Amsterdam, the Netherlands
Did you ever consider asking or paying for backlinks?
Buyer beware.
Ask-er beware.
Investing money or asking for a favor both seem like easy ways to land backlinks.
But easy links are generally crappy links.
Everyone would buy or ask for backlinks if both strategies yielded:
- high quality backlinks
- organic traffic
- blogging income
Think it through. The secret would be out. Every blogger – especially those in the game for 17 years like me – would have figured this one out a long time ago. I certainly am not that dumb. I would have become successful by doing the easy thing of buying and asking for links to slowly but surely thrive.
Look at the blogging world.
Do top bloggers become successful by asking for favors or by purchasing success with money?
Nope.
Frankly, a blogger would need to be foolish to link to low quality sites just because someone paid a few bucks or begged for a favor. Why? Sooner than later, their blog would lose all credibility, actual human traffic and they’d run it into the ground.
Picture this Scenario
Imagine someone asks me to link to their blog.
I know them not. But I feel bad for them. Why not do them a favor?
I link to their blog. One reader clicks on their backlink to see a low quality blog. The reader instantly perceives me and Blogging From Paradise Dot Com in a less than credible light. I immediately damage my reputation a little bit because I did a struggling blogger a favor.
Picture someone offering me $75 USD to link to a blog. 75 clams sounds good; I can purchase quite a few Stroop Wafels in my current location of Amsterdam with 75 bills. I accept the money. I link to the blog. Readers who click the backlink figure out fast that I accepted money for the link because said link was of a trash quality. Readers deem me as being less than credible. Some stop following my blog.
In both cases, I sold out my career for:
- a favor
- $75 USD
Would I not be an asshole to put my credibility on the line for a favor or a few bucks?
Backlinks need to come from somewhere. That somewhere is a low quality blog or a blog falling apart for all of the horrible links placed based on:
- favors
- financial payments
Let this idea sink in.
You will never fall prey to either strategy again.
Do you see why both schemes are in reality quite ridiculous?
Knock yourself out. Go the ridiculous route if you wish. But never complain to me; I did warn you and have warned you about both schemes since I created this blog.
Consider these ideas before buying or asking for backlinks.
Ask
Bloggers – or outreach specialists – ask for backlinks sometimes.
Some individuals beg for backlinks. Others engage in schemes based on asking for a trade. Imagine a “let’s make a deal” scenario.
Asking for backlinks seems common. Bloggers usually believe that it cannot hurt to ask for backlinks.
In truth, it does hurt because asking proves your lack of organic links and hence, a lack of credibility.
Pay
Bloggers pay money for backlinks.
I Googled “how to get backlinks” a few moments ago. Advertisements for buying backlinks appeared as the first 2 results as of the publish date for this post.
Dollar amounts range anywhere from $5 USD on up…..most of the time. I have seen bloggers charge $1 USD to hundreds of dollars for backlinks.
Yes
Asking for backlinks is realistic in one scenario.
Imagine yourself building a rock solid bond with a successful blogger. After helping them with no expectations for a while, you get up the gumption to ask the individual for a backlink. In rare cases, the pro links to your blog. But this almost never happens because successful bloggers typically offer organic backlinks.
No
Buying backlinks is a slippery slope.
How did the broker acquire the backlink opportunity? What bloggers sold blog space for $1, $5 or $100? Think that one through. Consider high quality backlinks. Successful bloggers alone offer in-demand links because pros run in-demand blogs. Would a seasoned professional sell out for $100? Does it seem worth putting your livelihood, brand and online business on the line for 100 bucks?
Of course, the answer is a resounding “NO!”
Based on this logic, only lesser bloggers sell backlink space. Do you want to pay money for a low quality backlink?
No.
Should you pay money for a low quality link?
No.
Asking for links from anyone other than trusted blogging buddies you patiently built bonds with is a mistake. Never do it. Strangers who ask for links only land backlinks from fellow struggling bloggers. No reputable blogger links to strangers. You’d be foolish to put your credibility on the line for a stranger.
Bloggers who struggle to gain quality, organic backlinks based on their merit turn to asking for links from strangers. I see this as a massive red flag; asking for links proves that your blog is not worth linking to organically. The moment you ask it reveals that you’ve already lost.
Gain Organic Backlinks for the Sure Thing
Quality backlinks are earned.
Successful bloggers patiently publish detailed, targeted content. Thorough, credible content drives passive, organic backlinks for bloggers like an asset. In-depth, practical posts build respected links based on the quality of the content itself. No asks or financial payments enter into the equation. The dazzling content convinces successful bloggers to link to it. The content speaks for itself.
Be consistent. Full-time bloggers scan the full body of work before doling out respected backlinks. Publish thorough content frequently to impress high level bloggers. Write at least one post weekly to remain relevant. Never fall asleep at the blogging wheel. Pros need to see that you are on the blogging ball.
Practical Tips
- publish 1200 plus words per post
- add practical tips to walk readers from problem to solution
- format posts for easy reading and scanning
- cover one niche to establish your expertise
How It Works
Excellent content influences respected bloggers to link to it based on the quality of the content alone.
This is how to drive backlinks passively.
This is also how to get the highest quality backlinks.
Professionals need to see dazzling content to drop a backlink to the content. Money, favors or asks have zero influence on reputable bloggers because no sane pro puts their rep on the line for a few bucks, favors or an ask.
Backlinks Become Part of the Content
Content determines your blogging career.
Successful bloggers link only to the highest quality content because pros only publish the highest quality content.
Quality means everything to high level bloggers. Paying money or begging them does not earn their trust. In reality, employing both strategies loses their trust.
Remember that to double down on creating quality content to gain quality backlinks.
Conclusion
Both strategies seem unrealistic.
Create helpful content consistently.
Gain backlinks organically.
Add a strong passive element to your blogging strategy.
