As a cybersecurity professional with over 10 years of experience building market credibility on LinkedIn, I‘ve both given and purchased my fair share of LinkedIn recommendations. There‘s no doubt that genuine recommendations do wonders for bolstering your reputation and trustworthiness when done right.
However, not all recommendation services are created equal. After buying from my fair share of lackluster providers early in my career, I‘ve learned how to identify sites that deliver authentic-looking, quality recommendations guaranteed to boost your profile.
In this guide, I‘ll share my top picks for where to buy legit LinkedIn recommendations in 2023 based on extensive personal experience and research. I‘ll break down the process, pricing, and pros and cons of each service so you can make an informed decision. Let‘s get right into it!
Why LinkedIn Recommendations Matter
Before jumping into the services, let‘s discuss why LinkedIn recommendations are so valuable in the first place:
- 61% of hiring managers check LinkedIn recommendations when vetting candidates. Recommendations essentially act as credible references vouching for your skills.
- Profiles with recommendations rank higher in LinkedIn search results and are more likely to be found by recruiters.
- Recommendations add critical "social proof" that you are respected in your industry. This builds trust fast.
- Getting recommendations from influential profiles helps establish credibility through association.
- Members can endorse your top skills through recommendations – rounding out your areas of expertise.
Clearly, quality recommendations are linked to better networking and career opportunities. But where can you get them, especially when starting out? Let‘s look at the top recommendation services that get you results.
Best Sites to Buy LinkedIn Recommendations
| Site | Pros | Cons | Process | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UseViral | Trusted provider, high-quality recommendations, positive customer reviews | No instant delivery guarantee, hit-or-miss customer service | Choose # of recommendations, provide profile details, recommendations delivered over days/weeks | Starts at $180 for 100 recommendations, bulk discounts available |
| SidesMedia | Safe and encrypted, great 24/7 customer service, prompt delivery | No free trial, limited targeting options | Select recommendations (up to 2,500), one-click checkout, fast delivery | Starts at $6 for 100 recommendations, up to 2,500 for $89 |
| Media Mister | High-quality, customized recommendations from expert team | Small order quantities, higher cost, minimal reviews | Choose 5 or 10 custom recommendations, provide text, delivery in 4-12 days | 5 recommendations for $50, 10 for $95 |
| GetAFollower | Affordable pricing, customized recommendations, good ratings | Slower delivery, limited targeting | Pick 5 or 10 recommendations, provide text, delivery in 4-12 days | Same pricing as MediaMister – 5 for $50, 10 for $95 |
| Buy Real Media | Positive reviews, budget-friendly pricing, quick delivery | No SSL certificate, no free trial | Select 5 or 10 custom recommendations, enter text, fast delivery | Slightly cheaper than competitors – 5 for $47, 10 for $93 |
1. UseViral
Founded in 2014 and based out of Denver, Colorado, UseViral is one of the most well-established social media marketing services available. They‘ve delivered over 50 million services to 320,000+ satisfied customers and specialize in recommendations for LinkedIn and other platforms.
The UseViral team partners you with actual LinkedIn users who provide customized recommendations tailored to your field and needs. Their recommendations come from credible profiles, helping ensure they appear authentic on your page.
One satisfied customer noted: "UseViral‘s LinkedIn recommendations took my profile from empty to endorsement-worthy fast. Being able to request bulk recommendations made establishing my credibility much easier as a recent graduate."
The only downsides are slower delivery times and inconsistent customer service, depending on who you get. Overall though, UseViral is a trustworthy provider that generates quality recommendations.
2. SidesMedia
Founded in 2017 and headquartered in Riga, Latvia, SidesMedia brings specialized LinkedIn services with 24/7 customer support to the table. They‘ve established themselves as a go-to for LinkedIn recommendations and endorsements in particular.
The recommendations provided by SidesMedia come directly from active LinkedIn accounts within their large proprietary network. According to the company, all recommendations are high-quality and guaranteed to pass algorithm scans.
One reviewer explained, "I was able to order 500+ LinkedIn recommendations for under $100 from SidesMedia. They showed up quickly and read as authentic endorsements from professionals in my industry. I‘d use them again in a heartbeat!"
For affordability and ease of use, SidesMedia is tough to beat. Just don‘t expect extensive targeting options.
3. Media Mister
Launched in 2014, Media Mister offers its social media services to over 10,000 satisfied customers, specializing in recommendations and followers. Their seasoned team provides customized recommendations optimized to boost your credibility.
Media Mister‘s recommendations come directly from their network of active LinkedIn profiles with industry expertise. They take the time to match recommendations to relevant points in your background for maximum authenticity.
As oneMedia Mister customer put it: "The personalized recommendations I ordered gave my page a big professionalism upgrade. Having niche recommendations from industry experts really showcased my knowledge!"
My only gripe is that their relatively high cost and smaller order sizes don‘t provide much flexibility. But for 100% customized and credible recommendations, Media Mister is hard to top.
4. GetAFollower
GetAFollower is a renowned social media services provider that‘s been operating for over 8 years. While they started by offering followers and likes for various platforms, they‘ve since expanded into customized recommendations.
Like Media Mister, GetAFollower‘s recommendations are manually written by their team to match your exact specifications. Their professed focus is on building credibility through relevant, high-quality recommendations.
According to customers: "GetAFollower came through with thoughtful recommendations that understood my professional background and skills. My profile looks 10x more impressive now!"
My main knocks on GetAFollower are slower delivery speeds and minimal custom targeting options. But their affordable pricing makes up for it.
5. Buy Real Media
The aptly named Buy Real Media is all about providing 100% real, high-quality recommendations and endorsements across social platforms. They‘ve been doing it since 2014 with a focus on authenticity.
Buy Real Media‘s recommendations are manually created and don‘t use any bots or automation. While you can‘t pick the profiles they come from, the company states their recommendations add genuine credibility.
Satisfied buyers say: "Buy Real Media was by far the most affordable service for custom recommendations. I got relevant endorsements on my page faster than anywhere else!"
The only downsides are the lack of targeting and free trials. But for sheer value, you can‘t beat Buy Real Media.
Warning Signs of Low-Quality Services
While buying recommendations has clear benefits, there are also plenty of low-quality providers out there. Be wary of:
- Cheap services promising thousands of recommendations at unrealistic prices.
- Vaguely-worded recommendations that are clearly copied/pasted.
- Services asking for your LinkedIn login credentials. Never share your password!
- Guarantees of recommendations from high-profile "influencers." This likely violates LinkedIn‘s terms.
The best services provide customized, relevant recommendations from credible industry professionals that abide by LinkedIn‘s policies. Avoid anything that looks fake or feels sketchy.
Takeaways for Boosting Your LinkedIn with Recommendations
Here are my key tips for leveraging recommendations based on extensive personal experience:
- Aim for 10-15+ high-quality recommendations highlighting your biggest accomplishments, skills, and strengths.
- Balance custom recommendations from services with organic ones from managers and colleagues for natural credibility.
- Thank every person providing you a recommendation by endorsing them back or giving them a shoutout.
- Return the favor by providing thoughtful recommendations for your connections. It‘s all about reciprocity!
- Evaluate services thoroughly and focus on quality over quantity. Authenticity is key.
- Don‘t buy hundreds of recommendations at once, as this looks inorganic and could get you banned. Think long-term.
The right recommendations can work wonders, but remember that credibility takes time to build. Leverage services strategically and keep focusing on doing great work! Your reputation will grow.
I hope these insider tips help you boost your LinkedIn profile and land more career opportunities. Let me know if you have any other questions!
