If you’ve ever ventured into the world of link building, you’ve probably come across offers to buy backlinks. It’s a common pitch—even our own team hears about it on a daily basis.
The big question everyone’s asking (and you’re probably asking too) is: Should you actually buy backlinks?
Here’s the deal: Buying backlinks can give you a quick jump in Google search results and bring in more visitors. Think of it like a little shortcut to get noticed online. But, and this is a big BUT, it’s super easy to mess up and end up spending money for nothing – or even hurting your website in the long run.
Some folks in the SEO world say buying backlinks is playing with fire. Others think it’s a smart move, if you know what you’re doing. Let’s break it down in plain English – the good, the bad, and how to do it right (if you even should).
What Exactly Is Buying Backlinks Anyway?
At its core, buying links means paying a site owner to host a backlink to your website. The idea is, Google sees these links as votes of confidence, which can help your website rank higher and get more traffic from Google searches.
For instance, you might pay a travel blog to include a link to your hotel booking website within a post about ‘Top Destinations in Europe.
Sounds straightforward, right?
Well, hold on a sec. It’s not always that simple, especially if you start looking at the shady side of SEO – what we call “black-hat” tactics. Think of it as taking shortcuts that Google really doesn’t like.
If you’re going to think about buying links, the smart way is to stick to the “white-hat” path. That means getting links from good, trustworthy websites that Google respects, and making sure you’ve got great stuff on your site that people actually want to link to. That’s the way to see real, lasting results.
So, Should You Buy Backlinks? The Real Talk.
Short answer? “It depends” – but let’s get a bit more helpful than that.
If you refuse to pay for any backlinks at all, you might be missing out on some really high-quality opportunities.
In some industries, paying for a link is practically the only way to secure a spot on a high-value site. Big players in sectors like insurance, finance, and even casinos are known to invest heavily in backlinks.
But here’s the key thing to remember: any time you pay for links, you gotta be super careful. And ideally, those links should actually be helpful and interesting for the people reading them. If it’s not good for the reader, it’s probably not good for you in the long run either.
What Google Thinks About Paid Links (Spoiler: They’re Not Fans)
First thing to know: Google isn’t exactly thrilled about buying and selling links. Their rules are pretty clear – they don’t want you buying or selling links as part of what they call “link schemes.” Basically, if it looks like you’re trying to fake your way to the top, Google’s going to frown upon it.
That said, buying and selling links is way more common than you might think. These days, Google’s less likely to just punish you right away for paid links. Instead, they often just ignore or “devalue” links they think are paid for. Think of it like Google saying, “Yeah, we see that link, but we’re not really counting it.”
Why Do SEO Pros Even Consider Buying Links?
Remember the old “Skyscraper Technique”? Years ago, you could get tons of links for free just by making your content a little better than what was already out there. We even got over 50 links in a month for some clients back in the day! But these days, getting links just by creating good stuff is much harder, unless you create something that goes totally viral.
Now, website owners know links are valuable. If you’ve ever tried to reach out to other sites to get a link, you know that many of them will only link to you if you pay. Seriously, check out those blogger income reports – you’ll see “sponsored posts” (paid links) are often a huge part of how they make money.
It’s kind of a win-win for both sides: website owners make money, and you get a link that could make your site look more credible.
Okay, How Much Does a Backlink Actually Cost?
The price of a backlink can vary dramatically—think anywhere from $50 all the way up to $10,000+ and it really depends on several factors. Here’s a breakdown to give you a clearer picture:
Pricing structure:
- Per-Link Fees: A fixed cost per link.
- Monthly Retainers: Ongoing services with a set number of links per month.
- Bulk Packages: Discounts for buying in large volumes.
Average Cost Breakdown:
- Paid Niche Edits: Typically $50 to $300 per link.
- Paid Guest Posts: Generally range from $80 to $250 for mid‑tier sites, higher for top‑tier.
- Editorial Mentions: Can cost between $900 and $5,000 on high‑authority sites.
Keep in mind – in highly competitive or regulated niches—like finance, insurance, casinos, or CBD – or need links in from a site specific location, prices can jump up even more. It’s just tougher and more valuable to get those links.
