Yep, same as Rob, I read your post initially exactly how you intended it - and very much respected your position. Then when you clarified, I re-read and totally could see how someone could get the wrong impression. Trippy perception bias or something.
I'm no SEO expert by any means, but I think zanzibar has it right (although Rob then says he's heard Google changed the algorithm). But under the 'stable' (?) algorithm of recent times, every SEO guy (that seemed to really know their stuff and had impressive SERPs) I've spoken to over the last year or so would agree with zanibar's summary. I'd actually be very interested to see what the results would be - my gut feeling is that CM.com would benefit greatly from the removal of the thousands (?) of outgoing links.
Unlike zanzibar, I do actually kinda sympathise with KasinoKing and Robwin and guys who have 6000 posts and really have been valuable members for a long time - I guess if some kind of compromise could be found for them (which I think chuchu59 refers to), they definitely 'deserve' it (assuming, as I do, that they are definitely the "good" type of affiliates who aren't all about the $ but willing to speak out against or cut ties with a casino if the situation calls for it).
I just hope we could get to a point where everyone feels safe saying "Hey Xxxxx, please comment on this thread - you're a Yyyyy affiliate and opinionated, surely you have something to say about Yyyyy's actions here?" - without it being seen as a troll or an attack on that person - something I'm not yet comfortable with doing just yet, but excited that maybe, just *maybe*, we're heading in that direction?
But I would hope that if Xxxxx consistently avoided commenting in negative threads about casinos they promote, they could be called out publicly for it - perhaps not in a "You're an unethical affiliate!" type of tone, but more a "Come on mate, you really have to step in here and give your opinions - I know it's a tough spot for you, but it's important you at least state a position, please don't sit on the fence here!" - or something? I dunno...just kinda thinking out loud / spit-balling....
Great post JHV...
I'm sure zanzibar is correct though about the link juice and all, hell...I could write a book about what I don't know about SEO ...LOL
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