Buy Backlinks Guide: Types, Cost, Top Services

Backlinks are essential to SEO, but should you buy them? The answer isn’t as simple as yes or no. In this guide, we’ll explore whether you should invest in backlinks, the types of backlinks to consider, their costs, and the best services to use.

Why Listen to Me?

I’ve spent over $1 million on backlinks and link-building, working with dozens of services and building more than 100,000 links for businesses across various industries. I’ve learned what works, what doesn’t, and how to avoid tactics that could get your site penalised.

Here’s everything you need to know to decide if you should buy backlinks.

Is Buying Backlinks Legal?

Technically, yes, buying backlinks is legal. However, buying links directly from websites without marking them as “sponsored” violates Google’s Webmaster Guidelines. This could harm your site.

But here’s the nuance: While directly purchasing backlinks is against Google’s rules, hiring an agency, a freelancer, or an in-house marketer to earn backlinks for you is perfectly legitimate. Google encourages earning backlinks through effort, not direct transactions.

Don’t: Pay $100 to a website owner to post your backlink.

Do: Hire a reputable link-building service that earns backlinks for you, keeping your site in line with Google’s guidelines.

How to Buy Backlinks the Right Way

To avoid penalties, you need to focus on link-building strategies that comply with Google’s guidelines. This means not directly purchasing links. Instead, hire professionals to conduct outreach, write compelling content, and build relationships that naturally earn backlinks.

The right approach:

Hire freelancers or agencies experienced in outreach
Focus on creating valuable content that attracts natural backlinks
Build relationships with content publishers and journalists

By doing this, you’re not paying for links; you’re paying for the expertise needed to earn them.

Which Types of Backlinks Matter?

Not all backlinks are created equal. Here’s a breakdown of which ones to pursue:

1. Editorial Mentions – Focus Here!

Editorial mentions are the gold standard of backlinks. These links appear naturally within high-quality content on reputable websites. For example, a mention of your brand in a HubSpot blog post boosts your site’s authority.

Building these relationships takes time, but it’s worth it. Avoid buying links from low-quality websites—instead, hire a team that knows how to earn these mentions.

2. Niche Edits / Link Insertions – Also Worth Your Time

Niche edits, or link insertions, involve getting your link added to an existing piece of content. For instance, if you write a guide on data centers, you might reach out to relevant blogs to include your guide as a resource in their content. Again, these require strong relationships and the help of a professional agency.

3. Directory or Profile Backlinks – Avoid These

These are often nofollow links, like those you add to a directory or social media profile. They provide minimal value and shouldn’t be a primary focus.

4. Forum Links – Avoid These

Posting your link in forum discussions is another tactic that offers low-quality backlinks. These rarely provide the SEO value you’re looking for.

How to Buy High-Quality Backlinks (And Avoid Spammy Ones)

The best way to secure high-quality backlinks is to outsource link-building to an experienced agency. High-authority websites like Forbes, HubSpot, or GoDaddy don’t sell links, so you’ll need to focus on earning them through relationship-building, outreach, and great content.

Avoid cheap services—especially those from Fiverr—because these typically involve private blog networks (PBNs), which won’t help your rankings. Quality backlinks from high-authority sites cost more, but the investment is worthwhile.

How Much Do Backlinks Cost?

Short Answer: Anything less than $500 per link is usually low quality. Avoid them.

Long Answer: High-quality backlinks from authoritative domains generally cost $900–$1500 per link. The cost varies based on strategy and backlink quality.

Remember, the price reflects the effort involved in building relationships, creating top-tier content, and navigating editorial processes to get your link placed on a respected site.

Are Paid Backlinks Worth It?

Yes, but only if you’re paying for a professional service to earn backlinks, not directly purchasing them from websites. Hiring an expert link-building team provides value because they bring their experience, connections, and understanding of what links will actually move the needle for your SEO strategy.

How Many Backlinks Do I Need to Rank?

There’s no fixed number of backlinks needed to rank—it depends on your niche, competition, and current authority. However, focusing on 6-15 high-quality backlinks per month is a good rule of thumb.

Final Thoughts: Should You Buy Backlinks?

In competitive niches, backlinks are essential. But the key is not to buy them directly from site owners. Instead, invest in a reputable agency or expert who can build a sustainable, high-quality link-building strategy that follows Google’s guidelines.

As you execute these strategies, it’s crucial to track your expenses. Use an SEO invoice template or invest in invoice software for small businesses to stay organized and transparent in your financials.