Are PBN Backlinks Still Worth It in 2025? My Thoughts & Observations

Hey everyone,

I keep seeing mixed opinions about PBN backlinks some say they’re dead after every Google update, while others are still ranking sites with them. From what I’ve observed, the reality is somewhere in between.

Here’s what I’ve noticed recently:

• Quality matters more than quantity – Networks built on clean domains with real history and relevant content tend to hold up. Low-quality setups get deindexed or lose value fast.
• Blending strategies works best – PBNs alone can push rankings quickly, but mixing them with other signals like niche edits, citations, or even a handful of guest posts makes the profile look more natural.
• Anchor text control is a big plus – One of the main advantages of PBNs is having flexibility with anchors, but I’ve found over-optimizing can do more harm than good. Keeping anchors varied feels safer.
• Updates hit unevenly – Some networks get wiped, others keep performing. It looks like Google is targeting footprints rather than the entire concept.

I’m curious how others here are approaching PBNs in 2025.

• Are you still using them as a core part of your link-building?
• Do you see them as a short-term boost or part of a long-term strategy?
• What changes have you noticed after the latest updates?

Would love to hear your insights and real-world experiences.

The biggest give away is using them too aggressively with keyword rich anchors mostly.

Search engines don't need be bothered with any footprints.
All they have to do is review link profile of the money sites.
Everything is there, clear as day.
And if it stands out there is trouble.

That's why it's important to make their use look as natural as possible.

With few of our clients link blasts of 50+ PBNs in matter of days.
Results are super unpredictable.

It's better to spread the links between multiple pages over longer time period.

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PBNs still help rankings, but they work best when you use them carefully with good content and natural links.

I’d say they’re still worth considering, but not in the way they were years ago. The days of relying on PBNs alone to rank a mediocre site seem to be fading. From what I’ve seen, they work best when they’re supporting a site that already has strong content, good internal linking, and clear topical relevance.

The biggest mistake is treating them as a shortcut instead of one piece of the puzzle. A well maintained, relevant link can still add value, but throwing more PBN links at a site with underlying issues rarely fixes anything. The tactic itself hasn’t disappeared. It has simply become much more dependent on the overall quality of the site you’re trying to rank.