Backlinks – Traditional SEO tool, but are they still effective?
Backlinks have always been the “key” to increasing website rankings on Google. But in the context of increasingly developed algorithms, the question is: In 2025, is buying backlinks the right choice for SEO optimization, or is it just an ineffective way to “burn money”?
This article will help you understand the risks when buying backlinks and guide you on how to do SEO correctly, safely and effectively in the long run. If you have ever wondered: “Are backlinks still important?” or “What is the effective way to buy backlinks?” – read on below!
What are backlinks?
Backlinks are links returned from blogs, forums, social networks, other websites to your website. SEO Backlinks are considered one of the top priorities when evaluating search engine rankings. In the SEO industry, buying backlinks is considered the fastest way to create backlinks. Just pay a certain fee, you will receive text links placed in special positions on the supplier’s website. Such as the sidebar, footer or in the content of the article. However, the story behind buying backlinks is not as beautiful as you think.
Customers often seek backlink sales services when they want to quickly increase their keyword rankings on Google. Suppliers will meet the needs of customers. The seller will provide text links placed throughout the page (“sitewide”), especially in locations that are of interest to Google.
The process is simple: the customer contacts the supplier, the text link will be placed on the website in a short time. And after the customer checks, they pay the fee.
Buy backlinks is a quick solution to help increase the number of backlinks in a short time, often giving the feeling of “SEO attack” to quickly climb to the top.
But where is the downside?
Google does not encourage buying and selling backlinks. In fact, trading backlinks are often placed on websites that are not related to the main content, or are of low quality. As a result, your website can be detected by Google and demoted, or even completely removed from search results.
Are Backlinks Still Important in 2025?
When talking about SEO, backlinks are always a hot topic. However, with the constant changes in Google’s algorithm, the question is: Do backlinks still play an important role in website rankings, or have they become obsolete in the face of new factors? To answer this question, we need to analyze two aspects: the importance of backlinks and how Google is treating them in the current search environment.
Backlinks – An irreplaceable element in SEO
No matter what SEO strategy you use, backlinks are one of the three most important Google ranking factors. Backlinks help improve rankings and build trust (E-A-T) for the website.
For example, a website with many backlinks from reputable websites like Forbes or TechCrunch will be ranked higher than a website with no links.
Google is getting smarter
However, Google’s algorithm has become much smarter. Updates like Penguin or Helpful Content not only ignore low-quality backlinks but can also penalize websites for unnatural links. What does this mean? If you only focus on buying backlinks without building a sustainable SEO strategy, you are “planting a bomb” for your website.
Risks when buying backlinks: The price you have to pay if you do it wrong
The cost per backlink typically ranges from $180 to $380, with an average price of around $280 per link. (We – Jeenam also offer attractive discounts for bulk orders). However, buying backlinks brings quick benefits but also has great potential risks if not done properly. To avoid “losing money and getting sick”, you need to understand the risks and signs.
Google is not “easy” with paid backlinks
Google strictly prohibits any manipulation of rankings with paid backlinks. This regulation is clearly stated in the Webmaster Guidelines. When investing in backlinks without understanding the risks, you may encounter the following serious risks:
Manual Action: Google has a team of experts monitoring. If paid backlinks are detected, your website may be severely downgraded or even removed from search results.
Disabled backlinks: Google uses AI and algorithms to automatically identify unnatural backlinks. If you buy backlinks from unreliable sources, Google may completely ignore their value. As a result, you lose money without receiving any benefits.
Loss of brand reputation: Backlinks from spam websites or irrelevant content will make users and Google rate your website low.
Avoid investing in low quality backlinks
Signs that cause backlinks to be penalized
To avoid penalties from Google, you need to recognize the signs that your backlinks are in the “danger zone”:
Repetitive and unnatural anchor text: When all backlinks use the same exact match keywords, Google will recognize the abnormality.
Link sources from unrelated websites: For example, a fashion website receives backlinks from a cooking blog. This inconsistency will be a sign for Google to be suspicious.
Unusual backlink growth rate: A newly established website that gains hundreds of backlinks in a few weeks is clearly “attracting attention” to Google.
Why do many businesses still choose to buy backlinks?
Are you also wondering why buying backlinks has so many risks but businesses still look for backlink services? We will answer right away!
