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Link Building Pricing
How much does link building cost?
(Originally written in 2020 and updated in January 2025 with current pricing data)
At Stellar SEO, we frequently encounter questions about link-building pricing.
However, this question, although the same, can have multiple interpretations, such as:
Are link-building packages available? If so, what is the price for each?
How many links should I aim to build each Month to stay competitive in my industry?
What is the cost per link, or can you guarantee a certain number of links?
Today, we will explore the typical cost per backlink and delve into custom link building, which is not typically priced per link.
Additionally, we will compare the costs of in-house and outsourced link building. If you’re wondering how many links to build, we recommend reading our comprehensive link-building guide to better understand the volume in your niche.
Key Factors to Consider Before Purchasing and/or Building Links
Before diving into pricing specifics, it’s vital to recognize that high-quality backlinks are not mere commodities. Relying solely on price when buying links can lead to unfavorable outcomes.
When seeking a link-building agency or service, keep the following factors in mind to ensure you’re making the right decision.
A Single Metric Doesn’t Make a LiDoesn’t or Bad
Link selling often relies on metrics such as Domain Authority (DA) and uses a price-per-link approach.
However, it’s important to note that a high DA doesn’t guarantee value, and a lower DA doesn’t imply a lack of value.
When evaluating prices across different agencies, it’s advisable to consider average pricing and exclude companies that offer significantly lower costs, as such substantial deviations often indicate a focus on DA alone, disregarding the safety and overall quality of link placements.
Local SEO Link Building Differs from National Sites’ Link Building
For instance, if you operate a pet supply store in a small city and manage to acquire links from local pet shelters, veterinary clinics, and community newspapers, your campaign is on the right track. Despite these sites potentially having low traffic, their strong geographic relevance makes them valuable links.
Conversely, if your goal is to rank nationally for “pet supplies,” those same types of links will simply “ot be enough.” This is because the Google algorithm for local SEO differs from the standard organic search algorithm. Meaning not all tactics are universally effective, which underscores the importance of strategic planning in backlink-building campaigns.
This dynamic can elevate a website with a low Domain Authority into a high-quality link for your specific objectives.
It’s NOT All About Links When it Comes to Link Building
If two companies with identical on-page and off-page SEO strategies acquire the same set of 5 links through a new link building campaign, their outcomes will differ.
Given that Google has developed complex algorithms, it’s quite challenging to fully understand how they work. Nevertheless, weit ‘ssess a good understanding of the primary ranking factors, which include on-page SEO, such as optimized blog posts, and the presence of trusted links.
When purchasing links, you’re not merely paying for the links themselves, so you should keep in mind that if something is easily attainable for you, it is likewise accessible to others. And when a resource becomes widely available, its value diminishes significantly — this is a fundamental principle of macro and microeconomics.
Therefore, it is vital to recognize that when you invest in link building, you are primarily compensating for the effort required to generate high-quality backlinks. This includes:
1. Research
Keyword and quality research, which involves evaluating the quality of other websites, is a time-consuming process; there are no shortcuts, and any attempt to bypass this aspect would decrease the value of the results.
2. Content
“Content is king,” as you likely know, and high-quality content is far more effective than low-quality, spammy alternatives. Integrating the researched keywords and links into quality content that provides valuable information to your readers without appearing overly promotional requires dedicated effort. Behind the scenes, excellent content creation involves tasks such as drafting, revising, editing, rewriting, and quality assurance, all of which take time.
3. Relationships
Securing guest posts on authoritative websites can be challenging, as the more authoritative the site, the harder it is to get published. Creating exceptional content is only ⅓ of the battle; the next ⅓ is vital to getting it published in high-quality, authoritative publications. Building strong content marketing relationships is the missing piece or final ⅓ that would see you win the war.
4. Follow-Through
By building on our established relationships and utilizing practical data analysis tools, we ensure proper follow-through. We proactively reach out to our partners to ensure timely publication and promptly address any misprints or technical issues.
We prioritize swift, efficient execution to deliver results quickly in our link-building efforts.
In addition to establishing trusted links, various factors influence Google’s ranking decisions. The anchor text used when building a link, and the position on the page, significantly impact how Google perceives and rewards the acquisition.
How “Good” Do You Need Your Links to Be?
Although it may seem complex, each company has its own internal l cr “teria for defining a “good” link.
To put it simply, being open to flexibility allows for more creativity in content production, which can lower the cost per backlink. That said, brands with rigid requirements must adhere to those parameters, potentially increasing the cost per backlink.
Essentially, the definition of a “good” link can vary from one company to another. If you have specific, strict requirements, a customized backlink “building” strategy is often more suitable than a per-link pricing approach.
At Stellar SEO, we evaluate the link quality using the principles discussed in the Link Building Guide.