Here’s the bottom line: You really do get what you pay for. A $50 link from a site nobody trusts? Pretty much useless. A $2,000 link from a website everyone respects? That could actually help your Google rankings a lot.
Hidden Costs – Don’t forget to factor in additional expenses like content creation, outreach efforts, and even potential risks if the link strategy isn’t executed properly.
Watch out for red flags:
- Super Cheap Prices: If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Really cheap links are often low quality.
- Promises of “Instant Results”: SEO takes time. Anyone promising instant top rankings from backlinks might be using risky tactics.
Where to Buy Backlinks?
Okay, if you’re still thinking about it, here are some places you might find backlinks for sale:
- Backlink Marketplaces: These are online platforms specifically designed for buying and selling backlinks. They often operate like job boards or e-commerce sites where you can browse various backlink packages and filter by metrics like Domain Authority (DA), website category, and price.
- Freelance Marketplaces: Platforms like Fiverr or Upwork have freelancers who offer backlink services. You can find people who do guest posting, directory submissions, and more. Just be sure to check their past work and reviews carefully.
- Link Building Agencies: Working with an agency offers the advantage of expert guidance. Rather than simply buying links, you benefit from a strategy built on organic outreach and public relations. A reputable agency will provide case studies, client testimonials, and detailed insights into their process—ensuring you invest in methods that support sustainable SEO growth.
How to Lower the Risks if You Buy Backlinks
Buying backlinks always has some risk, so here’s how to make it safer and fit it into your overall SEO plan:
- Mix Up Your Link Sources: Don’t just rely on paid links. Get links in other ways too, like earning them naturally. This looks more normal to Google.
- Get Links Slowly, Not All at Once: Buying tons of links suddenly can look suspicious. Spread it out over time to look more natural.
- Get Both “DoFollow” and “NoFollow” Links: “DoFollow” links help your rankings more, but a natural website has both types. Mixing them up looks more organic.
- Make Sure the Content is Good and Relevant: Every link you buy should be in good, relevant content on the other site. It’s better for SEO and for people reading it.
- Keep an Eye on Your Links Regularly: Use tools like Google Search Console to check your links. If you see any bad or spammy links, get rid of them to protect your site.
- Work with Trustworthy People: Only work with agencies or freelancers who have a good reputation. Ask for examples of their work and check if other people recommend them.
It’s All About Quality, Really – And Long-Term Thinking
In the end, whether buying backlinks is smart boils down to the quality of the website you’re getting the link from. Google is increasingly sophisticated at figuring out if a website is genuinely helpful and authoritative, regardless of whether a link is paid or not. Their focus is less on paid vs unpaid and more on valuable vs worthless.
So, before you spend any money, do your homework. Really dig into the website you’re considering getting a link from. Look for original, helpful content. Check if it’s clear who owns and runs the site. See if it has consistent, real website traffic and if people are actually engaged with the content. If a site checks those boxes, it might be a reasonable investment. But remember, even the best-bought link is just one piece of the puzzle.
Wrapping It Up: Think Smart, Not Just Fast – and Focus on Long-Term Brand Building
So, is buying backlinks a good idea? Still no simple yes or no. It depends on what you want to achieve, how much risk you’re okay with, and most importantly, the quality of the links. If you’re careful, do your research, and always put quality first, buying backlinks could be a part of a solid SEO plan. But it should never be the whole plan.
Remember, building a truly successful website and brand online is a marathon, not a sprint. While buying backlinks might give you a short-term boost, focusing on creating amazing content, building genuine relationships, and earning links naturally is what will build lasting authority and long-term success. And when you think about sponsored content on good websites, consider it not just for a quick SEO bump, but as a way to build your brand’s reputation and get in front of the right audience over the long haul.
If you want to talk to pros who’ve been doing link building for years – and not just paid links, but all sorts of ethical ways to get links – we’re here. We’ve helped tons of businesses figure this stuff out, and we can help you find the best way forward for your business. Check out our case studies or drop us a line through our website anytime.
Happy (and smart!) linking – strategically, ethically, and for the long run!
