Web Software (WP Plugin) with backlink

I've been mulling this question for a while.

I run a website, which provides Wordpress plugins amongst other stuff. For years I have given away software for free, with the price being an optional backlink to the site.

This has proven a successful strategy for a quite a long time, the site has quite good rankings on MOZ, Ahrefs etc. However I'm recently starting to become wary of the strategy ... because of course although I get a relatively good volume of backlinks - the sites are not always related, and sometimes may be spammy.

Your opinions - in today's (whitehat) SEO is this a good or a bad idea?

Your opinions please would be really helpful.

Thanks

If I understand it - You have a lot of "sitewide" backlinks? If yes, this is not good but also not bad idea, this is depend of many factors.
Look:

arrastheme.com

Click to expand...

- They have a lot of "sitewide" backlinks.
Their website have good DA/PA etc. It's little risk, but is up to you.

I'd say just keep doing what you're doing. The default WP themes all have a backlink to wordpress.org in the footer.

Excellent feedback - thanks guys good to know. Yes, I do agree, since this is fairly common practice I thought it would be mostly ok.

Cheers!

I like the idea, i love to see people offer free services like myself. Its rough in the interner word. You just have to stick out like a sore thumb!

I think this is a good idea many people and services use this technique and it has a proven track record. If it is not broke don't fix it as I always say.

Great good to know this is a good technique to use - thanks all!