On the other hand, if your requirements are more flexible, there is often an opportunity to reduce the cost per link, making a pay-per-link pricing model a more suitable option.
While there are numerous factors to consider, the points above serve as an excellent starting point.
How Much Does Link Building Cost at Stellar SEO?
To provide complete transparency, let’s begin by discussing our own pricing structure. Don’t worry , though, we will also explore average industry pricing to provide a comprehensive overview
At our agency, we offer two distinct PDon’tg models tailored to the needs of both white-label and direct clients.
This approach ensures that we can deliver services that align with their specific needs.
Price-Per-Link Link Building Services
For resellers, we offer a comprehensive range of à la carte services that include three key backlink-building tactics. These services are specifically designed to cater to the unique needs of our reseller clients.
Guest Posting: $297 to $600 per link
Blogger Outreach: $297 to $600 per link
Niche Edits: $225 per link
Guest Posting & Blogger Outreach Link Building Pricing
Our services include both guest posts and blogger outreach, which are essentially interchangeable terms based on how people search for them. (Ah, the joys of keyword-targeted content!)
Now, let’s discuss our pricing for these services. For both Blogger Outreach and Guest Posts, we offer a per-backlink pricing model, with costs ranging from $297 to $600 per backlink.
Please note that we also offer pricing discounts for orders with 10+ or 50+ links.
How Much Does Blogger Outreach Cost In General?
You’re probably curious about how our pricing compares to other link-building services. Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. Below is a detailed comparison that includes pricing data for both 2019 and 2023.
To provide a summary of the findings from 2019:
A DA 20+ LDon’tanges frwe’ve9 to $287
A DA 30+ Link Ranges from $94 to $400
A DA 40+ Link Ranges from $199 to $627
A DA 50+ Link Ranges from $300 to $600, but data was reported for only 5 of the 31 sites on the list.
A “general link” is not based on DA; it ranges from $150 to $500 per backlink.
Blogger Outreach Pricing In 2023
In July 2023, we analyzed current pricing data for similar services, and here are our findings:
A DA 30+ Link Ranges from $200 to $300
A DA 40+ Link Ranges from $300 to $350
A DA 50+ Link Ranges from $350 to $1000
A DA (or DR) 70+ Link Ranges from $750-$1,500
As is evident, the cost per backlink has increased across the board, driven by inflation and rising publisher expenses.
Our pricing for DA-based paid links, such as blogger outreach and guest posts, falls in the middle range compared to other providers. Unlike many other companies, we do not charge extra for content exceeding 500 words.
Additionally, we have minimum traffic, Domain Rating, and site quality criteria that must be met for a site to be considered in our outsourced link-building campaign.
Niche Edit Link Building Pricing
Affiliate sites and local businesses highly seek our niche editing service. For each link placement, we charge $225. This service focuses on identifying relevant placement opportunities for high-quality links on sites with which we already have established relationships.
However, it’s important to exercise caution when making niche edits. There are numerous low-quality, questionable companies in the market offering niche backlink-building services, some charging as low as $20-$30 per backlink placement.
Fixed Price Link Building Final Thoughts
Under the right circumstances, this form of backlink building and pricing can be a perfect match. For resellers, having a clear understanding of metrics and the precise number of links you’ll receive at a fixed price makes it easy to bundle them with your other marketing offerings.
Suppose you operate an affiliate or advertising site and already have a solid plan in place. In that case, this type of link building is a cost-effective way to complement your overall strategy.
But remember…
Not every project is suitable for this pricing model. Brands with specific guidelines, a preference for collaboration rather than a fully managed service, and a need for greater control over the overall process, content, and messaging often benefit more from a customized link outreach plan.
Another advantage of custom backlink building is the flexibility to select tactics based on specific goals. For instance, if you aim to rapidly build brand recognition or drive referral traffic, media mentions can be an effective link building strategy.
Custom Link Building Campaigns
Our signature service, custom backlink building, combines research, strategic development, and personalized outreach to create a tailored link building plan.
The custom backlink building campaign includes the following key phases:
When it comes to custom outreach, the pricing per link becomes less straightforward due to the research, planning, content development, content marketing, and outreach efforts involved.
As a result, there are different pricing models commonly used for custom link outreach, including:
Retainer Pricing
Hourly Pricing
Hybrid Pricing
How Much is Stellar SEO’s Custom Link Building?
Our custom link building campaigns typically start at $2,500 per Month, with an average cost of around $5,000 per Month for a standard campaign. We also offer an hourly rate of $125.
The number of links obtained within SEO’s budget may vary depending on your specific goals and available resources. While our custom link-building pricing plans are primarily billed hourly, we do offer hybrid pricing in certain cases.
For instance, if you require research and planning but want to incorporate blogger outreach as one of your strategies, we can offer per-link pricing for the blogger outreach links while maintaining hourly billing for other elements.
