When it comes to link building methods, niche edits are probably one of the most powerful yet misunderstood techniques of all time!
They’re powerful because unlike guest posts, where you have to provide fresh content for a link back, niche edits give you a link from a post that’s already aged and has some authority.
They’re also misunderstood (and often frowned upon too) because “some” niche edit providers resort to unethical means to obtain links. And by unethical, we mean placing links on hacked websites where the site owner has no clue what’s going on.
For the uninitiated, niche edits refer to the technique of placing contextual links on existing content in order to get better results, faster.
But are they safe? Or should you even try it when guest posts seem to be giving you good results? We’ll discuss all that, and more, in this guide.
First, let’s start with a quick history of niche edits.
Niche Edit Links: The Probable Origin
Nobody knows precisely when the term “niche edits” was coined, but in all likelihood, it was when SAPE links were all the rage. Back in the day, when Google didn’t place as much importance on relevancy as it did on Domain Authority, PR, link builders had a field time inserting links on any aged website they could find.
And many times, these links would be acquired unethically by hacking into a website and placing links in bulk without the owner knowing. This Black Hat method of building links let SEOs with questionable ethics buy high-quality links in bulk at very cheap rates, making it a win-win for both sellers and buyers.
This wasn’t a safe strategy, to begin with, and when the technique inevitably became overused, Google came down with its hammer! Overnight, thousands of SAPE networks lost their value, causing a significant shakeup in the SERPS. Some of the top dogs of the industry lost their rankings and income as Google introduced relevancy into the mix.
Are SAPE Links Dead? Not quite!
Even though the term SAPE is rarely used now, hacking into websites and placing links is still prevalent today. Some link vendors and even agencies, see nothing wrong with inserting links without the owner’s consent because, at the end of the day, it’s all about money for them.
That’s why we highly recommend you to do a thorough background check before deciding to work with someone. At the Art of War SEO, they always make sure that the links are ethically sourced.
The White Hat vs. Grey Hat vs. Black Hat Niche Edit Debate
You’ve probably heard it numerous times: Black Hat is bad and White Hat is the only way to go! But what do those terms imply anyway? We’ll discuss everything and more, now.
1. White Hat Niche Edits
As the name implies, white hat method of link building involves sourcing links in the most ethical way possible. To get a white hat niche edit, you’ll usually have to follow these steps:
1. Scrape a list of websites that you can give value to.
2. Make your pitch by offering them value in exchange for a link back to your site
3. Work with the webmasters that accept your proposal
Getting white hat niche edits is a time-consuming process that requires a mix of automation and manual work. The links you get are safe, authoritative, and are deemed ethical according to Google webmaster guidelines.
The downside is that in this day and age, where there’s so much competition, it’s hard to get a link without paying for it. Newbies may find it frustrating that after contacting 1000 webmasters, they only get one whitehat linkback opportunity.
2. Gray Hat Niche Edits
Well, gray is between white and black, so you can probably tell that this method uses the best of both worlds. For niche edits, gray hat implies offering money to the blog owners to get a backlink. Even though this mode of transaction is considered normal in the SEO world, it goes against Google Webmaster Guidelines.
3. Black Hat Niche Edits
These are obviously the type of links you get through shady, unethical practices like hacking into someone’s site and putting links inside content. Even though black hat techniques are getting more and more obscure as Google tightens its grip, you’ll still likely encounter some companies making promises too good to be true.
Seriously, don’t fall for it.
Guest Posts or Niche Edits: What’s the Right Choice for You?
Just 30 links over 1 year can bring you great results like mentioned in the screenshot.
So, Do you really have to choose between the two?
NO! Both guest posting and niche edits are excellent ways of building up authority, if you do it right.
When building links, it’s crucial to make sure that they look natural. Acquiring too many guest posts or niche edits within a short span of time might signal to Google that you’re trying to game the system.
To build links the right way, you have to take into account link velocity as well, and that’s something we always keep in mind.
Why Choose DFY Niche Edits?
If you don’t have enough time or lack the expertise to acquire niche edits safely, then DFY service is the way to go!
Over the years these agencies built an exhaustive list of great partners from whom they acquire the links. Partners who are happy to give a contextual link back in exchange of value or a small monetary remuneration.
