As we already wrote about the Link Dampening Filter 4 months ago webProWorld has another article up on the evolving theories of the link dampening filter... This is also backed by the Google Patent released last week to public.

Many search engine optimization professionals believe that Google has implemented a dampening filter for new incoming links. The alleged filter is thought to depress the link popularity boost and the Google PageRank transfer of newly added links.

There is really no absolute way to determine whether it exists, one way or the other.

A good relevant theme oriented linking program is the best method to keep any filter to the absolute minimum.

A good linking plan is a great idea at any time; whether a filter on new links exists, or is simply a mirage.

via Google s New Link Filter