Did anyone achieved great rankings without buying any links??

[0spiel]

Can you really succeed only by topical authority?

[Juan Roman]

Simple answer is: yes, you can. If you get most other ranking factors right, you don't need links to succeed.

I realise some may not agree, but I've so far built three pretty successful casino sites without buying a single link.

You obviously can't compete for "online casino" or "casino bonus" keywords without any links, but you CAN build good niche websites without them.

[baldidiot]

Yeah we've done it loads of times. It's much harder now than it was but we still have some sites that have no paid links whatsoever, just organic ones. As you'd expect, it's easier with lower competition terms.

I'd say the turning point was around 2021. Before that we had sites ranking for major terms without buying links (eg: free bets, betting sites and so on).

[Rdan13]

If you want to be on first page, you need to have links!

[wonderpunter]

Yes on other niches, but with Casino you will mos tlikely need some kind of links

[newcustomeroffer]

Try this thread, some useful comments on this topic: https://www.gpwa.org/forum/can-you-r...ks-261472.html

[0spiel]

Thank you'll for great answers!

[edgarf76]

several years ago, yes with other sites. Now, its kind of pointless (IMO).

[bpmee]

How literal is your definition of "buying links"?

If you mean paying to get a link on another site, I think it might be possible:

1. Viral content that gets picked up by major media with a link back to your site.

2. Social media/video exposure that produces backlinks, like a breaking news story, rumor, or clickbait piece.

3. Asking a friend who writes for major media, a top industry site, or content network to link to your domain. A drink and dinner are good bribes.

4. Leveraging other personal projects, like a podcast or successful blog, to get the ball rolling.

5. Personal publicity tour: go on every chat show, podcast, or interview to spread your brand. A number of podcasters got their start as a guest on more successful podcasts. Anyone familiar with Joe Rogan will know his show has spawned a number of new shows. Oprah Winfrey, the famous talk show host, saw her guests create their own franchises.

6. Start a controversy if you're not shame prone. Post updates on your site. Any publicity is good publicity.

7. Build an app, widget, or plugin that leads people to link back to your page.

8. Get Lucky

Now, if you mean get links without any sort of investment and pure content writing alone: No, it's not possible unless you're targeting extremely low competition keywords.

For many, any one or combination of #1-#7 aren't possible, particularly if you're a small outfit or just breaking into the industry.

For others, it's quite possible. A number of erstwhile sports journalists in the USA have decided to start legal sports betting sites. They know who to call for exposure, links, and references in the existing media hierarchy. Buddies from other newspapers return favors. Content is no problem as they can write in their sleep. No links necessary.

In fact, some of the US "corporate affiliates" have sponsored or purchased major newspapers to "help" with their marketing efforts. I believe GDC just cut a deal with Gannett (USA Today) and previously "sponsored" McClatchy (various regional papers). Imagine those sites as your personal PBN?

Finally, it's becoming harder to compete in English language markets with established authority sites. These sites can have an intern fart out a 3-paragraph piece to quickly rank for under-utilized keywords. Such articles usually displace established lower-authority sites that previously held the top spot for years.

Perhaps it's still possible in niche markets, non-English searches, or where big operators haven't arrived yet.

[Mattbar]

Yeah we've done it loads of times. It's much harder now than it was but we still have some sites that have no paid links whatsoever, just organic ones. As you'd expect, it's easier with lower competition terms.

I'd say the turning point was around 2021. Before that we had sites ranking for major terms without buying links (eg: free bets, betting sites and so on).

Similar here. I still run sites that are completely organic and I have sites I build links to. The organic sites still rank in various niches but as people have said it is way harder to do now, especially if you want to rank for competitive keywords.

The updates in 2021 really did favour sites with links but in the future it may go the other way again so it's important to have a diverse approach. I don't think you can achieve great rankings now without links, or it will take a hell of a long time, but in the future who knows.

[Ninja16]

I am currently kind of testing out this topic. Instead of building links/buying links, we bought totally irrelevant domains but with higher DA value. Here is my test results:

Site 1: hxxps://canadianpharmacyrdx _com

As you see with domain name it is not related to sports betting. After posting only home page it is getting traffic from major keywords within couple days! Will see in the long run what happens.

Site 2: hxxps://klxy _net

We redirect low DA domain web site with 35 pages to this lately expired higher DA domain which is again not relevant to sports betting at all. Before redirection we posted one AI generated 500 words post and it was indexed and ranked very well next day. At the moment waiting to settle down redirection. Will see what happens.

Will see in the long run what happens. If it will continue like this we keep it. Otherwise use those sites as PBN.

[universal4]

I do in fact see relevant links from gambling industry sites using gambling related keywords.

Among the Reliable Betting Sites, the best betting sites in Turkish and abroad are listed with their bonuses and promotions.
Reliable Betting Sites
betting sites

So, even if you did not do the same thing in other places it seems the testing is slightly flawed due to gambling links from here.

Not sure how many of the previous 58 posts had the signature enable but I see most of the ones I checked randomly.

You also might be getting a small amount of on target outgoing link benefit.

Interesting test nonetheless.

Rick
Universal4

[PaulEchere]

I tried that with my Canadian website.
It's a super competitive and overpopulated niche and region, however ranking close to or actually #1 was possible for less popular longtails. Say, ones that have between 10 and 100 impressions per month.

Those started generating some income, which allowed me to start buying links with no additional investment.

Ranking well for a high volume popular keyword without investing into it - I'd say (and I might be wrong) is close to impossible.

Then again, you can rank well for popular ish KWs with minimal investment if your content and structure is good enough.

[Raúl Jimenez]

Of course, it is possible, but not in this niche and not by the keys that convert.

[Ninja16]

FYI

Signature here was updated after testing and seeing result of the first domain. There was no betting related backlink at all. For me it was enough to see one single page website could be ranked in highly competive niche. What I do not know is what happens in long run.

[MichaelBluejay]

I've been doing this for decades and have never bought links.

It's certainly harder to rank now with killer content alone, but possible.

[danielapuestas]

That's why I hope Google dies soon.
Their first guideline is that buying links will get you a penalty.
Meanwhile, the whole internet functions on link-buying.
Go figure.

[0spiel]

That's why I hope Google dies soon.
Their first guideline is that buying links will get you a penalty.
Meanwhile, the whole internet functions on link-buying.
Go figure.

Agree, 1st page almost all sponsored content. Google wanna monopolize it all!

[mybestcasino]

Look at the top 10 Google search results. Almost all sites have a large link profile. Draw your own conclusions.

[Pokerface]

It seems to be somewhat rare in iGaming but not impossible. Some affiliates focus on content and end up doing well without the need to build links. Google seems to pick it up. In some cases, the content might be good enough to generate links.