Although I’m not at all comparing paid links to drugs – I find it interesting to analyze Google’s war on paid links in the context of the “War on Drugs” - with one major difference.  By creating such immense value in links – Google is now waging war against something it created.  Anytime something has value – it will have demand.  Much like the war on drugs – Google’s war on paid links is not winnable.   The only way for Google to win their war against paid links is to remove the value (they created) of links in general.  If links had no value (no demand) there would be no market. 

It is amusing to watch the sparring matches across the blogosphere – where SEO’s are supposedly outing those websites selling links.   Rumors of Google penalties (and legitimate penalties) have webmasters running in all directions – some looking for cover while others hammer away at Google’s unfairness. 

Of primary concern to me is the manner in which Google is willing to wage this war.  Unlike those fighting the war on drugs – Google is a business – and she can pretty much do whatever she wants.  It would be unfortunate to see webmasters or websites receive penalties not deserved.  Thinking about the “report paid links” option now available in Google’s webmaster tools – you’ve got to wonder exactly how they go about verifying those reports. You can only hope Google would not penalize a webmaster or website unless she is certain the penalty is deserved.

Regardless, Google’s terms of use are clear – like them or not – no drugs – I mean no paid links allowed.