Backlinks help improve website rankings and increase organic traffic. But not all backlinks are the same. To make informed backlink purchasing decisions, understand which types to consider and which to avoid. This article offers valuable insights and tips for seamless link acquisition when purchasing backlinks.
Factors to Consider When Purchasing Backlinks:
Avoid Multicategory Websites
When scouting for backlink opportunities, be cautious of websites that cover multiple unrelated categories, such as technology, health, Food, Travel, sports, and wellness. Unless it’s a reputable news site, these sites are often designed to sell links and may not offer real value to your customers.
Beware of Websites with “Privacy Policy” or “Write For Us”
Websites with “Privacy Policy” or “Guest Post” in their main menu are usually worthless. They mainly exist to sell links and show that the site owner is lazy.
Consider Websites with Sufficient Organic Traffic in the Niche
Before purchasing backlinks, analyze the website’s organic traffic using tools like Ahrefs. Websites with little or no organic traffic (0-1000) in your client’s niche may not contribute significantly to your SEO efforts, so it’s wise to avoid them.
Watch Out for “Sponsored” or “Partners” Mentions
Be wary of websites that mention “Sponsored” or “Partners” within their articles. These remarks frequently suggest that the links inside the content are paid and could not have the needed SEO value. Websites that openly advertise the sale of guest posts or sponsored posts, usually in the footer section, should be approached with caution.
Avoid Websites without a Logo
Websites without professional logos are commonly associated with link-selling practices. A lack of effort in creating a recognizable brand identity may reflect poorly on the overall quality and trustworthiness of the website.
Likelihood of Google’s Detection in Different Scenarios
Google’s sophisticated algorithms aim to identify link schemes, although the exact detection mechanisms remain undisclosed. When considering two scenarios, in the first, where you buy links from a website that already has thousands of other buyers, the overall unnatural appearance of the site raises suspicions and significantly increases the likelihood of detection by Google. However, in the second scenario, where you are the sole purchaser of a backlink from a website, the risk of detection is relatively lower. So avoid those websites that sell thousands of links.
Steer Clear of Websites with Incorrect Language Mixing
Avoid websites that mix languages incorrectly, such as featuring Latin content within an English website, as it may indicate poor website management and low-quality backlink opportunities.
Websites Marking Purchased Links as rel=‘sponsored’/’nofollow’
When buying backlinks, watch out for sites that label those links as “sponsored” or “nofollow”. It may not always be a cause for concern, but it can reduce the link’s SEO value and affect how well it works to raise search engine rankings.
Websites Marking Purchased Links
Avoid Websites Limiting the Number of Links Per Article
Websites that restrict the number of links (generally 1) allowed per article can limit your ability to optimize anchor text and fully utilize the backlink’s potential. Websites that allow for flexible link insertion are the best options.
Look for Websites with Active and Recent Content
When assessing potential backlink opportunities, focus on websites that demonstrate recent activity and engagement. Websites with posts published a month ago or less indicate a level of freshness and vitality, suggesting they are actively maintained.
“News” Category Websites with Generic Articles
It’s strange to come across “news” category websites that solely feature generic articles rather than actual news content. These sites may not offer much value in terms of backlink acquisition. So be careful when considering them.
Additional Points to Consider
To further improve your link buying process, consider these additional points:
Stability in Website Traffic
For stability, choose a website with constant traffic. A sudden drop in traffic can indicate problems or penalties that can affect the effectiveness of your backlinks.
Penalty-Free Websites
Check if the site is penalized by search engines for violating guidelines. Links from penalized sites can negatively impact your client’s SEO efforts.
Reliable User Experience and User Interface
Select websites with a reliable user experience and a well-designed user interface. These aspects lead to favorable user impressions and boost the possibility of relevant traffic from the backlink.
Diverse Traffic Sources
Watch out for websites where 5k or 10k traffic comes solely from 2/3 articles. It could indicate bot traffic or manipulation. Choose sites with diversified traffic sources to avoid relying on a few articles for significant traffic.
Be Cautious of Unsolicited Outreach
When a website reaches out to you to offer link placement opportunities, conduct thorough research and ensure they are legit before proceeding.
Anchor Text Diversity
Seek websites that utilize a mix of anchor text types rather than solely focusing on targeted keywords. A varied anchor text profile helps create a natural and organic link profile, improving overall SEO effectiveness.
Avoid Websites with Multiple Associated Sites
Thoroughly vet websites with multiple associated sites, as they could potentially be part of a private blog network (PBN) designed for link manipulation, rather than offering genuine value.
Block List Senders
If a vendor sends you a list of websites, it is generally better to avoid working with them. The quality and relevance of those websites may be questionable.
Tips for Link Purchasing at Scale
Ensure Link Verification before Payment
It is essential to withhold payment from vendors until you have received the links and verified their quality. This practice protects you from potential issues and guarantees you receive the value you paid for.
Invest in Link Monitoring Systems
Investing in a link monitoring system becomes essential when buying dozens of links per month. These systems actively check the validity and quality of your purchased links, enabling you to identify any issues or surprises that may arise months after the initial purchase.
The Dangers of Cheap Backlinks on Platforms like Upwork and Fiverr
Recognize the widespread presence of platforms like Upwork and Fiverr, where individuals offer backlinks in large quantities at low prices. Although the temptation to purchase these inexpensive backlinks may arise, it is crucial to comprehend the associated risks.
Many sellers on these platforms employ black hat SEO techniques to generate backlinks. These paid links are usually of inferior quality, irrelevant to your client’s niche, and may even come from spammy or penalized websites. Such links can harm your client’s website’s reputation and SEO efforts rather than improve them.
Google’s Perspective on Buying Backlink
Buying backlinks is discouraged by Google. It violates their Webmaster Guidelines and can result in penalties or lower search engine rankings for the targeted website.
Why Consider Buying Backlinks Despite the Risks
While the risks associated with buying backlinks are clear, there are still some scenarios where it can be considered:
Competitive Niches
In competitive industries, buying high-quality backlinks from reputable sources can give your client’s website an edge when natural link acquisition is challenging.
Expediting Results
Building a backlink profile demands substantial time and effort. If your client has a deadline and needs quicker results, buying backlinks from trustworthy sources can provide a temporary boost while you focus on long-term organic link-building tactics.
Niche Expertise
Some vendors specialize in specific niches and have established relationships with authoritative websites in those industries. Engaging with these vendors to purchase backlinks can enable you to access niche-specific audiences and enhance your client’s authority in their target market.
Even in these circumstances, use caution and extensively investigate and analyze the sites supplying backlinks to guarantee they fit the aforementioned requirements.
Purchasing backlinks can be risky, especially with cheap options on platforms like Upwork and Fiverr. Google discourages this practice, but in some cases, purchasing high-quality backlinks from reputable sources can provide temporary benefits. Always prioritize quality over quantity, conduct due diligence when selecting vendors, and always prioritize long-term organic link-building strategies to ensure sustainable SEO success for your clients.
