Terms of Services

Updated Date: July 8, 2025

These Terms of Service outline the rules and conditions that apply when you use the website and services offered by Citation Forge. By accessing our website or purchasing any of our SEO services, you agree to be legally bound by these Terms.

Citation Forge is a digital marketing agency based in India, offering services such as Local SEO, Citation Building, Link Building, and Guest Posting to clients around the world. These Terms are designed to protect both you (the client) and us (the service provider), and to ensure a clear understanding of our working relationship.

Please read these Terms carefully before engaging with us. They apply to all users of our services, regardless of your location. Additional policies, such as our Privacy Policy and Refund Policy, are considered part of these Terms and should be reviewed alongside this document.

Acceptance of Terms

By accessing our website, contacting us, or purchasing any of the services offered by Citation Forge, you agree that you have read, understood, and accepted these Terms of Service in full. If you do not agree with any part of these Terms, you should not use our website or proceed with any service request.

These Terms apply to all visitors, clients, and users who engage with our website or services, regardless of geographic location. Your continued use of our platform or services after any changes to these Terms are posted will be considered your acceptance of those updates.

In addition to these Terms, you also agree to be bound by our:

• Privacy Policy, which explains how we collect and use your personal data, and
• Refund Policy, which outlines the conditions and eligibility for service refunds.

If you are entering into this agreement on behalf of a business, company, or other legal entity, you confirm that you have the authority to bind that entity to these Terms.

Key Terms and Meaning

For the purpose of these Terms of Service, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth below:

• “Citation Forge,” “we,” “our,” or “us” refers to the digital marketing agency registered and operated from India, providing SEO-related services to clients worldwide.
• “Client,” “you,” or “your” refers to any individual, business, or organization that accesses our website, communicates with us, or purchases our services.
• “Website” refers to our official website located at https://citationforge.com/, including all pages, content, and features available through the domain.
• “Services” refers to all SEO and digital marketing solutions offered by Citation Forge, including but not limited to Local Citation Building, Link Building, Guest Posting, and Local SEO Services.
• “Order” refers to any request for services placed by the Client, whether through email, chat, contact form, or any other form of direct communication.
• “Deliverables” refers to the final work, reports, links, or other outcomes provided to the Client as part of the service agreement.
• “Third-Party Site” refers to any external website or platform that is not owned or controlled by Citation Forge, but which may be used in the course of delivering services (e.g., guest post placements or citation directories).
• “Business Days” means Monday through Friday, excluding public holidays observed in India.
• “PayPal” refers to the online payment system used by Citation Forge to collect payments for its services.

These definitions are intended to clarify terms used throughout this agreement and ensure a consistent understanding between both parties.

Scope of Services

Citation Forge provides SEO and digital marketing services to clients worldwide. All services are custom-tailored based on the client’s goals, industry, and specific instructions. The scope of each project is defined through direct communication between the client and our team before any work begins.

Our core services include, but are not limited to:

Local Citation Building

We manually create and update business listings on high-authority directories to improve your local SEO presence. All listings are submitted based on the details you provide, and we ensure accuracy, consistency, and relevance across platforms.

Link Building

We acquire backlinks from niche-relevant websites to help improve your website’s authority and search engine rankings. We only use white-hat techniques and rely on trusted methods such as manual outreach, niche edits, and contextual placements.

Guest Posting

We offer high-quality guest posting services where content is written and published on relevant third-party websites. These posts include backlinks to your site and are designed to improve your SEO and visibility. Please note that while we carefully vet all partner sites, we do not control third-party platforms and cannot guarantee link permanence.

Local SEO Services

We provide ongoing local SEO strategies including keyword optimization, Google Business Profile support, competitor analysis, and location-specific content to help businesses rank in their target areas.

Custom Orders

We understand that each business is unique. If you require a service that falls outside our standard offerings, we’re happy to discuss custom solutions based on your objectives. All custom services must be confirmed in writing before work begins.

