@donkeypong You are rightly advised on that.
Google is very strict for those who pay for the links. Actually, paying for links mean you're taking the risk of "De-indexation". It's not rare, it's a common practice by people and they often get their ass kicked.
Another point is that, There are a lot of idiots in Fiverr (call them SEO beginner) who review service as "Outstanding experience" or "Good seller" or "delivered on time". Actually, delivery is not an issue. Link's effect in the long term is what matters. If you are penalized by Google, then you'd have to try to remove those links, and with fiverr service, you have no such option.
Google is strict for OBL and CF ratio too. I'm planning to explain those factors in Off-Page tutorial series which will come out soon. I am just busy in some personal projects.
But @cryptoctopus highlighted the importance of view-based incentive in Steemit and I really appreciate it. I am sure it will help Steemit greatly to attract new people since people will work hard to promote their content.
I am following you now and looking forward to what you are going write. You are right of course but I don't see how google could figure which articles are being paid for and the ones that are not when they look exactly the same from the outside.