Links are much like referrals in the real world. The more authoritative the people you hang this in turn will be give you more perceived value.
For example, starting out in business you probably did not know very many people. But as you got more clients your area of influence becomes wider. This in turn would allow you to be able to refer people and be referred by people.
On the World Wide Web links work very much the same way. If you get a link ( referral ) from a website such as an .edu or .gov then Google gives you a higher ranking because it considers those site to more authoritative since it is regulated by the school or government. And since everyone knows you can trust schools or governments, thus giving you a great referral.
Do not forget “Bad company corrupts good character.” Therefore if you start linking or hooking up with the people that are shady it will reflect in your rankings.
Also be aware that if you get 250,000 friends over night, then people are going to wonder what made you so popular. Bells start going off and Google starts penalizing.
All in all, just like the story of the ” Tortoise and the Hare” … slow and steady WILL always wins the race.
At Magnetiks, a Houston search engine optimization company, we build our links to ensure that when you do get to the top you get to stay awhile and enjoy because like I said earlier “consistency and perseverance pays off”.