Service Limitations

• We do not guarantee specific search engine rankings or performance outcomes.
• Results vary based on competition, website condition, content quality, and other factors beyond our control.
• We do not offer black-hat SEO tactics or any strategies that violate search engine guidelines.
• Once work begins, all services are delivered as outlined in the confirmed agreement or communication thread.

User Obligations

By using our website or purchasing any of our services, you agree to fulfill the following responsibilities as a client of Citation Forge. These obligations are important to ensure that our team can deliver high-quality results and maintain a smooth working relationship.

Provide Accurate and Complete Information

You agree to provide clear, correct, and complete information when communicating with us, including:

• Your full name or business name
• Email address and contact number
• Website URL(s)
• Service requirements and goals
• Business details for local citations or guest posts

Any delay, error, or omission caused by incorrect information may affect the performance or delivery of services, for which we will not be held responsible.

Timely Communication

You must respond to our requests, questions, or clarifications in a timely manner. Failure to provide necessary information or approvals within a reasonable timeframe may delay the project or affect outcomes.

Compliance with Laws and Guidelines

You are solely responsible for ensuring that:

• Your website complies with applicable laws and regulations in your country or region.
• The content or links we create for your business do not promote illegal, unethical, or prohibited materials, such as adult content, hate speech, fake news, or black-hat SEO tactics.

We reserve the right to reject any project that violates our content or ethical guidelines.

Payment Responsibility

You agree to pay for services in full, as agreed upon, before the work begins. All payments must be made through PayPal, and you are responsible for any transaction fees or currency conversion charges.

Use of Deliverables

You may use the content, links, or reports we deliver for your own business purposes, but you may not resell, redistribute, or reproduce them without written consent unless explicitly allowed in the service agreement.

No Misuse of Our Services

You agree not to:

• Copy, clone, or replicate our service models or processes
• Misrepresent your identity or business intentions
• Submit fraudulent orders
• Attempt to exploit system bugs or vulnerabilities on our website

Any misuse may lead to immediate suspension or refusal of service without a refund.

Ordering and Payment

At Citation Forge, our ordering process is designed to be simple, secure, and flexible to meet the needs of each client. This section outlines how you can place an order for our services and the terms related to payment.

How to Place an Order

To order any of our SEO services, you may contact us directly via:

• Website contact form
• Email: hello@citationforge.com
• Live chat

Once we understand your specific needs, our team will prepare a customized service proposal or quote. This will outline:

• The scope of work
• Deliverables
• Timeline
• Total service cost

You will need to confirm your acceptance of the quote or agreement in writing (email or chat) before we proceed with any work.

Payment Terms

All services must be paid in full before work begins unless otherwise agreed upon in writing.

• Payment Method: We currently accept payments only via PayPal.
• Invoice: An official PayPal invoice will be issued upon confirmation of your order.
• Currency: All prices are typically quoted and payable in USD, unless another currency is mutually agreed upon.
• Transaction Fees: You are responsible for any PayPal-related transaction or conversion fees, if applicable.

Payment Confirmation

Once payment is received:

• We will confirm your order via email or chat.
• Your project will be scheduled, and work will begin according to the agreed timeframe.

If payment is not completed within a reasonable period after order confirmation, your project may be delayed or canceled.

Refunds

Our refund terms are governed by our separate Refund Policy. By placing an order, you acknowledge that you have read and agreed to the conditions stated in that policy.

Failure to Pay

If payment is not made, or if a PayPal chargeback or dispute is filed without prior discussion, we reserve the right to:

• Suspend or cancel your service
• Block future access to our services
• Take necessary legal or collection actions, if applicable

Refund Policy

All refund-related terms and conditions are outlined in our official Refund Policy, which is available at:

👉 https://citationforge.com/refund-policy/

By placing an order with Citation Forge, you confirm that you have read, understood, and agreed to the terms stated in that policy.

Please note:

• Refunds are not guaranteed and are assessed based on the details of each project.
• We encourage all clients to review the Refund Policy carefully before making a purchase.
• If you have any concerns about your order, you must contact us at hello@citationforge.com within the timeframes outlined in our refund terms.

If a refund is approved, it will be processed back to your original PayPal payment method within the time specified in our policy.

