If you’re comparing SayNine vs The HOTH for link building, you’re probably wondering which one gives you better links and a better fit.
Both agencies build backlinks and help you show up in Google and AI search. The difference is in how they get you there.
In this comparison article, we compared their pricing, link types, quality standards, and client results, then gave you a clear verdict at the end.
But first, here’s a quick overview of how SayNine and The HOTH compare.
| SayNine | The HOTH | |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 2021 | 2010 |
| Primary focus | Link building, AI visibility | Link Building, AI Visibility, Local SEO, Content, Managed Services |
| Industries served | SaaS and digital service providers | Agencies, e-commerce, SaaS, law, home services, and more |
| Min. DR of placed links | DR 50+ | DR 20+ |
| Min. site traffic | 1,000+ / month | Not specified |
| Link types | Link insertions, listicles, brand mentions | Manual outreach, link insertions, premium editorial placements, news distribution, and AI-trusted media sources. |
| Full SEO (on-page, technical) | Hands-on SEO support (Premium only) | ✅Yes |
| White-hat | ✅Yes | ✅Yes |
| AI / LLM visibility | ✅Yes | ✅Yes |
| SEO audits | ✅Yes | ✅Yes |
| Link building pricing starts | From $250 per link (DR50+ link insertion). Packages start at $2,900/mo on a 12-month term. | $200/ per insertion |
| Notable clients | SuperAnnotate, EasyDMARC, GroWrk, and more. | Not publicly disclosed |
| Rating | 4.8 / 5 on Clutch ⭐ | 4.4 / 5 on Trustpilot⭐ |
SayNine
SayNine is a link building agency for SaaS and digital service brands that want to grow in both Google and AI search. It places unique backlinks in contextually relevant spots, and a dedicated link building team handles delivery.
Founded in 2021, SayNine has already helped over 400 companies, built 60,000+ backlinks, and works with a network of 4,000+ publishing partners.
Key Link Building Services
- Link Insertions: Relevant backlinks from trusted websites that can help support search rankings, organic traffic, and domain rating.
- Brand Mentions (Scale, Growth, and Premium): Your brand named in an existing article, with a link using your brand name as the anchor text, which can help you show up more in AI search results.
- Listicles: “Best” or “Top” articles on relevant sites that feature your brand, built to support both SEO and AI search visibility.
Pros
- Permanent, dofollow backlinks from trusted sources
- A large network of 4,000+ publishing partners
- Target page planning before starting the link building campaign
- Fully managed link building with a dedicated team and pay-per-link pricing
- White-hat link building tactics only
- Support for both SEO and AI visibility through linked brand mentions and listicle placements
- 12-month free link replacement
- Client platform dashboard and a monthly SEO report with every package, plus geo-specific performance reporting on Premium
Cons
- No approvals or lists of domains before links are placed
Who Should Choose SayNine?
SayNine works best for SaaS and digital service providers that want to build online visibility. It can be a good fit for companies, from small businesses to enterprises, that already have a website, a basic SEO foundation, and content and landing pages, and want to grow their Google rankings and AI visibility.
Link Building Packages & Pricing
SayNine offers four packages, Starter, Scale, Growth, and Premium, along with a Custom option. Starter includes link insertions and listicles, while Scale, Growth, and Premium also include linked brand mentions. The higher-tier packages add features for competitor analysis, AI visibility tracking, and hands-on SEO support.
The monthly packages are priced according to backlink volume:
- Starter: $3,550/month for 13 links ($2,900/month on a 12-month term), for small businesses.
- Scale: $6,750/month for 24 links ($5,550/month on a 12-month term), for growing businesses.
- Growth: $11,100/month for 29 links ($9,350/month on a 12-month term), for established businesses.
- Premium: $17,000/month for 45 links ($14,250/month on a 12-month term), for enterprises.
- Custom: For 45+ links or higher DR tiers, book a call.
Monthly plans do not require a contract.