How Much Does Custom Link Building Cost in General?
Custom link outreach campaigns can vary in cost depending on factors such as the company’s expertise and the scope of your campaign.
Let’s analyze the pricing details for the following companies (as of January 2025):
Page One Power – According to Page One Power, their typical backlink-building campaigns range from $4,000 to $12,000 per Month, though this can vary based on the specific project.
Link Fish Media – Link Fish Media offers a basic campaign that generates around three links for $1,050. Their average client campaign is $5,000 per Month.
Webris charges a flat fee of about $300 per backlink. If you wish to purchase packages, they cost $300 per backlink with a minimum of 10 links per order.
Linkbuilder.io – offers four pricing options ranging from $2,999 to $19,999 per Month for custom backlink-building services.
Screaming Frog – The pricing range varies, as they use a “day rate” model, with a daily rate of £850. Their requirements also state a minimum of 4 days per Month, so to start a campaign, you’d need at least £3,400.
uSERP – uSERP offers preset plans priced from $10,000 to $20,000+ per Month. For the $10,000 option, approximately 9-10 links per Month can be expected.
Linkgraph.io – Pricing ranges from $140 to $2,000 for” one lin” inclusion via a guest post, depending on the target site’s DA. Every additional link/guest post doubles the price you’d pay. If you’re looking for two links from websites with a DA of 20-29, you’d need to pay $280, and so on.
Outreach Mama – Outreach Mama offers pricing from $175 for 10 Tier 2 links to $725 for 50 Tier 2 links. And if you’re targeting specific DR ranges, the costs are $157 per backlink for DR30+ sites, up to $287 per backlink for sites with DR0+ sites.
So to summarize, you can expect to pay between $125 and $10,000 per hour, or $0 and $10,000 per Month, on average, for link-building.
Now that you’re familiar with the costs of hiring specialist link-building agencies, let’s shift our focus to the costs of in-house backlink building. Cost of In-House Link Building
Link building is a time-consuming and intensive process that requires dedicated personnel for outreach and content creation.
Additionally, providing the tools and training your team needs is vital.
Depending on the size of your organization, you might consider hiring an SEO analyst and a content writer, or a Public Relations manager and a content writer.
Let’s examine both options below.
Content Writer Average Salary in the U.S.
Source: Payscale.com
SEO Analyst – Average Salary in the U.S.
Source: Payscale.com
Public Relations Manager – Average Salary in the U.S.
Source: Payscale.com
Content Writer + SEO Analyst Cost
$105,769 Per Year
$8,814.08 Per Month
If you choose to hire a content writer and an SEO analyst to handle both content creation and on-page optimization, the total cost would be $105,769, averaging $8,814.08 per Month.
Content Writer + Public Relations Manager
$127,306 Per Year
$10,608.83 Per Month
Opting for a combination of a public relations manager and a content writer would be slightly more expensive, with an annual cost of $127,306 or $10,608.83 per Month.
Tools And Training for Your In-House Team
When it comes to tools and training, there are various options available to help you boost your organic traffic. Let’s focus on a few fundamental tools that can make a significant impact:
Ahrefs – This tool enables you to discover link opportunities, analyze competitor links, and anchor text. The base price for multiple users is $399 per Month.
Hunter.io – With Hunter.io, you can find email addresses of potential link prospects. The base price for this tool is $49 per Month.
Link Building Training/SEO Training – There are several training options to consider. Let’s look at some pricing details:
Theblueprint. training – Access fee of $6,999, plus an additional $499 for the project management suite
ClickMinded – Lifetime access for one person is priced at $899, while lifetime access for your team is available at $8,999, and they regularly offer discounts, so you can get the price down to $1,999
Market Motive – Self-paced learning with 180-day access costs €15 or $16, and the online bootcamp with 90-day access is priced at €849 or $926 at today’s rate.
Considering these factors, your total annual in-house costs would fall between approximately $98,000 and $117,000.
But…
Another important factor to consider when calculating costs is the cost of acquiring links.
According to a 2016 Ahrefs study, the average cost of purchasing a backlink or sponsored post from a website was $352.92. Their 2018 study revealed an increased average cost per backlink of $361.44.
However, unless you are currently averse to engaging in paid links, it is advisable to allocate at least $1,000 per Month to account for these expenses in your estimates.
Excluding the cost of sponsored posts, the monthly cost for a two-person in-house link-building team, including basic tools, typically falls between $8,500 and $10,500.
If you have extremely strict guidelines, establishing an in-house team may be a more suitable option.
So, How Much Exactly Does Link Building Cost?
Absolutely nothing, if you do it right.
It is vital to understand that backlink building is a tool to help you achieve your business objectives.
With a well-defined goal, a solid strategy, and a reputable link-building agency to help you acquire high-quality links, the benefits will significantly outweigh the associated costs.