Service Delivery

Once payment has been received and the service scope is confirmed, we begin the execution phase based on your specific requirements. Our goal is to deliver high-quality SEO services in a timely and transparent manner.

Delivery Timeline

Each service comes with an estimated delivery timeline, which is communicated to you before the project begins. While we strive to meet all deadlines, actual turnaround times may vary depending on:

• The complexity of your request
• The volume of work in progress
• The speed of your responses or approvals

If delays are expected due to technical or unforeseen reasons, we will notify you as early as possible.

Client Cooperation

Timely delivery depends on your responsiveness. If we request additional information or clarification and do not receive it within a reasonable period, the project may be paused or delayed until the necessary input is provided.

Mode of Delivery

All deliverables will be provided via email or your preferred communication channel, in formats such as:

• Google Sheets or Excel reports
• URLs and access to live listings or guest posts
• Content files (where applicable)
• Screenshots or documentation

You are responsible for reviewing all deliverables within a reasonable timeframe and notifying us of any concerns.

Third-Party Dependencies

For services involving third-party platforms (such as guest post publications or citation listings), Citation Forge acts as a facilitator. While we make every effort to work only with reputable sources, we cannot guarantee:

• The permanent availability of links
• Future changes made by third-party sites (e.g., content edits, link removal)
• Downtime, errors, or penalties related to external platforms

We are not liable for issues caused by actions taken by third-party sites after the service has been successfully delivered.

Non-Delivery Cases

If a project cannot be delivered due to circumstances beyond our control such as platform restrictions, false information provided by the client, or client unresponsiveness we will communicate this with you and suggest next steps. In such cases, eligibility for a refund will be determined in accordance with our Refund Policy.

Revisions and Replacements

At Citation Forge, we strive to deliver services that meet the goals and expectations discussed before the project begins. However, we understand that revisions may occasionally be necessary to ensure client satisfaction.

This section outlines how revisions and replacements are handled across different service types.

Revisions

Revisions are minor edits or updates to the deliverables that were clearly agreed upon during the project planning phase.

We offer limited free revisions, provided that:

• The revision request is submitted within 7 days of delivery.
• The request does not conflict with the original scope of work.
• The requested changes are reasonable and based on factual errors, formatting issues, or minor content tweaks.

Revision requests that involve changing keywords, URLs, topics, or the overall direction of the service after delivery will be considered new tasks and may be subject to additional charges.

Replacements (Guest Posts & Links)

For services like Guest Posting and Link Building, the following replacement policy applies:

• If a live link is removed or deindexed by the third-party website within 30 days of delivery, we will offer a one-time free replacement on a similar quality site.
• We do not guarantee link permanence, as third-party sites control their content and may update or remove listings without notice.
• After the 30-day period, no replacements will be issued unless a prior long-term placement guarantee was part of your order.

Citation Replacements

For Local Citation Building, if any listings are rejected or not accepted due to formatting or directory policy:

• We will attempt to fix the listing or submit to an alternative equivalent directory at no extra cost.
• Citations submitted using incorrect or incomplete business data provided by the client are not eligible for free replacement.

Custom Services

For custom or bundled services, the revision and replacement terms will be clearly outlined in the order agreement. If not explicitly mentioned, our standard policies in this section apply.

How to Request a Revision or Replacement

To request a revision or replacement, please contact us at hello@citationforge.com within the allowed time window. Be sure to include:

• Your order reference or email trail
• A clear description of the issue
• Screenshots or links if applicable

We’ll review your request and respond promptly with a solution.

Intellectual Property

All materials, content, and deliverables provided by Citation Forge as part of our services are subject to the following intellectual property terms and usage rights:

Ownership of Deliverables

Once the full payment for a service has been received, the client is granted the right to use the deliverables for their personal or business use, as intended in the scope of the project. This includes:

• Published guest posts (with backlinks)
• Citation listings
• SEO reports
• Custom-written content (where applicable)

However, unless explicitly agreed upon in writing, Citation Forge retains the copyright to the original content created (such as guest post articles), especially when it is published on third-party websites.

