And yes, the link graph is broken because those with deep pockets have found ways to create links with faux trust and authority. They have the resources to create a process and network that can manufacture links. Content farms aren’t dangerous because of the content per se, but because they are attached to link factories. Without the links, the content would have to compete on a level playing field, where they’d probably lose.

Absolutely spot on and I don’t see how it changes, unless different players enter the space (such as social media, mobile marketing, etc.).

But as long as there is money at stake for search terms – and Google is the primary portal for accessing those businesses, products, etc. the players with the deepest pockets will end up winning. Which is partially what I think you are alluding to when you say the link graph is broken.

Sure we may be more motivated to write quality content – your post is an example of that – but most folks who have gone that far down the seo rabbit hole knows why they are trying to write quality content and are likely already optimizing the other elements of the web page.

I’m not sure that the methods are getting harder to game or not. I think the clear knowledge of signal weights may be making the playing field uneven. The link graph is broken and I don’t think Google has figured out a good way to fix it or find an alternate way to determine real trust and authority. They’re clearly concerned about finding a proxy for user experience so they don’t have to rely so heavily on links which are simply not generated the same way they were when Google wasn’t observing and measuring them so closely.