Fast Results, Save Time
There’s no denying that buying backlinks delivers surprisingly fast results. Instead of spending 6-12 months building a natural link system, you can spend money and see an improvement in your rankings within 1-2 months.
But the big question is: Is this “speed” really worth it when Google’s algorithms are getting smarter? And a penalty from Google can make your website lose all its advantages, even be removed from the rankings?
👉 Lesson learned: Don’t let short-term gains make you ignore long-term risks. A sustainable strategy will always win the SEO game.
Advantages for New Websites
When you have just launched a website, there is not much content or traffic. Buy backlinks seems like a quick way to “activate” to create attraction. A new website that receives many backlinks helps the website start to receive attention from search engines.
However, backlinks are not a “miracle” that solves all problems. Links are part of the overall strategy. Quality content, optimal website structure, and good user experience are the factors that determine sustainable development. You also don’t rely too much on backlinks. Instead, invest in building a solid foundation of content and real value for users.
How to buy SEO standard backlinks?
So you’ve decided to buy backlinks? Okay! But remember, buying backlinks is not a shortcut to the top of Google. If you do it wrong, you’ll burn down your entire website. So if you do, do it right.
Here are 3 minimal steps to help you achieve your SEO goals while minimizing risks from Google.
Choose a reputable source of backlinks
Not all backlinks are valuable. If you don’t want to throw money out the window, invest in quality sources:
- Guest Post Backlinks: is one of the safest options today. You can control the content of the article, the links are inserted naturally and in context. More importantly, guest posts help you build relationships with reputable websites in the industry.
- Niche Edits: Your links are inserted into published articles on high-authority websites. But be careful! Some providers may sell links from spammy websites, which will leave you exposed if Google finds you.
Diversify Anchor Text
Use the same type of anchor text (like exact match keywords) is like sending an invitation to Google to check your website. Diversify your link profile to look more natural:
- Brand Anchor: For example: “Jeenam Infotech”, “Agency Jeenam” are the safest way to increase brand awareness without worrying about Google penalties.
- Long-tail Anchor: Use anchors like “How to buy SEO-standard backlinks”, “Guide to safe link building”. This type of anchor will be natural and also increase the ability to identify related keywords.
Avoid buying backlinks in bulk
Services like “500 backlinks for only $50” sound appealing, but in reality they are nothing more than a time bomb. Most of these links come from link farms or PBNs, sources that Google especially hates. When discovered, you will lose money and also lose Google’s trust. A website that has been penalized is very difficult to restore its rankings.
Alternative strategies for buying backlinks
Instead of spending money on backlinks, you can apply long-term SEO strategies. SEO strategies help your website bring real value to users and develop sustainably.
Create high-quality content
Content is King – this saying is never out of date in the SEO world. An article that brings real value to users, is carefully researched and well optimized, will naturally attract backlinks from reliable sources. Because users always want to share content they find useful or inspiring. How to do it:
- Create content that solves real problems for customers.
- Focus on in-depth, less competitive topics.
- Combine diverse formats such as videos, infographics, case studies to increase attractiveness.
Build relationships with websites in the same industry
In SEO, relationships are sometimes more important than tools. Turn websites in the same industry into partners instead of competitors.
You can apply:
Guest Post: Write quality articles to post on their website, in return you receive backlinks.
Strategic cooperation: Exchange links or share resources with reputable websites, ensuring mutual benefits. Only cooperate with websites with relevant content and high reliability. If you link to low-quality sites, it will reduce your reputation.
Take advantage of the HARO (Help A Reporter Out) platform
HARO is one of the easiest ways to get quality backlinks without paying any fees. HARO connects you with journalists who need information. When you provide valuable content to them, you will be cited and receive backlinks from major news sites.
Wrap up
If you ask: “Should you buy backlinks?”, the answer is: It depends on your strategy and resources. However, consider carefully.
When to buy: When you know the source of quality backlinks. You have a strategy to control risks and avoid penalties from Google.
When not to buy: When the budget is limited or the source of backlinks is unknown. When you have not optimized the content and structure of the website.
SEO is not a short-term race. Don’t just focus on backlinks and forget the core factor – the value you bring to users. Backlinks are just part of the overall picture. True success lies in building a sustainable strategy, focusing on long-term value. Start by creating quality content. Results will come – when you are persistent and not in a hurry.