License to Use

You are granted a non-exclusive, non-transferable license to use the deliverables provided to you for your own website, business, or brand. This license does not permit resale, duplication, or redistribution of any materials without our prior written consent.

You may:

• Use the backlinks for SEO purposes
• Publish provided deliverables on your website if ownership has been transferred
• Reference the work in your business operations

You may not:

• Resell or repurpose the content for third-party projects
• Remove author credits from guest posts, if required by the publisher
• Copy or reuse our strategies, tools, templates, or proprietary methods

Third-Party Content and Platforms

For guest posts, links, and citations published on third-party websites, Citation Forge does not own or control those platforms. As such:

• The third-party publisher holds the final rights to remove, edit, or modify the content at any time.
• We are not liable for content takedowns, rebranding, or editorial changes made by the external sites after publication.

Use of Client Materials

If you provide us with content, brand assets, business details, or access credentials to complete a service:

• You confirm that you have the legal right to use and share those materials.
• You grant Citation Forge a limited license to use those assets only for the duration and scope of the agreed service.

We do not claim ownership of any materials you provide and will not use them beyond the project scope.

Confidentiality

At Citation Forge, we respect the confidentiality of every client and take all reasonable steps to protect the information you share with us throughout the course of our professional relationship.

This section outlines how we handle confidential data and what both parties can expect regarding discretion and privacy.

Client Information

Any personal, business, or project-related information you provide to us including but not limited to:

• Business name and contact details
• Website credentials or analytics data
• SEO strategies or marketing plans
• Payment and billing information will be treated as confidential and used only for the purpose of delivering our services to you.

We do not share, sell, or disclose your information to any third party outside of our service providers (e.g., PayPal, HubSpot) unless required by law.

Internal Access Control

Access to your information is restricted to authorized members of our team who need it to carry out their roles. All team members are trained in safe data handling practices and are expected to maintain full confidentiality at all times.

Third-Party Partners

When working with trusted third-party platforms (such as guest posting sites, citation directories, or payment processors), only the necessary data will be shared and solely for the purpose of completing your service. Each third party is governed by its own privacy policy, which we encourage you to review.

We never authorize any third party to use your information for their own marketing or unrelated purposes.

Non-Disclosure

Unless otherwise agreed in writing, both parties (Citation Forge and the client) agree not to disclose or misuse any confidential information shared during the service engagement. This includes internal communication, strategies, pricing, or other sensitive details.

Exceptions

Confidential information may be disclosed if:

• Required by law or court order
• Necessary to enforce these Terms or protect our legal rights
• Previously known or independently developed without reference to confidential material

Data Retention and Deletion

We retain project-related information only for as long as necessary to fulfill the service, comply with legal obligations, or resolve disputes. You may request the deletion of your project data at any time by contacting us at hello@citationforge.com, unless retention is required by law (e.g., for tax or audit purposes).

Third-Party Links & Websites

As part of our SEO services, Citation Forge may publish content, create citations, or acquire backlinks on websites that are not owned or operated by us. These are referred to as third-party websites, and they play a key role in delivering value through guest posting, link building, and citation campaigns.

No Control Over External Sites

While we carefully select and vet the platforms we work with, we do not own or control these third-party websites. Therefore, we cannot guarantee:

• The ongoing availability of published content or backlinks
• The permanent functionality or uptime of external sites
• That the site’s content or design will remain unchanged
• The site’s compliance with future search engine policies or algorithm updates

Once the content is live on a third-party platform, that site’s owners may make changes, remove links, or alter their editorial standards without notice.

No Endorsement or Liability

Links to third-party websites included in our deliverables do not imply endorsement of the content, services, or opinions found on those sites. We are not responsible for:

• The accuracy, legality, or relevance of third-party content
• Security or data collection practices of those platforms
• Any damage, loss, or penalties arising from actions taken by third-party site owners

Clients are encouraged to independently review the websites where their content is published and understand the policies of those platforms.

