Profile Links...Are They Worth It?

High DA profile links for local SEO. Is this a high impact method of backlinking? How does it compare to guest posting?

It will help in indexing your website and putting it on the map. But it doesn't stop there. You must continue to build backlinks. I am more of a white hat type of guy. I feel that if you are going for long term success, you should build organic backlinks. Guest blogging is building organic backlinks. Because you are actually providing value to your niche. That in it's self will drive traffic to your website. A profile backlink is not going to drive anyone to your website.

So although it will help, long-term it might not.

Given how fast Google is evolving I don't think profile links yield a high enough Return on Effort

They have almost no effect on SERP in the long run. I did lot of it and while they were indexed, didn't affect any results.

Guest posting is the creme de le crème of links. Use profiles only for diversification, not for ranking.

That type of links will help as long as you combine it with links of other types. Diversity is very important when you build links.