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 tools like ChatGPT. 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 $170 per link (DR 50+, yearly billing). Depends on DR tier and volume. | $200/ per insertion |
| Trial/test run | ✅Yes | ❌No |
| 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 that helps SaaS and digital service providers improve their Google rankings and AI visibility. The agency focuses on building contextually relevant backlinks through white-hat strategies, so brands can grow steady, real authority.
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 support search rankings, bring in more organic traffic, and improve your domain rating.
- Brand Mentions: Online references to your brand on reputable sources using branded anchor text, helping you show up more in AI search results.
- Listicles: “Best” or “Top” articles on relevant sites that feature your brand, improving both SEO and visibility in AI tools.
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
- Supporting both SEO and AI visibility through 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’s a strong fit for mid-size and enterprise companies that already have a website, a basic SEO foundation, and content and landing pages, and want to improve their Google rankings and AI visibility.
Link Insertion Packages & Pricing
SayNine offers three main packages, Starter, Growth, and Premium, along with a Custom option. Starter includes link insertions and listicles, while Growth and Premium also include 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: $5,500/month for 20 links, best for mid-size companies.
- Growth: $11,100/month for 29 links, best for mid-size and larger companies.
- Premium: $17,000/month for 45 links, best for enterprises.
- Custom: Pricing available on request.
Monthly plans do not require a contract. Yearly contracts can be cancelled with two months’ prior notice without a cancellation fee.
For teams with specific requirements, SayNine offers a Custom package. Contact SayNine to discuss your needs and pricing.
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, some links come nofollow, and there’s no test run before you commit.
SayNine is the stronger pick for most brands. You get permanent dofollow links, target page planning before the campaign starts, and a test run so you can check the quality before spending big.
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.
