Is it against Google policy if I put HTML coded links back to the directory sites I use to help advertise my site? For example, I'm using blogcatalog as one of my directories but they require a back link to their site. Is that legal from Google's standpoint? I read Google's TOS but I'm not sure how this all fits together. Thanks. MO
You should be able to link to directories, blogs, or whatever else you think is a good or useful site for yourself or your readers. If you were thinking about Google's Adsense terms of service, then you don't have to worry unless you run competing context sensitive paid advertising. This would mean you can link to anything you like, whether paid or not, directly or via a service, such as Adbrite, for example. I hope that answers what you were asking?