Buying & hiring
I’ve been burned more times than I care to admit. An agency that promised "premium contextual links" delivered a dozen spammy directory listings. A freelancer vanished mid-campaign. A marketplace listing turned out to be a PBN network with no real traffic. Every mistake cost me not just money, but time and rankings too.
This cluster is my personal playbook for buying and hiring link building services without repeating those mistakes. I’ve tested blogger outreach services, guest posting packages, white-label link building, and even sold backlinks myself at one point. The guides here are the ones I wish I had before signing my first contract.
If you’re a buyer who has been burned — or just want to avoid becoming one — start here. I’ll show you what to look for, what to avoid, and how to separate real value from inflated promises.
At a glance
- Guides in this cluster
- 14
- Cheapest service type
- Blogger outreach (often under $100)
- Average premium link cost
- $300–$1,000
- Risk level (my rating)
- Moderate to high
In this topic
How I use these guides
When I need a new link building partner, I follow a structured process. I start with Buy Backlinks to understand the different models — pay-per-link, pay-per-post, retainer. Then I compare pricing using Link Building Pricing so I don’t overpay. If I’m considering a freelancer, I read Hire Freelance Link Builders to check their evaluation criteria. For full-service engagements, I go through Link Building Service and Outsource Link Building to decide between agency and individual. Finally, Guest Posting Services covers the most common tactic I outsource — guest posting — with specific vetting steps. These six guides cover 90% of my buying decisions.
Start with these three
If you only read three guides in this cluster, make them: Link Building Pricing — because knowing market rates stops you from being overcharged; Buy Backlinks — to understand what you’re actually buying and what the risks are; and Link Building Service — to learn how to evaluate a service provider before signing up. These three give you a solid foundation to make informed decisions.
What I skip or push back on
After being burned, I’m skeptical of anything that sounds too easy. I skip services that promise “guaranteed” links without disclosing the source — that’s usually a PBN or a low-quality directory network. I also push back on agencies that refuse to show real examples of past placements with traffic data, not just DR scores. And I avoid any service that uses generic outreach templates — they usually get ignored by real editors. Another hard pass: “unlimited links for a flat fee.” Those are almost always spun articles or links from trash sites. If you see those offers, check the Risk & hats cluster first.
Related clusters
Once you’ve figured out how to buy links, you’ll want to know how to judge their quality — visit How I judge links. If you prefer building links yourself, check Methods I use. And for understanding the risks of black-hat vs. white-hat, see Risk & hats. These clusters complement the buying and hiring guides by giving you the bigger picture.
Frequently asked questions
How much should I pay for a single backlink?
It depends heavily on the type of link, the domain’s relevance and traffic, and the effort involved. For a guest post on a decent niche blog, expect $100–$300. For a premium editorial link on a high-authority site, $500–$1,000 is common. I break down costs in detail in the Link Building Pricing guide.
Can I trust link building marketplaces?
Some are fine, many are not. Marketplaces often aggregate low-quality inventory from PBNs or link farms. If you use one, always check the actual site traffic and relevance before buying. I lean toward vetted services instead — see Link Building Service for what to look for.
Should I hire a freelancer or an agency?
A freelancer is usually cheaper and gives you more control, but you need to vet them carefully — read Hire Freelance Link Builders. An agency costs more but often provides accountability and a team. Decide based on your budget, the scale of links you need, and your tolerance for management overhead.
What's the biggest red flag when buying links?
Promises of guaranteed links with no disclosure of method. Also, any provider who claims they can get you a backlink from any site you want — that’s usually a PBN or a hacked site. Real link building takes relationship building, which can’t be forced. If it feels like a factory, it probably is.