Yes, and I think OP was trying to point out Google Adsense allows "paid links" to be displayed on the same website: "You own a website, I own a website, I pay $100 to Google who decides when to show my ad on your website and keep $60 for itself."
In other words, if you pay Google (30% more money) to display the links on another website, you are alright. However, if you directly pay the website owners (roughly 30% less money) for them to add a paid link on the same site at the same spot, you are running afoul of Google's rules.
So, as a business owner, to be in the good books of Google, you incur 30% extra expenses.
I am not trying to criticize Google here (I use multiple Google services), just pointing out how many small business owners see this.
I think the biggest difference between the two is that one looks like ads and the other looks like natural links. I'm pretty sure Google wouldn't penalize you for having your own advertisements on your site when they are clearly marked as such.
In other words, if you pay Google (30% more money) to display the links on another website, you are alright. However, if you directly pay the website owners (roughly 30% less money) for them to add a paid link on the same site at the same spot, you are running afoul of Google's rules. So, as a business owner, to be in the good books of Google, you incur 30% extra expenses.
I am not trying to criticize Google here (I use multiple Google services), just pointing out how many small business owners see this.