You are absolutely right.  But if you think that you have duplicate content issues, then Screaming Frog can help you tease that out.

That is also why I suggested the SEOmoz tool, since it is supposed to mimick a SE spider, it can give you a pretty good idea of any issues that you might have.

Using the advanced operator of site:domain makes sense, but if there are issues there like eyepaq said, it is going to be tough sledding.

My suggestion would be to download take a closer look at what GWT is telling you.  Are there duplicates there?  Is your CMS auto-generating URL's?  That is probably going to be your best bet IMO.

Best of luck!

Use the tool Screaming Frog to see all your pages, that should help.  Also, the SEOmoz toolset has a function that will show you all duplicate content (if you are a pro subscriber).

So my perspective is similar to what everyone else here is saying, but I still feel like I can add something to the conversation.

If you believe that the future of links has to do with co-citations (as described by Rand in this WBF) then language HAS to be a factor.

http://www.seomoz.org/blog/prediction-anchor-text-is-dying-and-will-be-replaced-by-cocitation-whiteboard-friday

We already knew that anchor text was being devalued,  but the words surrounding that anchor text will also have an effect.

Having said all that, those links would still signal some kind of authority, right?  For example, CNET probably has links from 50 different languages.  As long as the sites are authoritative that has to be a positive signal on some level.

I'd say, as long as the link doesn't cost you anything, go for it.  It won't hurt.  And if you write a great  landing page in Italian it could be a good long-term investment.

Directories like this can help, but they are very expensive (the Yahoo link cost $299 the last time I checked).  I stand by my advice.  Do something awesome on your site before you ask anyone lese to link to it.  
And make sure that the websites you target for link acquisition are relevant to your site.  In the example you gave, construction sites would be relevant.  But not blogs about travel.  Does that make sense?

Well, you should always try to get a mix of branded and unbranded links.  If you can get links to inner pages, that will also be helpful in helping build authority.

Dude,

The best way to get links is to earn them.

Paid links are against Google's policies, and could get you banned.  Don't buy links.

And before you even start thinking about buying links, make sure that your site is worthy of being linked to.  Then check out this blog post:http://pointblankseo.com/link-building-strategies  And buy this book: www.linkbuildingbook.com.

Unfortunately getting links is not easy, but don't go down the dark road of link buying...no good can come of it.

Good Luck!

Well, best of luck to you!  Hopefully you find what you are looking for.  Also, be sure to mark my answer as a good answer if it was helpful...I can almost taste my Journeyman status because I am so close!

Hi Jason,

Tip No.1 never buy a tool if you don't have time to review the instructions.

Honestly, I got the free version of this software when I was first starting out in SEO, and I found it very cumbersome.  Additionally, it needs frequent updates, and on many occassions you are asked to pay for those updates.  It was because this tool did not give me what I needed that I sought out SEOmoz, Ontolo, Majestic SEO and others.

It may have improved since then, but most of the reviews on Cnet have been mixed:

http://download.cnet.com/SEO-PowerSuite-Professional/3000-18485_4-10920496.html

Can't speak to this site, but here is a link to the true list of Google Analytics certified partners:

http://www.google.com/intl/en_uk/analytics/partners.html

Hope this helps you get it sorted out!

I'll be arriving on Monday, but I'm also going to be visiting with friends while I am there, and trying to enjoy at least one outing to a RandFish approved restaurant.  Anyone wants to get togother for drinks the previous evening, I'm certainly game, hut me up via private message and we can exchange cell numbers.

Hi Joel,

I used to spend a ton of time on the Warrior forum.  Every once in a while there is a worthwhile discussion, but mostly people are looking to sell their products.  When I first became interested in SEO, I even bought a few of their guides.  And while they were not completely useless, most of them didn't tell me anything that I could not have learned for free on a blog.

I personally would not pay for being a member of the Warrior Forum.  In the Post-Penguin world, many of the tactics expoused there are not only useless, but can be detrimental to the health of your websites.  Maybe I am painting with too broad a brush, but there it is.

Dude,

The best way to get links is to earn them.

Paid links are against Google's policies, and could get you banned.  Don't buy links.

And before you even start thinking about buying links, make sure that your site is worthy of being linked to.  Then check out this blog post:http://pointblankseo.com/link-building-strategies  And buy this book: www.linkbuildingbook.com.

Unfortunately getting links is not easy, but don't go down the dark road of link buying...no good can come of it.

Good Luck!

Hi Jason,

Tip No.1 never buy a tool if you don't have time to review the instructions.

Honestly, I got the free version of this software when I was first starting out in SEO, and I found it very cumbersome.  Additionally, it needs frequent updates, and on many occassions you are asked to pay for those updates.  It was because this tool did not give me what I needed that I sought out SEOmoz, Ontolo, Majestic SEO and others.

It may have improved since then, but most of the reviews on Cnet have been mixed:

http://download.cnet.com/SEO-PowerSuite-Professional/3000-18485_4-10920496.html

www.knowem.com is a username checker.  Their list is very extensive, but as Ben points out, I wouldn't suggest making submissions en masse.  I hope that helps!

Well, you should always try to get a mix of branded and unbranded links.  If you can get links to inner pages, that will also be helpful in helping build authority.

Use the tool Screaming Frog to see all your pages, that should help.  Also, the SEOmoz toolset has a function that will show you all duplicate content (if you are a pro subscriber).

Directories like this can help, but they are very expensive (the Yahoo link cost $299 the last time I checked).  I stand by my advice.  Do something awesome on your site before you ask anyone lese to link to it.  
And make sure that the websites you target for link acquisition are relevant to your site.  In the example you gave, construction sites would be relevant.  But not blogs about travel.  Does that make sense?