Relying Only On Link Selling Websites<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Another big mistake is trusting backlinks from link selling websites.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But why do businesses choose this route? It\u2019s appealing because these sites often have high metrics, making them look like a good option. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
But, the problem is, that those metrics can drop overnight. These sites aren\u2019t legitimate businesses\u2014they\u2019re not focused on creating compelling content or maintaining their site. In short, you can end up getting toxic backlinks, which actually hurt your SEO.You might be wondering, what is a toxic backlink<\/a>? It\u2019s a link from a low-quality or spammy site that can negatively impact your rankings and online reputation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Besides, selling links violates Google\u2019s guidelines<\/a>, and such sites face harsh consequences, such as lower rankings, and even a complete removal from search engines. <\/p>\n\n\n\n So what\u2019s the better option? The answer is simple: SaaS link building. By getting backlinks from legitimate SaaS businesses, you\u2019re investing in quality. As these businesses grow, your backlinks get stronger too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Still not convinced? Take a look at our link building case studies<\/a> to see how SaaS backlinks have helped our clients improve their rankings and traffic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A lot of businesses think that once they build a certain number of backlinks, their SEO is set and they can just sit back and watch their rankings improve.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But that\u2019s not how it works.<\/p>\n\n\n\n SEO\u2014especially link building\u2014is all about consistency. Building a few backlinks and then calling it quits won\u2019t get you very far. In fact, it\u2019s more likely to lead to a drop in rankings<\/a>, traffic, and overall performance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Here\u2019s what we recommend: start by aiming for at least ten backlinks a month to see some positive changes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Of course, some sites may need more to stay ahead of the competition. It all depends on your website\u2019s content, technical performance, and brand reputation<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n But one thing is for sure\u2014if you want better SEO, consistent backlink building is key. If staying on top of this feels challenging, consider hiring a link building consultant<\/a> to ensure a strategic approach.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When businesses start link building, it\u2019s easy to get caught up in the idea of perfection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But here\u2019s the thing: perfection doesn\u2019t exist and expecting to get flawless backlinks is a bit of an unrealistic dream.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Let\u2019s assume you have got a few \u201cperfect\u201d backlinks from legit businesses with high DR. But have you asked yourself how many of those perfect backlinks you can consistently get over time?<\/p>\n\n\n\n In the beginning, it\u2019s easier to build such backlinks. But eventually, it gets harder to keep up that pace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Our advice? Keep a balance\u2014have a mix of good backlinks and some that are more average. This sustainable approach will help keep your SEO strong over time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This is one of those link building myths<\/a> that keeps people confused\u2014thinking you need more backlinks than your competitors to outrank them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Here\u2019s why it\u2019s a mistake: just because your competitor has 1,000 backlinks doesn\u2019t mean they have an advantage. Many of those backlinks could come from spammy sources, which actually hurt their SEO, not help it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n On the other hand, you could have 500 good backlinks, and quality is what really matters in this case.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Don\u2019t chase numbers. Instead, we recommend looking at your competitors\u2019 backlink profiles to understand what types of backlinks<\/a> they\u2019re getting. <\/p>\n\n\n\n When your website and content are good enough, you start getting organic backlinks, the ones you get without putting much effort into, such as link exchanges. <\/p>\n\n\n\n This is awesome, especially when these links come from good, trustworthy sources. But sometimes, you might get backlinks from not-so-great domains. That\u2019s why it\u2019s important to not just monitor the backlinks you build, but also the organic ones that come in on their own.<\/p>\n\n\n\n These could be links from comment sections or random directories, and those can actually hurt your SEO.<\/p>\n\n\n\n So, make it a habit to regularly check your backlink profile using Ahrefs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Simply enter your domain into Site Explorer and go to the “Backlinks” section. <\/p>\n\n\n\n From there, you can filter your backlinks by “Dofollow,” Domain Rating (DR), and traffic, just like in the video screenshot below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You can also double-check all the pages where you have backlinks to make sure everything looks good since high metrics sometimes can be misleading.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The sooner you identify any harmful links, the faster you can take necessary measures to protect your SEO.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As we\u2019ve mentioned before, keeping an eye on your backlinks is important to find any harmful or toxic ones. If you find them, it\u2019s important to get rid of them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Now, a lot of people immediately think about disavowing those links, assuming it\u2019s the quickest fix. But here\u2019s the thing: disavowing is actually the least preferred option.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We always recommend using the disavow tool as a last option\u2014and we mean last.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s not just us saying this\u2014Google also warns<\/a> that disavowing backlinks can have negative consequences. <\/p>\n\n\n\n What we recommend is to first contact the website admin and ask them to remove your backlink. This is the easiest and safest way to get rid of harmful backlinks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Again. Only disavow when it\u2019s absolutely necessary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We\u2019re not saying you should ignore link building metrics completely\u2014they definitely matter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n What we say is that you shouldn\u2019t rely on them fully, because they don\u2019t tell the whole story.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For instance, you might avoid getting a backlink from a legitimate SaaS website just because it has a high spam score. You may think that if you have a backlink from there, your own spam score will go up\u2014but that\u2019s a myth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n On the flip side, some link selling websites might have great metrics, like a high DR or traffic, but those metrics can drop just as easily as they increase. Why? Because Google can easily detect the spammy techniques these sites use to manipulate rankings. They\u2019ll eventually end up being penalized in the long run.<\/p>\n\n\n\n So, our advice is to track these metrics, but also consider whether the website is reputable and a good fit for your link building strategy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Further reading: <\/p>\n\n\n\n Link Building Metrics<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n We wanted to go the extra mile and include some common mistakes link builders often make when building backlinks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Here are the key “don’ts” shared by our team.