Yes, I used to spend a lot of time thinking about building links to my properties and being overly strict on links out. I can still say I am some what still strick about what I link to but not with the same degree as before. I think you shouldnt link ou too much unless you feel the resource adds much more value that your can provide to your readers on your site.

Keywords and definite must but I now focus more on natural relevance for most of my sites that are broad but focus on about 5 for more niche sites. Of course their feeder sites would target other related keywords to channel traffic back

I havent come accross any definite info about stats but i believe they matter or the big-g wouldnt be tracking them with their analytics. I feel its an extension on google wanting to provide site visitors with relevant info that relates to the keyword that got them there in the first place. If that kw gets them there only for them to leave in a second, then that kw may be miss-representing what’s on that page. In so thinking, I believe google may stop sending traffic from that kw to that page. Just my theory

Thanks for the post

Susan