contact_yeasin
Junior Member
- Nov 9, 2025
- 113
- 35
How can I increase authority and get backlinks? How much does it cost for backlinks (on average)? Are there any free options?
Authority and backlinks
- Thread starter contact_yeasin
- Start date
- Oct 28, 2020
- 11,663
- 14,635
it depends on the type and quality of links, of course! A profile link on a free website might cost you a few cents (if you buy it that is, otherwise it's obviously free), but a niche edit on Cosmopolitan (or other big site) can cost you $30k (yes, I actually did see this price a few years ago, and my jaw dropped too)... So you can't give a price until you mention the type and quality of the link...
the normal authority (ie. NOT topical authority) can be increased exclusively with links.
But if you're referring to topical authority then this is a combination of many things (central / main topic of your site and how in-depth you cover it, the relevancy of the backlinks and anchor texts, etc...)
Regarding how to get backlinks... the answer is complex. Not complicated (you can literally get backlinks from anywhere, free or paid), but it's complex in the sense that there are so many sources and methods to acquire links that I wouldn't know where to start listing them all
For example, this forum has 2 sections dedicated to this alone, so you can buy them from here if you want and - more importantly - if you know what to buy and how to use them, because - if you don't - you'll most likely lose your money:
https://www.blackhatworld.com/forums/seo-link-building.43/
https://www.blackhatworld.com/forums/seo-packages.206/
Also on the forum there are periodically free backlink opportunities that are mentioned by members, I think this month alone I saw 2 or 3 such free (and still good) backlinks being offered, just use the search button to find them...
Then there are the billions of pages that you can get backlinks from, such as forums (which are always free to join), web 2.0s, high authority sites that allow you to get backlinks from your profile, such as Disqus, Soundcloud, Author.me, etc...
Then there are the paid versions which are so many that - again - I wouldn't know where to start listing them, so I guess it's best to just read this post that I've made a few months ago that lists some of the methods:
https://www.blackhatworld.com/seo/white-hat-backlinks.1758363/#post-19890331
Anyway, lots of ways to get backlinks, you just have to search for them
a ton of them, just google for "free backlinks", or search for them on the forum like I said...
contact_yeasin
Junior Member
- Nov 9, 2025
- 113
- 35
thanks a lot for the very detailed explanation.it depends on the type and quality of links, of course! A profile link on a free website might cost you a few cents (if you buy it that is, otherwise it's obviously free), but a niche edit on Cosmopolitan (or other big site) can cost you $30k (yes, I actually did see this price a few years ago, and my jaw dropped too)... So you can't give a price until you mention the type and quality of the link...
the normal authority (ie. NOT topical authority) can be increased exclusively with links.
But if you're referring to topical authority then this is a combination of many things (central / main topic of your site and how in-depth you cover it, the relevancy of the backlinks and anchor texts, etc...)
Regarding how to get backlinks... the answer is complex. Not complicated (you can literally get backlinks from anywhere, free or paid), but it's complex in the sense that there are so many sources and methods to acquire links that I wouldn't know where to start listing them all
For example, this forum has 2 sections dedicated to this alone, so you can buy them from here if you want and - more importantly - if you know what to buy and how to use them, because - if you don't - you'll most likely lose your money:
https://www.blackhatworld.com/forums/seo-link-building.43/
https://www.blackhatworld.com/forums/seo-packages.206/
Also on the forum there are periodically free backlink opportunities that are mentioned by members, I think this month alone I saw 2 or 3 such free (and still good) backlinks being offered, just use the search button to find them...
Then there are the billions of pages that you can get backlinks from, such as forums (which are always free to join), web 2.0s, high authority sites that allow you to get backlinks from your profile, such as Disqus, Soundcloud, Author.me, etc...
Then there are the paid versions which are so many that - again - I wouldn't know where to start listing them, so I guess it's best to just read this post that I've made a few months ago that lists some of the methods:
https://www.blackhatworld.com/seo/white-hat-backlinks.1758363/#post-19890331
Anyway, lots of ways to get backlinks, you just have to search for them
a ton of them, just google for "free backlinks", or search for them on the forum like I said...