Each plan includes:
- Backlinks from domains with DR 50+ and at least 1,000 monthly organic traffic
- Unique backlinks, with one link per domain
- Permanent, dofollow editorial links
- A 12-month free link replacement guarantee
- Target page planning and anchor text strategy
- Access to the client platform
- Monthly SEO reports
- A dedicated client success manager
- Simple invoicing and communication through your preferred channel
What Clients Are Saying About SayNine
SayNine’s Clutch rating is 4.8/5 based on 22 reviews. Clients highlight several aspects of the agency’s link building services:
Improvements in website domain rating
Professional communication and support
Timely delivery
Quality backlinks
See what our clients have shared about their experience with SayNine.
Saynine provided the link building strategy the client needed, meeting their expectations. Saynine’s team was professional and responsible. Saynine met the project’s metrics and delivered work on time, providing good-quality backlinks.
Here’s another review from Kasia Slonawska, Marketing executive at a social media management SaaS company.
Saynine’s work has improved the domain rating of the client’s websites. The team delivers on time and in a professional manner. The client communicates with them via email and messaging apps. Overall, the client is impressed with Saynine’s speed and quality of work.
Case Studies/Notable Results
SayNine has helped many companies improve their rankings, grow organic traffic, increase brand visibility, and get better SEO results. Here are a few examples:
- EasyDMARC: Organic Traffic Boost by 484%
- SuperAnnotate: Ranking #1 on Google & 1,000% Organic Traffic Growth
- Qooper: 144% More Traffic in 12 Months
The HOTH
The HOTH is a US-based search engine marketing agency founded in 2010. They help businesses gain visibility in Google and AI search.
Key Link Building Services
- Link Outreach
- Link Insertions
- Platinum Links
- Press Releases
- Content Syndication
Other Services
- Managed Services
- AI Visibility
- Content
- Local SEO
- Technical SEO
- White Label SEO Services
Pros
- Content creation included with Link Outreach
- Detailed backlink reporting
- Managed SEO available through HOTH X
Cons
- Some Content Syndication links may be nofollow, meaning that they won’t pass SEO value
- No age limit on the article where the link is placed, and users may receive a placement in content that is 5+ years old, which can be a drawback because Google often favors fresh, updated content for topics where accuracy and relevance matter
- Some niches and anchor types are restricted, including geo-based, foreign, casino/gambling, pharma, adult, and political keywords.
Who Should Choose The HOTH?
The HOTH is a better fit for brands that want access to many link building options, such as link outreach, link insertions, press releases, and digital PR, in one place, and already have a clear idea of what they need.
However, if a team wants a more guided link building strategy from the beginning, they may need a managed option like HOTH X or work closely with the team before ordering.
Link Building Pricing
The HOTH offers several à la carte link building products, so pricing depends on the type of placement you choose.
Its lower-cost options include
- Content Syndication, which starts at $99 per campaign
- Press Releases, which start at $150 per release
- Link Outreach starts at $175 per link for DR 20+ websites
- Link Insertions start at $200 per insertion
For stronger backlink placements, the agency offers
- Platinum Links starting at $405 per link for DR 50+ editorial placements
- Exclusive Media Links starting at $450 per link
Monthly options include
- Digital PR from $1,500/month
- Earned Media from $3,500/month.
What Clients Are Saying About The HOTH?
The HOTH has a 4.4/5 rating on Trustpilot. There are positive reviews around customer support and communication, but the negative reviews raise concerns about inconsistent SEO results, backlink quality, content quality, and ROI.
Case Studies/Notable Clients
- Law School Prep Site – 8k Traffic Increase
- Real Estate Company – Number of Ranking Keywords Grew From 100 to 200
SayNine vs The HOTH: Final Verdict
Both agencies provide backlink services, but they’re built for different needs.
The HOTH works if you want à la carte link building products and already know exactly what to order. In this case, you’re on your own for strategy, and some links come nofollow.
SayNine can be a better fit if you want a guided, productized setup. You get permanent dofollow links, target page planning before the campaign starts, and a dedicated client success manager.
Ready to see what SayNine can do for your website? Book a free consultation and get a custom link building strategy built around your target pages.
