Backlinks are essential for validating your site’s authority and ultimately boosting organic traffic. But let’s be real—link building can be complex. Many website owners and SEO practitioners struggle to justify spending the time and resources necessary to build quality backlinks.
I’ve made plenty of mistakes along the way, but you don’t have to. If you need high-quality backlinks but find yourself too busy to build them yourself, you’re in the right place. In today’s post, I’m going to share seven link-building services that actually work in 2024.
These services save you time by integrating proven tactics to bring quality backlinks to your domain.
Note: Your link-building strategy should always prioritize quality over quantity. Toxic backlinks can hurt your SEO more than they help, potentially jeopardizing your domain authority and leading to penalties from Google that can be hard to recover from.
So, before we dive into the services that work, let’s quickly cover some you should avoid at all costs.
4 Link Building Services to Avoid at All Costs
Over the years, I’ve tested more than 25 different SEO service providers, and let’s just say that most of them let me down. That’s why I decided to learn SEO on my own. But that’s another story. 🙂
It turns out there are a few link-building services that simply do NOT work. Here’s what you need to avoid:
1. Anything on Fiverr/Cheap Options
When it comes to SEO, Fiverr is a huge waste of money. The old saying, “you get what you pay for,” rings true here. I’ve bought over 800 gigs on Fiverr, and most of them were a disappointment. Back in the day, some of these gigs worked okay, but in 2024? They’re completely useless.
2. Private Blog Networks (PBNs)
I used to love private blog networks. I even built my own PBN and bought links from others. But that all changed in 2017 when Google cracked down on them. Not only does the algorithm now filter out most PBN backlinks, but Google also manually deindexes any network that gets on their radar. So, all those links you just bought? Worthless.
3. Paid Guest Posts
Guest posting can be a valuable part of a white hat SEO campaign, but not when you pay for it. Sites that charge for guest posts are usually shady, and paying for guest post placements can get your site penalized by Google. Legitimate sites like TechCrunch or Mashable aren’t going to ask you for 50 bucks to publish your post.
4. “Push Button” Backlinks
Anything that promises hundreds of backlinks at the push of a button—whether it’s blog comments, article directories, Web 2.0 sites, or directories—is spammy and can do more harm than good. Avoid these “link building packages” like the plague.
The 7 Best Link Building Services for 2024
1. PressPulse AI
What It Is:
PressPulse AI is a platform that automates the process of HARO (Help a Reporter Out) link-building using AI. It connects subject-matter experts with journalists and publishers to create quality, ready-to-publish content that earns you backlinks.
How It Works:
First, sign up on the PressPulse AI platform. The AI will then sift through journalist queries, identify the most relevant ones, and even draft your pitches. All you need to do is review and send them out. The best part? The system runs on autopilot, saving you a ton of time and effort.
Cost:
PressPulse AI offers various plans, starting from a free option to premium plans that provide early access to queries and additional features.
Pros:
High-Quality Links:
You can earn links from top news sites and blogs, similar to those you’d get from HARO, but with much less effort.
Automated Process:
AI handles most of the work, from finding queries to drafting pitches, so you can focus on other tasks.
Affordable:
Compared to manual HARO pitching, this is a cost-effective solution.
Cons:
No “Set It and Forget It” Option:
While the AI does most of the work, you still need to review and approve pitches.
Mainly Home Page Links:
Most links will point to your homepage, which may not be ideal for building links to internal pages.
2. Digital PR Agency
What It Is:
A Digital PR agency focuses on getting your company mentioned in the press by crafting newsworthy stories that they pitch to media outlets. Whether it’s your product or a piece of content you’ve published, these agencies work to get you featured in the news.
How It Works:
PR agencies typically work on a monthly retainer. They’ll brainstorm and pitch ideas to journalists, handle all the outreach, and secure mentions or features for your business.
Cost:
Expect to pay anywhere from $2k to $15k per month, depending on the agency and the scope of the work.
Pros:
High-Quality Backlinks:
Successful PR campaigns can land you links from top-tier sites like Forbes or Fast Company.
