If you discount a subscription when the client links to you, does that classify as a paid link?

[JonathanSmith]

For example, we all subscribe to MOZ, but if we received a 25% discount on our subscription if we linked back, would that be considered by Google as a paid link, or would it be seen as a sales tool / promotion?

[evolvingSEO]

Hi Jonathan

Although Google's guidelines don't explicitly mention "discounts" I do feel this would be considered a paid or manipulated link as the company is offering a monetary benefit in exchange for a link.

Google's Guidelines state that any link that is paid must be disclosed in a machine readable format and nofollowed

-Dan

[DennisSeymour]

Technically, it is a paid link, but how would they know it is? Not really something you need to worry about as long as the "link" is done differently, so they dont leave obvious footprints.

Pretty sure lots of people will disagree with this, but it's the truth.

[FedeEinhorn]

Basically yes. Any form of payment received in return of a back link is considered a paid link and will be penalized.