At Semantic Mastery, we don’t believe in trapping clients with SEO contracts. In a recent talk, Bradley Benner explained why long-term agreements often create more problems than protection. Instead, we run services on a simple rule: if our work helps, you’ll keep paying for it — if it doesn’t, you can stop. This pay-for-performance, month-to-month model keeps relationships healthy, removes unnecessary stress, and forces both sides to stay focused on results instead of paperwork.
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Why we avoid SEO contracts
Contracts sound safe. Lawyers like them and some clients ask for them. But in practice, contracts can cause more harm than good. Here are the main reasons we say no to long-term SEO contracts:
- They lock us into working with people who will be a pain to support.
- They take away our freedom to cut ties when a client is unreasonable.
- They can make clients feel trapped, which hurts the relationship and hurts results.
- They shift focus from outcomes to compliance with a contract document.
We think a simple rule works better: if we do a good job, you’ll want us to keep working for you. If we don’t, you can stop. If a client proves to be abusive, we should be able to stop working with them too. That keeps both sides honest.
Pay-for-performance and month-to-month: how we run things
We use a pay-for-performance mindset, even if we don’t literally bill per ranking point. What that means in practice:
- Most services run month-to-month.
- We ask for a verbal commitment of three months so there’s enough time to show real progress.
- We don’t lock people in legally. They can cancel anytime.
- We also reserve the right to stop working with a client who is consistently difficult or abusive.
The three-month request is practical. SEO and link work take time to show measurable results. But verbal commitments are just that: promises. They keep the relationship human and flexible.
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Real client example: why contracts can backfire
We once had a client who booked a small support call for a link service. She presented herself as a marketer. We tried to help and asked her to order a competitive link analysis. Our system requires a simple step: checkout, then click a big blue “Start Order” button in the dashboard and fill out the intake form. That is when our team gets notified and the work begins.
She checked out, but never submitted order details. We messaged her and gave step-by-step instructions. We even sent a screenshot showing the big blue button. The system uses a magic sign-in link for login. That’s normal these days: enter your email, get a link, click it to log in. We explained this clearly.
She kept asking for updates about an order that we never received details for. She then sent an angry screenshot and cursed out our support staff because she could not find a password field. She insisted the system was broken. The truth was she didn’t follow the steps. After a few attempts and a rude message, we refunded her and walked away.
This scenario shows exactly why contracts are risky. If we had a contract and this client had bought a package under that contract, we could have been forced to keep working with her and pouring time into support that got nowhere. That drains resources and causes stress. We would rather refund and move on than be trapped in a bad relationship.
How we protect our business without contracts
Even without written contracts, we still protect the business in clear ways:
- Clear intake and onboarding steps. We don’t start until the client submits required details.
- Transparent deliverables and timelines. Every service has a description of what we will do and when.
- Documentation of conversations and recommendations. We keep records so everyone can remember what was agreed.
- Payment before work starts. This avoids unpaid invoices and ensures client buy-in.
- We reserve the right to refuse or end work with clients who are abusive or uncooperative.
These simple rules keep scope clear and reduce disputes. They work better than forcing someone to stay under a contract while both sides waste time and energy.
How we handle sales, recommendations, and expectations
When someone asks for help, we don’t hand out random advice on a short call. We ask for data first. For example, we offer a competitive link analysis. The client fills out a form, we review the data, and we create a video explaining what we recommend and why. That way the recommendation is rooted in facts.
On sales calls we are direct. We say we don’t work on contracts and that we prefer month-to-month. We ask for a verbal commitment for three months. We also warn clients: if you become difficult to work with, we will stop. This frankness sets expectations and avoids surprises later.
When a contract might make sense
We’re not saying contracts are always bad. There are times when they are requested or needed, especially for larger enterprise projects or when a client insists. In those cases we evaluate carefully and often turn them down if the terms make us uncomfortable.
Things that might push us toward a contract:
- A large project that needs guaranteed resources.
- A client who will only work with written agreements.
- Long-term partnerships where both sides want a formal legal frame.
Even then, we prefer short terms with clear exit clauses. We avoid multi-year lock-ins. We learned over time to refuse deals that trap us into wasting time with people who don’t communicate or who blame others for every problem.
Managing stress and client fit
Working with the wrong client is stressful. It costs time, attention, and morale. We do not need the money that badly. It’s better to refund and move on than to create ongoing stress for the team.
Some signs a client will be trouble:
- They refuse to follow clear onboarding steps.
- They blame systems or people instead of reading instructions.
- They are rude or abusive to support staff.
- They demand immediate results without understanding how SEO works.
When we see those signs, we prefer to stop. We believe good work should be a two-way street. If both sides can’t communicate and do the work required, it won’t work out.
How we talk about results
SEO and link building are not instant. We tell clients that results take time. That’s another reason we ask for a short, verbal commitment of three months. That time allows us to run tests, build links, and measure movement. If after that period we aren’t producing measurable results, the client can stop.
We also make recommendations based on data. We don’t guess. When someone asks for advice, we point them to our competitive analysis process. That helps them see why we recommend certain services and lets them make an informed choice.
Practical tips for agencies and clients
If you run an agency or buy SEO services, these simple rules make life easier:
- Keep agreements month-to-month when possible.
- Ask for a short verbal commitment of three months to give the work time to show.
- Document onboarding steps and require clients to complete them before work starts.
- Charge up front for the first month to ensure buy-in.
- Walk away from abusive clients. Refund and move on.
- Use data-driven reports and explain recommendations in plain language.
These practices protect your time and keep focus on results. They also reduce the chance of legal fights or wasted work.
Do we use contracts for link building or SEO?
No, we do not usually use contracts. We prefer month-to-month work and ask for a verbal commitment of three months so there is time to show results. We avoid locking clients into long legal agreements because that can trap us into working with people who are a poor fit.
How do we protect ourselves without a contract?
We protect ourselves with clear onboarding, documented deliverables, payment before work starts, and the right to stop work with clients who are abusive or uncooperative. We also require clients to submit intake details before the team begins any task.
What if a client is difficult after buying a package?
If a client becomes abusive or refuses to follow simple steps, we refund and move on. It’s better to lose a small sale than to waste time and create stress for the team. We reserve the right to end relationships that are harmful to our people or our business.
What is a magic sign-in link?
A magic sign-in link is when you enter an email and the system emails you a link to click to log in. There is no password field. It’s a common way to handle login these days. If someone expects a password field, they might think the system is broken, but usually it’s just a different login process.
How long until we expect to see SEO results?
We ask for a minimum of three months to show measurable results. SEO takes time. Three months gives enough runway to implement work, gather data, and see changes. If results are not material, the client can cancel and we will explain what happened and why.
Conclusion
Contracts can feel safe, but they often create worse problems than they solve. We prefer clear, simple systems that focus on results and respect both sides. Month-to-month work, a short verbal commitment, clear onboarding steps, and the right to end relationships when people are abusive keeps our team healthy and our clients happy.
We encourage anyone running an agency or buying SEO to think about fit, not legal lock-in. If we do a good job, you’ll keep buying from us. If we don’t, you can stop. If you become a pain to work with, we will stop as well. That’s fair, and it keeps the focus where it should be: on outcomes, not paperwork.