbound one-way links?

buying link packages

[DXL]

I have a few clients with new sites that would like the benefit of inbound links, but don't have the budget for a real link building campaign (reciprocal or otherwise).

I've seen a number of people peddling packages offering a few hundred to a few thousand one-way links from related sites, with the packages reasonably priced. I recognize that the links may not have considerable value, but since these are one-way links that my client will never reciprocate, is there any harm in going this route?

[jakegotmail]

its not going to look natural so i would def DEF stear away from those kinds of deals.

[cnvi]

when it comes to link development, you get what you pay for. Quality links obtained via paid or reciprocal should be obtained one at a time in natural volume.. that means you obtain one link today, five the next day, none the next few days, 3 the next day and so on..

If you use a service that guarantees high volume links without maintaining editorial discretion on making those links, you are basically committing search engine suicide IMO. Be careful.

Obtaining quality links is a long term process that cannot be sped up unless you find a cure for cancer or similar newsmaking event. Don't do anything that gives the se's a reason to penalize you.

[DXL]

If you use a service that guarantees high volume links without maintaining editorial discretion on making those links, you are basically committing search engine suicide IMO. Be careful.

I'm talking about one-way links, though, and I was under the impression that you don't get penalized unless you return links. Otherwise, what's to stop me from purchasing a package for 5,000 one-way links and having them all point to a competitor's website?

[cnvi]

what's to stop me from purchasing a package for 5,000 one-way links and having them all point to a competitor's website?

nothing can stop that activity .. SE engineers have publically stated that its very difficult to harm a competitor site as you suggested above.

My point is that anything you do in high volume is going to bring about more scrutiny from SE ranking programs. If you are looking for points towards improving rankings, folks here will tell you the best time tested method is to obtain quality links related to your own site slow and steady over long term. Short term bumps aren't effective like they were four years ago.

[jakegotmail]

you might not per se hurt your rankings with this strategy but if the search engines see you doing something unnatural it might be hard to gain position in the SERPS in the long run.

its all about balance and looking natural now a days.