Google link spam: what the policy actually says

Examples Google lists

• Buying or selling links for ranking purposes.
• Excessive link exchanges.
• Using automated programs or services to create links.
• Low-quality directory or bookmark links.
• Optimized links distributed through articles, guest posts or press releases.
• Paid advertorial/native placements that pass ranking credit.

What this means for affiliate SEOs

The fact that a tactic is common does not make it outside the policy. Evaluate link-acquisition methods by intent and implementation, not by how many other sites use them.

Automation-specific implication

Automated builders are directly relevant because Google names automated link creation in the policy examples. That does not mean every automated URL triggers a manual action; it means the tactic sits inside a category Google reserves the right to ignore or penalize.

Read the source, not a paraphrase

Google updates documentation over time. For decisions that matter, use the current policy page as the authoritative reference.