Worth buying a back link from high authority site?

[betteri]

Hi!

Yes, there's obviously been a lot of talk about backlinks, but this is one topic I couldn't find. Even Google itself wasn't too precise this time. Hope I can get some nice feedback from here as I've studied SEO a lot but am still pretty confused about the whole backlink scene.

So I've got a site that's only 6 months old with basically zero proper backlinks but still getting higher on results almost every day. However I'm assuming I'm not going to rank very high without backlinks, no matter how good quality the content is. So at the moment I'm taking steps to buying backlinks. I think it makes no sense to buy ****** backlinks from Fiverr so I'm thinking of buying like 2-5 high-quality backlinks from big sites (to my level), which means like Authority Score 60+.

Still I can't quite figure out if it's worth it. They cost a lot, they're not related to gambling and obviously there will be a lot of other links, from both iGaming and other fields. Can it be worth it?

If not, what should I buy then? What confuses me the most is that people keep saying that backlinks are mandatory but at the same time, one might think a giant like Google already in 2022 could pretty easily detect backlinks that are bought and give them zero value? But wouldn't that mean almost any backlink in our niche, who is going to link to a competitor lol?

[universal4]

The questions you ask have been discussed MANY times in most of the discussions with the topic of backlinks.

QUALITY always over quantity.

And also, what has been talked about but link sellers continue to downplay, RELEVANCE.

If you are selling blue and red widgets, why should google give value to a link you get from a site selling bird houses?

Can google detect some links that are bought? Certainly, and they will most likely suspect the links on the site for bird houses that point at widgets are purchased or exchanged.

Rick
Universal4

[wonderpunter]

When evaluating a backlink dont base it on the authority score tools, you can have pbn, ex high value sites with new website theme and pumped up scores.. just look at 2 things.. keywords, and traffic thats all you need to know really, if google likes it then so will youre site

[baldidiot]

Still I can't quite figure out if it's worth it. They cost a lot, they're not related to gambling and obviously there will be a lot of other links, from both iGaming and other fields. Can it be worth it?

...then they're probably the wrong links.

Don't be buying links to a gambling site from a knitting site. Find relevant sites, or at least where there's the ability to create a relevant link that isn't out of place on the original site.

Loads of gambling related sites you can get links, both paid and free.

[gm2891]

If you're planning to buy 2-5 high authority backlinks, as you say, then do a bit of digging and pick 2-5 backlinks your main competitors have in common. Then try getting/buying these.

[betteri]

If you're planning to buy 2-5 high authority backlinks, as you say, then do a bit of digging and pick 2-5 backlinks your main competitors have in common. Then try getting/buying these.

Well, that's where I got the idea originally from! In my country there's one site dominating sports betting field, which is #1 or #2 in every main KW. They got this one backlink which is way above any other of their back links. But like I said the link hasn't got anything to do with gaming, it's some open platform project or whatever, I don't really even understand what it is I can also see plenty of other iGaming links there.

This "supporting" costs 300$ a month. While that is nothing for many, for me it is and partly because of this topic, I've decided not to go for it this time. So thanks everyone.

[eenzoo]

...then they're probably the wrong links.

Don't be buying links to a gambling site from a knitting site. Find relevant sites, or at least where there's the ability to create a relevant link that isn't out of place on the original site.

Loads of gambling related sites you can get links, both paid and free.

That is a mistake (imo) a lot people do!
The domain don't need to be very topic to get a good link, but the page/post where you link has been placed.

Example - Poker link from the knitting site:

As pokerknitting.com (source link) has reported, the former WSOP champ got cold feeds during the annual finals which results in an early mistake while squeezing his nose ... be aware and keep your feeds warm!

----

If the knitting site is in good condition and a trusted site (Google), that link wouldn't be wrong!

[wonderpunter]

it's true.. but my guess is that they get devalued or less weighted on every borad core update.

That is a mistake (imo) a lot people do!
The domain don't need to be very topic to get a good link, but the page/post where you link has been placed.

Example - Poker link from the knitting site:

As pokerknitting.com (source link) has reported, the former WSOP champ got cold feeds during the annual finals which results in an early mistake while squeezing his nose ... be aware and keep your feeds warm!

----

If the knitting site is in good condition and a trusted site (Google), that link wouldn't be wrong!

[eenzoo]

it's true.. but my guess is that they get devalued or less weighted on every borad core update.

Yeah, probably yes!
But I feel that for the whole process to bring a site to rankings.
To judge one particular link or action became almost impossible.

To measure up success is possible only by time. So many little adjustments, expensive link building, content, social media (probably not) ... and the outcome is more or less a guessing game. But, unfortunately, without that BS bingo, you will never see the REAL revenue potential in our industry.

[Dingo]

Of course, it is better to have relevant sites.
But relevant sites related to gambling, not so much, and those that are - spammy or expensive. And competitors certainly won't link to you.

You can be afraid of Google updates, but when all your competitors buy the same off-topic links because there's nowhere to get them, even with Google updates everyone is on equal footing - there's no one higher up.

[petimi]

I found that making topical connections help a lot, it also help you finding more link opportunities and you won't be restricted to gambling sites only.
I give you an example: let's say you build link for a slot page "batman slots". You can reach out to movie related large blog who can publish an article about the recent The Batman movie and insert a paragraph about the slot in the article in a way that contextually makes sense.

This way you can get a link from strong authority sites without sacrificing relevancy. This method works well especially for games where it's easy to make connections with the theme of the games. Guest posting on non-gambling sites tend to be more cost effective too.

