What is Google's thinking about links from article marketing, widgets, etc?

Here I think all the seo can get an idea about is "Article Marketing" effective or not. Please share your understanding after watching this video. I hope it will be helpful for the people who involve in SEO industry.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=chuhSmwsL7s&feature=relmfu

 

I think article marketing is still effective. but not valuable like before. Previously they were very much effective but now they are just another mean of link building.

 

For now, I'd rather create my own private network than sending my articles to article directory sites. Their days are over and I don't think they're as effective as they were.