No, not all performance-based SEO agencies employ black hat SEO tactics or somehow attempt to game Google. Nor are all “traditional” SEO agencies on the up and up.
Ultimately, the issue with pay-for-performance agencies and the PFP SEO model is the pay structure. It promotes quick results without any thought to repercussions or sustainability. Securing those rapid gains could create problems down the line and could jeopardize the time and money you spent acquiring them. Plus, the methods used could impact future website rankings, making it harder for your to climb back up the rankings.
Performance-based SEO pricing often raises more questions than it answers. Learn more about the cost of SEO to see how a more traditional model compares and the hard work and dedication it takes to run such a campaign.