India Has Become Obsessed With SEO Scams and Link-Building Spam

What was once a beacon of technological innovation and IT outsourcing excellence now risks being overshadowed by a dark underbelly of fraudulent digital marketing practices.

A cursory glance at any webmaster’s inbox reveals the extent of the problem. Offers flood in daily, promising "first-page rankings" and "high-authority backlinks" for a fraction of the price charged by legitimate agencies.

The pitch? Too good to be true. The reality? An unsustainable web of spammy link-building schemes, shoddy content, and outright deception that damages not just the targets but also India's reputation as a global tech powerhouse.

The Anatomy of the Scam

At the heart of these scams lies the commodification of backlinks

Unscrupulous agencies and individuals bombard businesses with unsolicited emails, often riddled with grammatical errors, offering link placements on so-called "high DA websites."

In truth, these links are frequently placed on low-quality, expired domains or private blog networks (PBNs), which do nothing but erode the search engine credibility of their victims.

Even more concerning is the exploitation of the gig economy. Platforms like Fiverr and Upwork have become fertile ground for such dubious practices.

Sellers, many of whom lack fundamental SEO knowledge, prey on small businesses and startups desperate to compete in the digital arena.

The result? These businesses end up penalized by search engines for engaging in black-hat techniques they didn’t even know were harmful.

Over 90% of Digital Marketing Services in India: Scammers, Frauds, or Overconfident Hack Gurus

The digital marketing industry has seen exponential growth over the past decade, with India emerging as a significant player in the global market.

However, the narrative surrounding this boom is increasingly marred by a darker reality: an overwhelming majority of agencies and freelancers claiming to be “digital marketing experts” are anything but.

According to alarming industry insights, over 90% of digital marketing services, agencies, and freelancers based in India fall into one of three categories:

1. Outright fraudsters.

2. Inexperienced amateurs engaging in unethical practices,

3. Overconfident individuals with barely any real knowledge

4. Resellers posing as the actual service

5. Spammers

Most people in India wouldn't know the difference between SEO, a quality backlink, and a spammy link scheme if it hit them in the face.

Their understanding often revolves around outdated tactics, such as keyword stuffing and bulk link generation, with little regard for ethical practices or long-term strategies that actually drive sustainable results.

The Bigger Picture

This issue isn’t merely about spam emails or dubious links; it’s about a fundamental misunderstanding—and deliberate manipulation—of how SEO works.

Google’s algorithm rewards quality, relevance, and authenticity. But these scams take advantage of outdated perceptions, convincing clients that quantity trumps quality.

The consequences extend far beyond search rankings. Legitimate Indian SEO professionals, who follow ethical practices and deliver genuine value, are forced to compete with these fly-by-night operators.

This tarnishes the industry’s image and undermines trust in the services offered by genuine practitioners.

A Call for Accountability

So, where do we go from here? For starters, global platforms that host these scam operations need to step up.

Fiverr, Upwork, and other freelance marketplaces must implement stricter vetting processes and educate buyers on identifying legitimate services.

Similarly, Indian regulatory bodies must address this growing issue to protect the country’s reputation as a leader in digital innovation.

Additionally, businesses must exercise caution. If an offer seems too good to be true, it probably is. Investing in reputable SEO practices may cost more upfront, but it pays dividends in the long run—both in rankings and reputation.

The Bottom Line

India’s tech industry has achieved remarkable milestones, from spearheading global IT solutions to fostering innovation in emerging technologies.

Allowing SEO scams and link-building spam to proliferate risks undermining decades of progress.

It’s time for the industry and regulators to reclaim the narrative and restore trust in the digital services India offers.

Because in a world increasingly reliant on digital credibility, trust remains the ultimate currency—and we cannot afford to devalue it any further.