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This is one of the most asked link building questions<\/a>\u2014how to communicate your requests in a way that\u2019s clear and efficient.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Link building isn\u2019t just about the technical side\u2014it\u2019s also about communication. The clearer you are, the faster those link exchanges can happen. Whether you use LinkedIn for link building<\/a> or email, being concise and genuine helps you build trust, stand out, and get results.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, sending messy or unclear emails can seriously slow down your progress. It can also affect your deliverability, and if you\u2019re wondering how to decrease bounce rate<\/a>, you need to pay attention to the quality and clarity of your emails.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Here\u2019s a what a link request might look like when it\u2019s not well-thought-out: <\/p>\n\n\n\n A link partner shares a request using a screenshot to show where they want their link inserted. Not only does this add unnecessary confusion, but it can also be hard for a link exchange partner to understand exactly what\u2019s being asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Now, compare that with the format used by our link builders:<\/p>\n\n\n\n We clearly outline where we want the link to be placed, which anchor text to use, and include all the necessary details. It\u2019s simple and easy to follow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It might seem like a small thing, but trust us\u2014it makes a big difference. <\/p>\n\n\n\n If your emails are sloppy, you can push link building partners away, as it shows a lack of professionalism.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Another common mistake in link exchanges is not following your partner’s guidelines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ignoring their requirements can lead to confusion, delays, and unnecessary back-and-forth, as you\u2019ll likely have to send another request to fix the problem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To avoid this, we advise you to always double-check the guidelines before hitting send. It shows respect for both your time and your partner\u2019s, and helps keep everything running smoothly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Imagine getting bombarded with follow-up emails in a single day\u2014frustrating, right?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Well, the same goes for your link partners. They\u2019re working on getting your links live, so spamming their inbox with follow-ups won\u2019t help and speed up the process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Our link builders recommend following up every 3-4 days. It\u2019s not a set rule but that\u2019s what works for us. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Only increase the follow-ups if you have a tight deadline and really need that backlink, but again, don\u2019t annoy people, as they have deadlines too. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Whether it\u2019s link building or any other job, keeping everything organized is a must to succeed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n One way to keep your link building collaboration effective is to use spreadsheets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This way, you can easily understand how many backlinks you owe to your link partners, and vice versa, as well as the status of your link exchange. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Learning how to use Google Sheets for SEO<\/a> can help you manage your link requests and stay organized. Creating a basic spreadsheet with each partner can make a big difference and ensure everything is on the right track.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We\u2019ve all received emails starting with \u201cHi Dear,\u201d \u201cHey bro,\u201d or something like that, right? Most of us probably ignore them because they feel like mass messages, and let\u2019s be honest, we\u2019re all tired of them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Personalizing your messages, on the other hand, can make a huge difference. When you address someone by name, you add a personal touch and, thanks to this, you are more likely to get a response.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s a simple move, but using the person\u2019s name in your message can set the right tone and show that you truly care.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There is nothing more annoying than getting lengthy messages. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Let\u2019s face it. No one likes to read long messages, and sending them via email is the worst decision you can make when doing a link building outreach. <\/p>\n\n\n\n People\u2019s inboxes are flooded with a bunch of emails, and if yours does not stand out, don\u2019t expect your emails to be opened and read. <\/p>\n\n\n\n What\u2019s worked for us is keeping messages short and getting to the point immediately.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you are reaching out to someone for a link exchange, make sure to clearly state why you are writing and what you are ready to give in return. A link building Chrome extension<\/a> can help refine your email content, ensuring clarity and engagement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Try this method and thank us later!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Further reading:<\/p>\n\n\n\nNot Building Backlinks Consistently<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Striving for Perfect Backlinks<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Building More Backlinks Than Your Competitors<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Not Checking New Organic Backlinks<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Rushing to Disavow Backlinks<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"Google](\"https:\/\/saynine.ai\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/links-disavow-mistake-1920x995.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nFocusing Only On Website Metrics<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
9 Link Exchange Mistakes to Avoid: Insights from Our Team<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Sending Sloppy or Unclear Link Requests<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"Screenshot](\"https:\/\/saynine.ai\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/link-request-example-1920x600.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/saynine.ai\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/clear-link-building-request-example-1920x959.png\"){kind=spacer}
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nIgnoring Link Partner\u2019s Guidelines<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"An](\"https:\/\/saynine.ai\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/linkbuilding-guidelines-example-1920x788.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nFollowing Up Too Much in One Day<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Not Keeping Track of Your Link Requests<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"Link](\"https:\/\/saynine.ai\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/exchange-spreadsheet-example-1920x899.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nSkipping Personalization in Your Messages<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"Example](\"https:\/\/saynine.ai\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/bad-personalization-example-1920x788.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nWriting Lengthy Outreach Emails<\/h3>\n\n\n\n