The partial update to visible PageRank that went out a few days ago was primarily regarding PageRank selling and the forward links of sites. So paid links that pass PageRank would affect our opinion of a site. Going forward, I expect that Google will be looking at additional sites that appear to be buying or selling PageRank. read more here http://www.webpronews.com/insiderreports/2007/10/29/yes-google-admits-torching-your-pagerank
Very interesting. If this is true Google missed the target in too many cases. I hope they will learn and fix it.
It is for sure that Google will continue on its crusade against paid links... the directory uprooting has yet to finish. How fundamental this attack will be awaits to be seen. It seems directory owners have had a fresh boost of confidence after the recent PageRank update, as if nothing in recent months has happened.
You think google is really concerned about people selling pagerank " themselves " since they themselves can't even run a profitable internet business, this whole subject is sort of out to lunch.