It does seem that recent Google algorithm tweaks mean that Google is now more fussy about links. Not long ago, all links (except for the excessively spammy ones) were good links. Now it's possible to be penalised for too many links with the same anchor text and social media posts are having a bigger impact. Google is trying to build an algorithm where organic links (where others link to your content because they think it is good) are the ones that send you "link juice". Most link building techniques are "spammy" to a greater or lesser extent.
If someone has a good link building method, I hope they'll posy it here. Free directories, Squidoo lenses, etc. seem to be nearly useless, and even potentailly damaging, for SEO purposes these days.