Do Backlinks in Your Niche Really Not Matter?
Lately, I’ve been focused on increasing the backlinks for my website through networking, purchasing, and various other methods. To explore potential options, I reached out to several SEO companies within my niche—CBD—to inquire about purchasing backlinks and their pricing for backlink acquisition. I also wanted to see if they offered opportunities for guest blogging.
During one of the calls, I received some surprising information. The representative claimed that backlinks in your relevant niche don’t truly matter, which left me baffled. While I’m not an SEO expert, my understanding has always been that relevant backlinks significantly boost your website’s authority. This is part of why I’ve been working on creating topical content through my blog and considering guest posts on related websites. Are these strategies actually unrelated?
Additionally, I was quoted a staggering $4,000 per month for a package of 200-300 backlinks, with the catch being that I wouldn’t know the specific websites where the links would be placed until after I’d paid. Is this a common practice in the SEO industry? There’s no way I would feel comfortable paying such a high amount without access to information regarding the sites, their traffic, and domain authority first.
As someone who has only been dabbling in SEO for the last two years, this experience was eye-opening. By the way, I was speaking with a company called OneDigital—should I remove their name from my post?
One response to “Do backlinks in your relevant niche not matter?”
It sounds like you’re navigating a challenging landscape with SEO and backlinks, especially in a niche like CBD. Here are some thoughts on the points you raised:
Backlinks and Relevance: Generally, backlinks from relevant sites in your niche can significantly boost your SEO. Search engines like Google reward websites for having backlinks from authoritative sources that are contextually related to their content. This relevance often translates to better rankings. The claim that backlinks in your niche don’t matter seems unusual, as it goes against the fundamental principles of SEO.
Quality vs. Quantity: It’s essential to focus on the quality of backlinks rather than just the quantity. A few backlinks from high-authority, relevant websites can be much more beneficial than hundreds of spammy links. Guest blogging and building relationships in your niche are great strategies for acquiring high-quality backlinks.
Pricing and Transparency: The $4,000 per month for 200-300 backlinks, especially with the lack of transparency regarding the sites where the links would be placed, does raise red flags. Reputable SEO companies typically provide detailed reports on their link-building activities, including the sites they target, their traffic, and Domain Authority. It’s essential to perform due diligence before committing to any service at that price point.
Skepticism Towards SEO Companies: The SEO industry can be tricky, and unfortunately, some companies might push services that aren’t ethical or effective. Trust your instincts; if something seems off, it’s worth exploring other options. Many successful marketers also use a combination of strategies like content marketing, networking, and organic outreach rather than only focusing on purchased backlinks.
Consider Learning More: Since you’re still learning about SEO, I would recommend investing your time in understanding best practices. There are plenty of free resources, courses, and communities where you can learn more about effective SEO strategies tailored to your niche.
Overall, it’s good that you’re questioning the advice you’ve received. Keep researching and connecting with reputable sources, and you’ll be better positioned to make informed decisions about your SEO strategy. If you’re unsure about naming the company, it’s usually safer to err on the side of caution, especially if your experience wasn’t positive. Good luck with your SEO efforts!