I'm a member business in an organization called Local First Arizona (www.localfirstaz.com), an advocate group for supporting local businesses that apparently has devised a deceitful way to grow their SEO.

I just received their letter for an annual renewal. There is a section entitled "How to Improve your Own Ranking on Google and Others" with the following text:

"Did you know - By linking your web site to us, you improve Your Ranking? So when someone searches Google, we and you have a better chance to be listed at the TOP of the page and not the bottom [...]" It goes on to include information on how to setup a link with the proper anchor text or banner image.

Now I'm no SEO expert, but last time I checked Google doesn't give you jack for linking out to other pages. If anything your ranking is diluted. However, their several thousand, technology challenged, small business members will jump at the chance to get all that Google juice on the interwebs.

I really haven't decided if I think this clever or dishonest.