What is Paid Link?
A paid link is a hyperlink acquired through direct payment or compensation, which violates Google’s spam policies when it passes PageRank without proper disclosure through rel=”nofollow” or rel=”sponsored” attributes.
Ecommerce SEO Glossary > AI / LLM SEO > Paid Link
What You Need to Know about Paid Link
PageRank Manipulation Risk
Paid links without proper attributes pass PageRank artificially, which Google considers a manipulation tactic that can trigger manual penalties or algorithmic demotions.
Required Link Attributes
Google requires paid links to use rel=”sponsored” or rel=”nofollow” attributes to prevent PageRank flow and maintain compliance with webmaster guidelines.
Manual Action Consequences
Sites buying or selling links that pass PageRank risk manual actions that can severely impact search rankings and require reconsideration requests to resolve.
Transparency Standards
Search engines value transparency in link relationships. Proper disclosure protects both the linking site and the recipient from penalties while maintaining trust signals.
AI Detection Capabilities
Modern search algorithms can identify paid link patterns through behavioral signals, anchor text distributions, and site relationship analysis without relying solely on manual review.
Natural Link Building Alternative
Building authority through quality content, strategic partnerships, and genuine relationships produces sustainable rankings without the compliance risks associated with paid link schemes.
Frequently Asked Questions about Paid Link
1. What makes a paid link violate Google’s guidelines?
A paid link violates guidelines when it passes PageRank without proper rel=”sponsored” or rel=”nofollow” attributes, artificially manipulating search rankings through purchased authority.
2. Can I buy links if I use nofollow attributes?
Yes, purchasing links with proper rel=”sponsored” or rel=”nofollow” attributes complies with Google’s policies because these attributes prevent PageRank flow and ranking manipulation.
3. How does Google detect paid links?
Google identifies paid links through algorithmic pattern analysis, manual review, link graph anomalies, and behavioral signals that distinguish natural editorial links from commercial arrangements.
4. Are sponsored content links considered paid links?
Yes, sponsored content links are paid links that require rel=”sponsored” attributes to disclose the commercial relationship and prevent PageRank manipulation, ensuring compliance with search engine guidelines.
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