How does Google, Alexa, Compete, etc view paid traffic

I'm looking to buy some traffic, but before I do it, I'd like to know how paid traffic effects a site's standing with Google.

Also, how does paid traffic affect Alexa and Compete rankings?

Thanks

Indexfive said:

I'm looking to buy some traffic, but before I do it, I'd like to know how paid traffic effects a site's standing with Google.

Also, how does paid traffic affect Alexa and Compete rankings?

Thanks

Click to expand...

Indexfive, I will have to research this more, but it seems that Amex is impacted by paid traffic and therefore you could improve your rankings. However, depending on whether alexa values the traffic coming from alexa toolbar participants or not, that seems to be up in the air these days, if you are planning to buy traffic, you might want to look at making sure you buy from sources that have users using a toolbar.

Sources for research:
http://geoffreymoffett.com/traffic-generation/alexa-traffic/
http://www.talkarcades.com/talk-arcades/7253-alexa-paid-vs-organic-traffic.html
http://www.seomoz.org/blog/testing-accuracy-visitor-data-alexa-compete-google-trends-quantcast
http://www.economicaltraffic.com/alexa-main.asp

With all this information provided, I would say that the best way to generate the highest metrics is making sure your site ranks well across all sources, not just one.

Hope this helps!

Shawn

Thanks Shawn. My other concern is that the above mentioned sources may penalize my site for too much paid traffic. Any thoughts on that?