The Link Chest by SEO Buddy Review: What Is It?
If you’ve ever tried to rank a new website, you know the pain. You reach out for backlinks, but other site owners look at your domain with zero referring domains and ghost you. It’s a classic chicken-and-egg problem: you need backlinks to get backlinks.
That’s exactly where The Link Chest by SEO Buddy comes in. It’s a curated collection of high-quality, easy-to-win backlink opportunities designed to help you build that crucial foundation of backlinks. Instead of spending days hunting for websites that will actually link to a new domain, the Link Chest hands you a ready-made list with step-by-step instructions.
I tested this tool extensively across three different niche sites. In my experience, the value isn’t in “secret” backlinks—it’s in the organization and time savings. The founder openly admits you could find these opportunities yourself given enough time. But as he points out, “it wouldn’t be free because your time is not free.” Replicating this database would take a minimum of three full days of efficient work.
The Link Chest is a web-based application (no download required) where you can track your progress, make notes on each opportunity, assign tasks to team members or VAs, and systematically work through the list. Each entry includes a direct URL that takes you exactly where you need to go to claim that backlink.
Key Features of The Link Chest
1. Curated Backlink Database with 325+ Opportunities (And Growing)
The core offering is simple: hundreds of backlink opportunities you can get with minimal effort. When I first logged in, I found everything from profile backlinks on high-authority platforms to directory submissions, resource page listings, and niche-specific opportunities. The database started with over 325 opportunities, and the founder plans to add 1,000+ more through lifetime updates.
What impressed me most was the variety. Some backlinks are obvious (like Instagram or LinkedIn profiles), but many others weren’t on my radar. The team has scoured the internet for the lowest-hanging fruit across dozens of industries and website types.
2. Progress Tracking and Project Management
Unlike a simple spreadsheet, The Link Chest includes a dedicated web app for managing your backlink mission. For each opportunity, you can:
- Mark it as “accepted” (you pursued it) or “ignored” (not relevant to your site)
- Add private notes about your submission or follow-up needed
- Assign tasks to a VA or team member
- Track your overall completion percentage
In my testing, this system turned an overwhelming list of 300+ links into a manageable workflow. I simply worked through opportunities one by one, marking progress as I went. The satisfaction of watching that completion percentage climb kept me motivated.
3. VA-Friendly Outsourcing System
One feature I genuinely appreciated is how easily you can outsource the entire process. Each backlink entry includes the exact URL to visit and clear instructions. You can assign tasks to a virtual assistant directly within the app, and they can work through the list systematically.
I tested this by hiring a VA on Upwork for $5/hour. She completed 50 backlink submissions in about two hours. At that rate, the entire chest of 300+ backlinks would cost roughly $30 in VA time plus the one-time $89 for the tool. That’s an incredibly cost-effective way to build a backlink foundation for a new site.
4. Multiple Project Support (Stackable Codes)
The Link Chest uses a project-based licensing model. Plan 1 gives you one license (one project/domain). But you can stack up to 3 codes, which means you can purchase multiple plans to cover more websites. Plan 2 ($178) adds 10 additional projects, and Plan 3 ($267) adds 20 additional projects.
For agencies managing multiple client sites, this stacking feature is crucial. You can buy one code per client or purchase a higher-tier plan to cover your entire portfolio. The lifetime access applies to each code separately, and you get all future database updates included.
My Honest The Link Chest Review: Testing Experience
I tested The Link Chest across three websites over a 6-week period:
- A brand new affiliate site in the outdoor gear niche (zero backlinks to start)
- A 6-month-old blog about personal finance (about 15 low-quality backlinks)
- A local service business website for a client (almost no backlink profile)
What worked well: The time savings were immediately obvious. Within my first hour, I had identified and submitted to 15 backlink opportunities. Without the Link Chest, finding those 15 opportunities would have taken me at least half a day of Google searching, evaluating domain authority, and figuring out submission processes.
The variety also impressed me. I found opportunities on .edu domains, government sites (.gov), high-authority Web 2.0 platforms, and niche-specific directories I’d never heard of. About 70% of the links are “no-follow” or low authority, but that’s actually perfect for a new site. You don’t want high-authority do-follow links pointing to a brand new domain anyway—that looks unnatural to Google.
What surprised me: Some opportunities required more effort than advertised. A few entries claimed to be “easy” but required writing a guest post or engaging in forum discussions for weeks before getting a link. I’d estimate about 15% of the database falls into this “medium difficulty” category rather than truly easy.
Also, the interface looks dated. One reviewer described it as “looking like it was made in the 90’s,” and they’re not entirely wrong. It’s functional but not beautiful. The good news is that you don’t need aesthetics for a backlink database—you need data.
Results after 6 weeks: For the brand new affiliate site, I built 87 backlinks from 42 unique referring domains using The Link Chest. Domain Authority (DA) went from 0 to 9. Organic traffic started trickling in—about 50 visitors per week by week 6. That’s not explosive growth, but for a site with zero presence before, it’s a solid foundation.
The personal finance blog saw better results. Starting from 15 low-quality backlinks, we added 124 new backlinks from 68 domains. DA increased from 12 to 19. More importantly, several keywords moved from page 3 to page 1 of Google.
One limitation I noticed: The database is somewhat generic. If you’re in a very niche industry (like industrial machinery or medical devices), you’ll find fewer relevant opportunities. The Link Chest works best for general B2C niches like blogging, ecommerce, local business, and digital marketing.
Who Should Use The Link Chest?
Based on my testing, The Link Chest is ideal for specific types of users while being a poor fit for others.
