You need backlinks to rank higher on Google. But most link building services either charge massive retainers for mediocre results or deliver spam that hurts your site.

Here's the problem: Finding quality backlinks shouldn't cost $10,000 per month or take 6 months to see results.

We tested 7 link building services based on what actually matters: link quality, pricing transparency, and how fast you get results.

Here's what we found — including the one service that lets you pay only when you get a real backlink.

1. LinkDR — Pay Only for Links That Get Placed

Website: linkdr.com

Best for: Anyone who wants quality backlinks without the agency markup

Pricing: $100 per successful backlink (no monthly fees)

Average DR: 45–70

Turnaround Time: 2–4 weeks

How it works:

LinkDR's AI finds relevant websites, reaches out to site owners, and negotiates link placements. You only pay when a link actually gets placed on a real website.

No retainers. No setup fees. No paying for "outreach attempts."

Why this works:

✅ You pay for results, not promises

✅ AI handles the tedious outreach work

✅ Links come from real websites with actual traffic

✅ If a link gets removed, they replace it free

What to watch out for:

⚠️ Less control over exact anchor text

⚠️ Requires adding credits to your account upfront

👉 Start getting backlinks →

2. Editorial.Link — Premium Publication Placements

Website: editorial.link

Best for: Brands that need links from Forbes, TechCrunch, and similar publications

Pricing: $1,750+ per campaign

Average DR: 50–80+

Turnaround Time: 6–12 weeks

How it works:

Editorial.Link manually pitches your content to journalists and editors at major publications. When they succeed, you get editorial mentions and backlinks.

Why this works:

✅ Real editorial coverage (not paid placements)

✅ Links from publications people actually read

✅ Transparent reporting on outreach efforts

What to watch out for:

⚠️ Expensive minimum investment

⚠️ Long wait times for premium placements

3. Insert.Link — Buy Links Directly from Website Owners

Website: insert.link

Best for: SEO experts who want to handpick their backlinks

Pricing: Starts at $10 per link

Average DR: Varies (you choose)

Turnaround Time: 1–2 weeks

How it works:

Browse a marketplace of websites offering link insertions. Pick the sites you want, pay the price, and get your link added to existing content.

Why this works:

✅ Fast link placement

✅ Full control over link selection

✅ Transparent pricing upfront

What to watch out for:

⚠️ You need to vet link quality yourself

⚠️ Some low-quality sites in the marketplace

4. Siege Media — Content That Earns Links Naturally

Website: siegemedia.com

Best for: Companies investing heavily in content marketing

Pricing: Custom (high-end)

Average DR: 50–90+ (earned naturally)

Turnaround Time: 3–6+ months

How it works:

Siege Media creates content assets designed to attract backlinks naturally, then promotes them through PR and outreach.

Why this works:

✅ Links come from genuine editorial interest

✅ Content + link building strategy combined

✅ Trusted by major brands

What to watch out for:

⚠️ High cost of entry

⚠️ Slow results if you need links quickly

5. NP Digital — Full-Service SEO with Link Building

Website: npdigital.com

Best for: Large companies needing comprehensive SEO services

Pricing: Custom (premium)

Average DR: High-authority focus

Turnaround Time: 6–12 month campaigns

How it works:

Neil Patel's agency includes link building as part of broader SEO campaigns. Link building isn't sold separately.

Why this works:

✅ Holistic SEO approach

✅ Advanced reporting and analytics

✅ Established agency reputation

What to watch out for:

⚠️ Very expensive

⚠️ Link building is just one piece of larger package

6. BlueTree Digital — High-Authority Tech Publications

Website: bluetree.ai

Best for: SaaS and tech companies targeting industry publications

Pricing: $2,500–$6,500 per month

Average DR: 60–90+

Turnaround Time: Monthly deliveries

How it works:

BlueTree specializes in getting coverage on tech blogs, SaaS publications, and business outlets through manual outreach.

Why this works:

✅ Consistent monthly link delivery

✅ Real editorial mentions, not paid placements

✅ Focus on high-authority tech sites

What to watch out for:

⚠️ Monthly retainer required

⚠️ Limited to tech/SaaS niches

7. uSERP — Enterprise-Level Link Building

Website: userp.io

Best for: Large companies with big SEO budgets

Pricing: $10,000+/month

Average DR: 60–90+

Turnaround Time: Monthly campaigns

How it works:

uSERP combines manual outreach, digital PR, and link building to secure placements on top-tier websites.

Why this works:

✅ Extremely high-authority links

✅ SEO consulting included

✅ Enterprise-grade reporting

What to watch out for:

⚠️ Cost-prohibitive for most businesses

⚠️ Requires large monthly commitment

Quick Comparison: What You Actually Pay

Stop Paying for Promises. Pay for Results.

Here's what most link building services won't tell you: You're paying for their time, not your results.

They charge $5,000+ per month whether you get 5 links or 50 links. Whether those links help your rankings or not.

LinkDR works differently. You pay $100 only when a quality backlink gets placed on a real website. No monthly fees. No paying for "outreach attempts."

👉 See how it works →