What do you think of this post? An ordered article or not???

[BeytzNet]

Hi,

Just encountered the following article on Digital Trends: http://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/lg-z-rumored/

This is a huge and respected site. Notice, that whenever the word "smartphone" or "smartphones" is mentioned, there is a link to Sprint. Needless to say that Sprint has nothing to do directly with the article's subject (a new LG smartphone that may be coming soon).

So, is this an ordered piece? Is this legit? Does it assist Sprint with the article that is not really related? Should I pursue these type of articles (links) for my site or only HUGE companies can get away with it?

Any thoughts?

[TomRayner]

You got it in one.

There's no doubt that this is paid link placement and/or an advertorial for Sprint.  Furthermore, they have an Amazon affiliate link in there too (which is now a 404 error - I'd love to meet their editor).

You may be surprised how often big websites sell these links.  In the UK, The Telegraph and Guardian newspapers are pretty notorious for it.

With links like this you're really playing with fire.  Even big companies have been ruffled for links like these in the past, have a look at JC Penny and Interflora (although Interflora had a load of crap links that probably pulled the trigger).

Then again, Google think they can do it without any problems.

It's all part of the many hypocrisies in SEO.  I can't say I'd recommend these links (above all else, there are cheaper ways to get equally as valuable links) - but however you decide to proceed, do so with caution.

[matbennett]

The links to sprint I am seeing are nofollowed.  There is also a tag on them that suggests that they are being automatically inserted by software as part of an advertising program.

If that is correct then it is similar in nature to the way that programs like skimlinks work.  They look for particular terms and place monetised links on them.   If those links are no-followed then that would seem to be totally acceptable under Google guidelines.  What they don't like is selling links that "pass page rank", which the nofollow prevents.

If you wanted to pursue that sort of approach then there are a number of programs and plugins that do this.  Personally I prefer links styled in such a way to be styled differently, so that users can understand which links are paid and which are editorial.