[robyroy]

The short answer is yes, it is worth it.

The long answer …. Depends. There are many factors, like relevance, outbound links, quality of inbound links and so on.

But, in my opinion, I prefer strong links from a news platform then a related link from a website made only for selling adverts.

[pokeraussie]

The short answer is yes, it is worth it.

The long answer …. Depends. There are many factors, like relevance, outbound links, quality of inbound links and so on.

But, in my opinion, I prefer strong links from a news platform then a related link from a website made only for selling adverts.

I once got a link on The Guardian it helped immensely Generally speaking, the harder it is to get a link, the more it will help you.

[Hristo]

Hi,

My 2 cents on the matter:

Is it worth buying links - it is naive to think that you can rank high in competitive niches without any link building, be that just outreach (many different tactics) or buying links in any form.

Now while outreach works well in some niches, people are less hesitant to link to Gambling related sites (not impossible, just harder).

Can you write super cool and helpful content and wait for people to link to you "organically" - yes, probably you will get a link once in a while. You will have to invest a lot (time + money) in content though, i.e. researching Hot topics, trends, etc.

On top of that the big players are probably doing that + buying links, so they will still have the advantage if you don`t buy links.

In my opinion, the successful strategy is to mix different things:

-A few guest posts from quality / authority sites with traffic
-A few home page links from PBN`s built on expired domains
-Some directories
-Don`t forget to get some Social signals to "justify" the links that you buy (Matt Diggity has a great video about that)

Honestly for me, building your own PBN`s on good domains is how you can get the edge over your competitors (these are links they can never acquire) + it has great ROI - get a good domain, build a simple website, sell a few guest posts (just leave a contact email, people will outreach you without doing anything, tested), domain will pay for itself -> repeat. Yes, it recquires a bit more of an investment in the beginning, but it`s one of the few ways you can get strong homepage links that your competitors can`t.

Even better if you run a multiple projects..

Something else - when you wonder what links to get - just do reverse engineering and scan your competitors - what links do they have? What % of their links are from High authority sites with traffic, what % are directories, what % are keyword anchors, what % are homepage links etc. Scan the people on 1st page, obviously that`s what G wants to see. Bear in mind probably they will block the most common bot crawlers from their PBN`s, so you will not be able to see this with Ahref in example.

Don`t want to make the post super long, drop me a message or add me in Skype if you want me to share more.

Cheers and I hope that helps!

[baldidiot]

I once got a link on The Guardian it helped immensely Generally speaking, the harder it is to get a link, the more it will help you.

Organic or do you have a hook up?

[pokeraussie]

Organic or do you have a hook up?

Organic it was for a non-gambling website.

[baldidiot]

Organic it was for a non-gambling website.

Ah OK. Yeah for our mainstream sites we regularly get strong organic links.

Was half hoping your brothers cousins neighbour was a sports editor there or something

[AussieDave]

it is naive to think that you can rank high in competitive niches without any link building

Sorry but I disagree.

FYI... been doing this for 22 years.

In 2007 I commenced hitting the Aussie Market. By 2010 I had 50 sites. I didn't purchase any links, but managed thru high quality content, and other on page factors, to obtain page one (1) listings,for most searched AU pokie terms.

Oh and I no longer target AU since Aug 2017... When it became illegal for me to do so.

In most instances, I held spot 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8 and 9. I never quite made it to having the entire Google page one, filled with all my sites That success continues right up to 2012, when the WP hacker commenced massive scrapings and what not. Point is though, I believe it is achievable because I have done it!

At one point I was doing the SEO for Fortune Lounge Group. So I'm definitely no smuck.

If one wants to compete these days with keywords such as 'online casino' and similar, then good luck with that.

Think outside the box is my best advice. And, don't believe everything these SEO sites tell you, they're in game of making money from their advise - it puts visitors on their pages... etc., etc. Their advise is aimed at mainstream, not igaming... Just remember that!

[pokeraussie]

If one wants to compete these days with keywords such as 'online casino' and similar, then good luck with that.

That's his point mate, you can't compete for competitive keywords without links.

[betteri]

Thank you guys, highly appreciate the feedback and conversation! Espcially Hristo who wrote such a thorough reply, thanks a lot.

So in case I wasn't being clear in my first post, I wasn't questioning if it's smart to buy backlinks at all... I was just wondering if I should buy backlink from:
1. Small to medium-sized sites, mostly smallish eMagazines or even some hobby sites that has gotten some readers over the years. Somewhat relevant to the subject of my site or easily implemented. With my budget I can afford like 1-3 guest post per month. Naturally better SEO metrics than my site but not anything too special.
2. Very large site that kicks option 1's ass so bad in terms of every SEO metric there is. Nothing to do with my subject, no possibility for guest posts or anything more organic like that, just a do-follow logo link in next to several other logos. Btw it's a US site and I'm not operating in English-speaking geo.

I've kinda decided to go with option 1. I'm just thinking if Google can be so stupid it'd value a link that's so clearly bought. In my market the number #1 site has got this link. I just want to believe it's better strategy for me to go with more organic-looking links. Also then I can build backlink profile steadily instead of having a huge site as my first backlink.

If one wants to compete these days with keywords such as 'online casino' and similar, then good luck with that.

Mate, I appreciate your answer but like pokeraussie said, I don't understand why you write how it's possible and then state it's not possible. With respect to your expertise, it's not 2007 or 2017 anymore. But wow those rankings, insane stuff!