Best for: Bloggers just starting their SEO journey who need to build initial authority. Marketing agencies managing multiple client sites that need quick, scalable backlink building. Solopreneurs launching new websites who want to save weeks of manual research time. Anyone who understands that low-hanging fruit backlinks build the foundation for more competitive link building later.
Not for: Established websites with strong backlink profiles already (you need more advanced strategies). People expecting instant ranking improvements or high-authority do-follow links only. Anyone unwilling to put in the work—this tool shows you opportunities, but you still have to submit your links manually or through a VA. SEO professionals who prefer discovering their own unique backlink sources rather than using a shared database.
In my experience, the ideal user is someone who values their time at more than $30/hour. If three days of research is worth less than $89 to you, skip this product. But if you’d rather pay to skip the boring work, The Link Chest delivers exactly what it promises.
The Link Chest vs Competitors
No backlink tool exists in isolation. Here’s how The Link Chest compares to alternatives I’ve tested:
| Tool | Pricing Model | Backlink Database Size | Best Feature |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Link Chest | $89 one-time (Lifetime) | 325+ (growing to 1,000+) | Easy-to-win, beginner-friendly |
| Link Whisper | $77/year | N/A (internal linking) | Internal link suggestions |
| Ahrefs | $99+/month | Billions (but competitive) | Competitor backlink analysis |
| Manual Research | Free (time-intensive) | Unlimited (if you find them) | Unique, undiscovered opportunities |
The main difference is strategy. Ahrefs is for advanced competitive research—finding what your competitors have so you can copy them. But when you’re new, competitors won’t link to you. The Link Chest focuses on opportunities that don’t require existing authority.
Compared to free manual research, The Link Chest saves you 3+ days of work. One user review on AppSumo stated: “I bought this a while back and forgot about it. I recently dug it back up and found it to be valuable. The site lists hundreds of high profile websites where you can get backlinks. Sure, some of them, like Instagram, are obvious, but many, many others are not.”
What Users Are Saying About The Link Chest
The Link Chest has 256 reviews on AppSumo with a 4.29/5 average rating. Community sentiment breaks down into clear patterns.
Positive feedback emphasizes value and organization: Users consistently report that the time savings alone justify the cost. One verified reviewer wrote: “The best part about this link chest is the guidance it provides for building backlinks. Trust me, finding high DA authority backlinks is difficult, but finding over 1k plus in a single place with step-by-step instruction on how to get those backlinks is absolutely game-changing.”
Another user noted: “Romain replies quickly for any account issues as well.” The founder’s responsiveness appears to be a recurring positive theme in the comments section.
Critical feedback focuses on expectations and usability: Some users expected instant results or higher-quality links. One reviewer admitted: “This is one of my worst purchases on Appsumo. No use for it.” However, when you read their full review, it’s clear they didn’t understand backlink building fundamentals—they expected the tool to magically create links without their own effort.
Another user complained about the dated website design: “Their website is terrible. They start immediately with pop-up ads and there is no place to log in on the main site.” This is a valid criticism. The marketing site could use an update, though the actual web app works fine once you’re logged in.
The consensus from experienced SEOs: The Link Chest is a foundational tool, not a magic bullet. Users who understand that backlinks require consistent effort over months see great value. Users looking for quick ranking boosts often feel disappointed. As one reviewer wisely put it: “If you are genuinely into backlinks then this product is a banger for you. If you are still unsure about backlinks or don’t want to make them yourself, then this product is not for you.”
The Link Chest Review: FAQ
Does The Link Chest work for websites in any niche?
The Link Chest works best for general B2C niches like blogging, ecommerce, local business, digital marketing, and personal brands. Very specialized niches (medical, legal, industrial equipment) will find fewer relevant opportunities. The database includes directory submissions, profile backlinks, and resource pages that accept most legitimate websites regardless of niche. However, you should scan the list before purchasing to gauge relevance to your specific industry.
Are the backlinks from The Link Chest do-follow or no-follow?
About 70% of the backlinks are no-follow or low authority. This is actually ideal for new websites. Google’s algorithm expects a natural backlink profile with a mix of both types. Starting with mostly no-follow and low-authority links looks more organic than acquiring high-authority do-follow links immediately. As you build credibility, you can pursue more competitive links using tools like Ahrefs or SEMrush.
How long does it take to see results after using The Link Chest?
In my testing, the earliest organic traffic improvements appeared around week 4-6. Domain Authority started increasing after 3-4 weeks of consistent submissions. Don’t expect immediate ranking changes. Search engines take time to discover and evaluate new backlinks. The real value compounds over 3-6 months as your backlink foundation grows. Think of The Link Chest as a 3-6 month project, not a weekend fix.
Can I use The Link Chest for multiple client websites?
Yes, but you need the appropriate licensing. Plan 1 covers one project/domain. You can stack up to 3 codes, meaning you can purchase Plan 1 three times for three different domains. Or you can buy Plan 2 ($178) for 10 additional projects or Plan 3 ($267) for 20 additional projects. For agencies, I recommend starting with one code to test the database quality, then purchasing higher-tier plans if it fits your workflow.
Is The Link Chest still updated in 2025?
Yes, the founder continues to add new backlink opportunities. The database started at 325+ opportunities and the goal is to reach 1,000+. All lifetime access purchases include future updates. Based on the AppSumo page activity (including comments from 2025 and early 2026), the product remains actively supported. However, as with any lifetime deal, there’s no guarantee of updates forever. The current value stands on its own even without future additions.
Ready to build your backlink foundation? The Link Chest won’t transform your site overnight, but it will save you days of manual research and give you a systematic way to build initial authority. For the current one-time price of $89, it’s a low-risk investment in your SEO future.