This is just another crappy fearful post inspired by Google to scare the shit out of people. It is just like RELIGION, which is filled with contradictions. Just do I say, but not as I do. After many years, I have reached the conclusion that Google is not to be trusted or relied upon based on all the ranking information they put out.
Just look at the SERP results for any major keyword and most of the sites on page one are breaking so-called Google backlink guidelines. Based on Google guidelines any type of link is a violation.
Do what you must to rank your site, but use common sense while implementing your strategy. Also, keep in mind that NEGATIVE SEO is alive and well. Google could care less who built the backlinks just who's going to be held responsible. The so-called DISAVOW TOOL is just like sinning and asking for forgiveness so that you can go and commit more sins.
Having said all that, here are some common sense rules to abide by:
1 - Buying publicly sold PBN links will impact your site negatively in the long run. Believe it or not, I am convinced Google has spies everywhere including this forum. Publicly sold PBN's are poorly made, leave major footprints regardless of what the seller might tell you. They eventually contain too many outbound links and most of the sellers know it is just a question of time before the sites are rendered worthless.
2 - Nowadays, people are selling PBN links as guest posting. Guest posting is now the rage, but most are just PBN's in disguise.
3 - Most of the PBN's I come across have short and crappy content. If you build your own PBN invest in lengthy content with proper grammar and tone. Content spinning would not do the trick. You must make the sites look genuine.
In conclusion, Pbn's do work provided you build your own and keep them private. Once you have a good network of sites set up, learn to keep your mouth shut as loose lips can sink your IM empire. Learn to keep your network of sites a secret from all you know including relatives, boyfriends, and girlfriends. Jealousy from people you know should not be ignored. Unfortunately, most often, you do not know who hates your success.