Last Updated on May 21, 2025 by Becky Halls
Need backlinks but don’t fancy cold-emailing a thousand webmasters while sobbing into your keyboard? You’re not alone. That’s where a backlinks provider comes in. They’re like the Deliveroo of SEO: links, to your site, without the faff.
But here’s the kicker: not all backlink providers are created the same. Some are reputable experts. Others… well, let’s just say if their homepage has neon fonts and 3000 backlinks for $29.99, run.
This guide will help you spot the difference between a legit provider and a link farm with a spammy side hustle.
What Is a Backlinks Provider?
A backlinks provider is a company, agency, or platform that helps you get backlinks from other websites. These can be:
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Guest post placements
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Directory listings
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Niche edits (aka contextual links)
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Link insertions
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Outreach on your behalf
Some do all of the above. Some just blast your link into the void. Guess which ones you want to avoid?
Why Use a Backlinks Provider?
If you’re thinking:
“Can’t I just build links myself?”
Sure, you can. But it takes:
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Time
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Tools
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Patience
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Thick skin for rejection emails
A solid backlinks provider:
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Saves you time
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Uses their existing relationships
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Can scale outreach faster
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Knows what Google actually likes (or more importantly, dislikes)
That said, using a bad one can be worse than doing nothing at all. Google has no chill when it comes to sketchy link-building tactics.
What Makes a Backlinks Provider Actually Worth Using?
Look for these green flags:
1. Relevance
Do they offer links from relevant sites in your niche? A backlink from “HamsterFashionBlog.com” won’t help your B2B SaaS ranking.
2. Domain Authority (But Realistically)
High DA isn’t everything, but it helps. Still, context trumps numbers. A DA 35 blog in your niche is more valuable than a DA 80 wallpaper site.
3. Organic Traffic
Is the linking site getting real visitors? Use Ahrefs, Semrush, or even SimilarWeb. If traffic = 0, avoid.
4. Transparency
They should tell you:
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What type of links you’re getting
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Where they’re coming from
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How they’re built
5. White Hat Practices
White hat SEO means no shady schemes. No link wheels. No “trust us bro” spreadsheets full of PBNs.
6. Real Support
Got questions? A decent provider has people (not bots) who can help you.
Red Flags That Scream “Run”
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1000 backlinks for £10 (suspiciously good deal = suspicious, full stop)
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Promises of “instant ranking boost”
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Links from irrelevant or spammy sites
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Poor English on their website
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No portfolio, no testimonials, no case studies
If their website looks like it time-travelled from 2004, you probably shouldn’t trust them with your rankings.
How 3way.social Fits In
At 3way.social, we’re not your average backlinks provider. We’re a matchmaker for ethical link-building:
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Choose your own link partners
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Use our AI to suggest relevant domains
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Run link exchanges that actually make sense (and are approved by Google’s terms)
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Track link placements in a dashboard (not on a napkin)
No shady sellers. No spammy spreadsheets. Just a smart way to build real authority.
Tools to Vet a Backlinks Provider
Before you buy:
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Ahrefs – Check referring domains, DR, spam score
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Semrush – Look at organic traffic and keyword trends
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Spamzilla / Moz – Spot toxic domains
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3way.social’s dashboard – Track and monitor your exchange partners
Final Thought: Get Links That Make You Proud
A good backlinks provider should feel like a partner, not a gamble. If you’re paying real money, you deserve real results, not a manual penalty and a panic attack.
Choose providers who build relationships, not just link counts. Or better yet, get started with a platform like 3way.social where you’re in control and know exactly who you’re linking with.
Backlinks are an investment. Make sure you’re not buying SEO lottery tickets from a guy in an alley.
FAQ: Backlinks Providers
What is a backlinks provider?
A backlinks provider is a service that helps you get inbound links to your website—ideally from relevant, high-quality sources.
Are backlinks providers safe to use?
Only if they use white-hat methods and offer transparency. Always check for relevance, site quality, and spam risk.
How much should backlinks cost?
It depends on quality. Guest posts and niche edits from real sites usually range from £50–£300+. Be wary of bargain basement bundles.
Can backlinks providers guarantee rankings?
No legit provider can guarantee rankings. SEO is influenced by many factors—not just links.
What’s the difference between a backlink agency and a provider?
A provider may sell individual links or placements. An agency typically offers strategic planning, audits, and full-service link building.