Comprehensive Service:
The agency handles everything from pitching to securing the link.
Cons:
Expensive:
PR services are often 2-3x more expensive than traditional SEO services.
No Guarantees:
Even the best PR campaign might not result in a backlink, and you could end up with just a mention.
3. Content Marketing Agencies
What It Is:
These agencies specialize in creating content for your company blog, which can naturally attract backlinks. They focus on producing high-quality, shareable content that draws attention and links.
How It Works:
You pay the agency a monthly fee to create a set number of articles. Some agencies may also offer one-off content services for specific projects.
Cost:
Content marketing agencies charge anywhere from $1k to $20k per month, depending on the quality and volume of content.
Pros:
Natural Link Building:
High-quality content can organically attract backlinks.
White Hat Strategy:
There’s no need to worry about penalties from Google.
Cons:
Not SEO-Focused:
These agencies often don’t offer SEO services, so you may need to handle keyword research and on-page optimization yourself.
Variable Quality:
The quality of content can vary, so choose your agency carefully.
4. Blogger Outreach Services
What It Is:
These services focus on promoting your content through manual link-building and blogger outreach. They handle everything from identifying bloggers to contacting them and securing backlinks.
How It Works:
You pay a flat fee for each link they build. The agency does all the legwork of finding bloggers, pitching content, and following up until the link is secured.
Cost:
Most services charge around $200 per link, though prices can vary depending on the domain authority of the sites involved.
Pros:
Guaranteed Links:
You only pay when the link is secured.
White Hat Approach:
This method focuses on building legitimate, contextual links.
Cons:
Requires Quality Content:
You need high-quality content on your site for bloggers to link to.
Potential for Shady Practices:
Some providers may add your link to their own PBNs and pass it off as outreach, so it’s crucial to vet your service provider.
5. SEO Agency
What It Is:
A full-scale agency that handles all of your SEO needs, including link building. They’ll take care of everything from keyword research to on-page optimization and link building.
How It Works:
You hire the agency, and they optimize your site for search engines. This usually includes some form of link-building as part of their overall strategy.
Cost:
SEO agency costs can vary widely, ranging from $500 to $5k per month, depending on the level of service and the agency’s reputation.
Pros:
Comprehensive Service:
The agency handles all aspects of SEO, not just link building.
Tailored Strategies:
They create content and build links with your SEO goals in mind.
Cons:
Not Focused on Links:
Only a portion of your budget will go toward link building, so if backlinks are your primary goal, this may not be the best option.
Mixed Quality:
The quality of service can vary significantly from one agency to another.
6. Guest Posting Services
What It Is:
These services take care of the entire guest posting process for you, from finding sites that accept guest posts to writing and publishing the posts with a link back to your site.
How It Works:
You pay a flat fee per guest post, and the service handles everything from pitching to publication.
Cost:
Expect to pay between $100 and $500 per guest post, depending on the domain authority of the site.
Pros:
Legitimate Links:
Guest posting on relevant sites is a safe and effective way to build backlinks.
Referral Traffic:
A guest post on a popular site can drive significant referral traffic to your site.
Cons:
Risk of Low-Quality Posts:
Some services may produce low-quality content or publish on spammy sites, so it’s essential to choose a reputable provider.
Limited Scalability:
Over-reliance on guest posting can lead to penalties if too many of your backlinks come from this method.
7. Infographic Design Companies
What It Is:
These companies create infographics and other visual content designed to attract backlinks.
How It Works:
You pay the agency to handle everything from concept to design. Some agencies also offer promotion services to help you get the infographic in front of the right people.
Cost:
A full-service infographic creation process can cost anywhere from $2k to $4k. If you just need the design, expect to pay around $1k to $2k.
Pros:
Effective Link Building:
Infographics can still be a great way to earn backlinks, especially if they go viral.
Hands-Off:
The agency handles everything, so you can focus on other tasks.
Cons:
Hit or Miss:
Some infographics perform well, while others don’t gain traction. It may take several attempts to find success.
Promotion Not Always Included:
Many agencies don’t include promotion in their service, so you’ll need to handle that yourself.
