If you know anything about SEO, there's a fascinating Q&A with the Google search quality team over at Digital Inspiration. Here's some analysis of what they had to say, which includes:
- If you don't nofollow affiliate links, your search engine rankings will suffer.
- Links in copy ARE worth more than other ones.
- Fresh content isn't a ranking factor.
- Rel=canonical is suggested for cross-domain redirects - 301 isn't mentioned.
- Google doesn't seem to like guest blogging.
- Linking out both benefits you and doesn't benefit you at the same time. (Hey, don't shoot the messenger).
There's a wealth of both advice and misinformation about SEO on the web. It's very hard to sift nuggets of good practice from all the rumours, guesses and superstitions out there. Plus Google changes the rules on a regular basis.
That's why the best source of SEO information is Google themselves. Sure, they pick and choose what they reveal to encourage certain types of behaviour, but you know that if you follow their advice you can't go to far wrong.
This interview and analysis is a case in point - lots of good practice advice so you know your approach is the correct one.