Is it against Google's TOS to pay for one in-content guest post backlink on a website in your niche?

by 24 replies
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I know Google says it's against their TOS to pay for a backlink (although, many sites pay for directory links). Does this include paying for one in-content guest post backlink on a website in your niche? I noticed that a lot of sites won't let you do a guest post unless you pay them.
#search engine optimization #backlink #google #guest #incontent #niche #pay #post #tos #website
  • Google does not say it is against their TOS to pay for a link.

    Since that's false, why bother with the rest of the question?

    Paul
    • [1] reply
  • How would Google ever know you paid for a link?
    • [ 1 ] Thanks
    • [1] reply
    • I think OP is going to tell Google.
  • I agree. It was never stated by Google that they are prohibiting sponsored links. It's what advertising is all about.

    Loren
  • If your links are from good sources and are relevant to the content of your site, I don't think they should be any problem. It's when links are coming from poor sources in my opinion that problems occur or when we are mass building them.
  • Directly from Google Search Console:

    Link schemes
    Any links intended to manipulate PageRank or a site's ranking in Google search results may be considered part of a link scheme and a violation of Google's Webmaster Guidelines. This includes any behavior that manipulates links to your site or outgoing links from your site.

    The following are examples of link schemes which can negatively impact a site's ranking in search results:

    Buying or selling links that pass PageRank. This includes exchanging money for links, or posts that contain links; exchanging goods or services for links; or sending someone a "free" product in exchange for them writing about it and including a link...

    What am I missing here? Maybe I'm misunderstanding what Google is saying???
    • [2] replies

    • And I'm going to say it again... How would Google have any idea if you paid for a link?
      • [1] reply
    • You are missing PAGERANK.

      And they are talking about manipulating PageRank and other shtuff.

      Google never says you can't sell links. My gosh...their whole EMPIRE IS ON PAID LINKS!

      Google seems to need 2 things that they extrapolate from some algorithm:

      A) That the link is paid for.
      B) The link is for manipulating PageRank or Other things.

      A free link, on the other hand, is free to do whatever you wish?

      Too funny.

      The very same things you say about paid links, google ACTUALLY says about free links.

      But you never care about getting links that are free to shmooze google.....

      Google never, ever says paid or free links are bad.

      That should be end of story...but, no.

      BTW: Google has said things about forum sig links...... and you people ignore that.

      You believe what google does not say, ignore the actual quotes, then go out and do the opposite of what they actually say.

      If you truly believe google hates paid links, then guess what?

      They hate free links.

      You people are the ones who believe money is the root of all evil because you know the quote. Or not.

      Paul
      • [2] replies
  • It's probably pretty easy for Google to assume links are paid for if the site they are on advertises paid links or advertisements. Google definitely states that any paid link should be no-followed.

    Now, will they catch you? It depends on the site they are on but in many cases, no. I hope it's a make or break link or at least one that is going to bring a ton of targeted traffic; otherwise, you might want to think about it some more.
    • [1] reply
    • Google wouldn't know if link was paid or not if only you and OP
      and no one else had sites not to mention billions of sites and that
      98% of Googles real money generated by other enterprises, which
      not include chasing down some SEO cheaters.



      fastreplies
      • [1] reply
  • It includes ANY paid for link that conveys link juice and can manipulate ranking. Have no idea what post 2 is trying to say but its obviously wrong. Google has said some kinds of links violate their policies.

    The issue however is if webmasters are bound to Google's TOS. You never sign anything with Google and they crawl and read the data on your site without your permission. They've built their entire multi billion empire on other people's data which they never asked permission to crawl and store.

    So provided they can't tell the link is bought what moral or legal requirement do you have to agree to abide by their TOS?

    and yes its a given in SEO that some (and quite a few) will ask for payment. As long as they are not advertising links for cash and don't overdo it (only linking to sites that are natural to their site's niche) it is doubtful it will ever be recognized as a bought link.
    • [ 1 ] Thanks
  • The problem is not about the violation or not.

    It's OBVIOUSLY a violation, as you described posting google's TOS, and whos pulling your leg saying it's not, is only trying to race on the lenght of penis.

    BUT

    google perfectly knows which are the sites and provider selling links and guest posting in exchange of money.

    So if you are "back linked" from them, there's the concrete possibility to get penalized.

    However if you have a good content and your links won't belong ONLY from the site you pay with, it's fairly assumed that you have a rankable site and you won't get penalized.

    In an ideal google's world sites are backlinked naturally from the other sites who genuine like the content, BUT we all know that the are Seo Agencies that make pretty good money.

    If all that violates google's TOS would carry a ban, SEO woud not exist.

    So it's a battle between what you can, what you could try and what is banned.
  • Thank you for the replies, everyone. I'm now more confused than ever. Just kidding.
  • Banned
    I agree. It was never stated by Google that they are prohibiting sponsored links. Google has said some kinds of links violate their policies.
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