- Dec 26, 2024
- 106
- 76
Building authority isn't just about links, it's about being seen as the definitive source. A backlink is a vote, but topical authority is the reason for the vote.
Free links from forums and web 2.0s are low-value. They're like a vote from someone with no reputation. Focus on co-citation instead. Get mentioned (without a link) in industry roundups, news articles, or social media by influencers. Google tracks these brand mentions as trust signals. Use tools like Mention or Ahrefs to track them.
For paid links, the value is in niche relevance and editorial context. A link from a mid-tier blog in your exact niche is worth more than a generic link from a high-DA news site. Cost varies wildly, but a solid niche editorial link can range from $50 to $500. The key is the link being surrounded by relevant content, not just stuck in a sidebar or footer.
The most underrated method is creating linkable assets for your specific industry. Instead of a generic infographic, create a detailed State of the Industry report with original data. Then, email bloggers and journalists in your niche offering to share the exclusive data or a tailored quote for their article. This earns high-quality contextual links.
Free links from forums and web 2.0s are low-value. They're like a vote from someone with no reputation. Focus on co-citation instead. Get mentioned (without a link) in industry roundups, news articles, or social media by influencers. Google tracks these brand mentions as trust signals. Use tools like Mention or Ahrefs to track them.
For paid links, the value is in niche relevance and editorial context. A link from a mid-tier blog in your exact niche is worth more than a generic link from a high-DA news site. Cost varies wildly, but a solid niche editorial link can range from $50 to $500. The key is the link being surrounded by relevant content, not just stuck in a sidebar or footer.
The most underrated method is creating linkable assets for your specific industry. Instead of a generic infographic, create a detailed State of the Industry report with original data. Then, email bloggers and journalists in your niche offering to share the exclusive data or a tailored quote for their article. This earns high-quality contextual links.
- Nov 16, 2011
- 19,791
- 11,285
No free options. At times, when others are having hard time even with paid options, you have no chance with free options.
seothatranks
Power Member
- Nov 28, 2023
- 675
- 189
To increase authority , you have to make backlinks. For backlinks, you have to pay to some seo seller.
- Nov 7, 2025
- 360
- 91
You can grow authority by posting helpful content and building links consistently. Pricing depends on quality and niche but you can still get free links through HARO, web 2.0s, and manual outreach.
Jenifer Griphen
BANNED
- Dec 3, 2025
- 18
- 2
You can increase authority by creating quality content, doing guest posts, and reaching out for backlinks in your niche. Backlinks usually cost anywhere from $5 to $300+ per link depending on site quality, you can also get free backlinks through guest posting forums, directories, and content outreach.
- Jul 30, 2019
- 4,304
- 349
You can grow authority by creating valuable content and earning natural backlinks through outreach or guest posts, which may range from free to several hundred dollars per link depending on quality and domain strength.
- Aug 4, 2015
- 7,008
- 880
Grow your authority by solving problems in your niche and asking other site owners to link when your content helps their readers. Prices vary by domain strength. Free methods like outreach, directories, and helpful tools still give good results if you’re patient.
- Oct 13, 2024
- 910
- 74
Authority builds over time. Start with internal linking and niche-relevant guest posts to boost your DA naturally.
- Feb 28, 2019
- 7,428
- 7,865
There are 4 ways to get backlinks - buy (PBNs, guest posts, etc.), borrow (niche edits, 301 redirects, etc.), beg (manual outreach), steal (link replacement from sites like wiki). You can also build some free backlinks yourself but always be mindful of quality and context. Avoid spammy links like plague even if they are cheap.
Quantum Flow
Newbie
- Dec 26, 2025
- 9
- 2
Start with Free Outreach, Social shares, and mentions.
Micah Powell
Newbie
- Sep 1, 2023
- 47
- 22
If you want real authority, focus on creating content people actually want to link to. Reach out to the right sites don’t just spam blogs—and keep your site clean; thin or low-value pages can hurt more than help.
Free ways that work include HARO, niche forums, reclaiming broken links, or asking sites that mentioned you but didn’t link.
Remember: one solid, relevant link beats ten weak ones every time.
Free ways that work include HARO, niche forums, reclaiming broken links, or asking sites that mentioned you but didn’t link.
Remember: one solid, relevant link beats ten weak ones every time.