Does anyone have an opinion on whether using adwords for content network or basic paid search advertising helps your link counts? I haven't done any linkbuilding for this domain, but after a few weeks of running an adwords campaign i've seen our link count rise and when checking the sites there wasn't any links on the site, but each site did have adwords on them.
yes, when your ads appear on some sites in adsense block which displays your adwords ads, you may see links from sites actually don't having links to your site.
No, never. Paid marketing such as Google Adwords and Bing ads always gives you traffic but never give your website a backlink. To get backlinks for your domain, you have use SEO white hat technique. This will give you backlink. All sites are Google adsense sharing network for ads display so Google always show the link (traffic source) from where your website is getting clicked but never gives you a back link. You are getting confused with both. SEM - Google Adwords, Paid Advertising, Quick Listing, Sponsored Listing. SEO - On-page and f-page optimization of your domain, Slow listing, Free natural and organic listing.
From a logical point of view, it shouldn't. But.... I have often seen cases were links from adwords did count (according to WMT). I guess your ad has to be on that site, when googlebot visits.
I have similar experience. I have 2 pages, exactly the same! They got same advertising (SEM). But one have Adwords campaign up with VERY low click price, and almost no clicks, just impressions. That page have 1:7 more traffic! And domain name is not even close about topic i make ads and SEM! 2 cents..