Publisher Decisions

In some cases, third-party publishers may:

• Modify content formatting or editorial structure
• Add disclaimers or tags (e.g., “sponsored” or “guest post”)
• Move the content to a different section or archive
• Reject publication after initial approval due to policy changes

We do our best to avoid such issues, but we are not liable for publisher decisions that occur after delivery.

Search Engine Impact

We do not control how search engines treat third-party links or whether they index, rank, or penalize specific external sites. SEO results vary and depend on a combination of technical, content, and off-site factors some of which are outside our control.

Prohibited Activities

To maintain the quality, reputation, and legal compliance of our services, Citation Forge reserves the right to refuse or discontinue service to anyone found engaging in activities that violate the terms outlined below.

By using our website or purchasing our services, you agree not to engage in any of the following prohibited actions:

Misuse of Services

You must not:

• Submit false, misleading, or incomplete information in your order
• Attempt to manipulate our service process, systems, or staff
• Reuse or resell deliverables without permission
• Request services that involve black-hat SEO or spam tactics

Unethical SEO Requests

We strictly avoid unethical or non-compliant SEO practices. You may not:

• Request links from hacked, adult, gambling, or illegal websites
• Ask us to use cloaking, link farms, PBNs (Private Blog Networks), or hidden text
• Suggest manipulative strategies that violate Google’s Webmaster Guidelines

We reserve the right to cancel any order that we believe may put your website or our reputation at risk.

Violation of Third-Party Rights

You must not submit or ask us to use:

• Content that infringes on the intellectual property rights of others
• Trademarks, brand names, or copyrighted materials you don’t own
• Business listings or citations for companies you do not have the right to represent

Inappropriate Content

You may not request or promote content that:

• Includes hate speech, discrimination, or harassment
• Promotes violence, illegal activities, or false claims
• Contains adult or NSFW content
• Violates any local, national, or international law

Abuse or Harassment

You must maintain respectful and professional communication with our team at all times. Any form of abusive language, harassment, or threats toward our staff will result in immediate service termination without refund.

Security Violations

You may not:

• Attempt to access, modify, or interfere with our website or systems
• Distribute malware, spam, or harmful scripts through any interaction with our site
• Attempt to extract our internal processes or data through scraping or reverse engineering

Citation Forge reserves the right to suspend or terminate services at any time, without notice, if any of the above activities are suspected or confirmed. Violators may also be permanently banned from future use of our services.

Disclaimer

All services provided by Citation Forge are offered on an “as-is” and “as-available” basis. While we use industry best practices and proven strategies to deliver high-quality SEO services, we do not make any guarantees regarding specific outcomes, rankings, or traffic improvements.

Search engine optimization is influenced by a wide range of factors, many of which are beyond our control including search engine algorithm updates, website structure, content quality, competition, and user behavior. As such, results may vary from one client to another.

We are not responsible for:

• Changes in search engine algorithms that may affect your rankings
• Penalties, drops in traffic, or loss of visibility resulting from on-site issues or third-party actions
• Decisions made by third-party websites where guest posts, links, or citations are published
• Temporary or permanent removal of backlinks or listings by external publishers

You agree to use our services at your own discretion and acknowledge that no SEO service can ethically promise guaranteed rankings or traffic within a specific time frame.

Nothing contained in our website, service communication, or deliverables shall be construed as legal, financial, or professional advice unless explicitly stated.

Limitation of Liability

To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, Citation Forge shall not be held liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, special, or consequential damages arising from the use of our website, services, deliverables, or from any errors or omissions in the content we provide.

This includes, but is not limited to:

• Loss of profits, revenue, or business opportunities
• Loss of website traffic or search engine visibility
• Issues caused by third-party websites, platforms, or service providers
• Delays in service delivery due to circumstances beyond our control
• Any changes in search engine rankings or penalties that may occur

Our total liability for any claim related to our services shall not exceed the total amount paid by you for the specific service in question.

You agree that your use of our services is at your sole risk, and you are solely responsible for evaluating the fitness of our services for your business needs.

This limitation of liability applies even if we have been advised of the possibility of such damages and regardless of the legal theory under which the claim arises.

Termination

Both you (the client) and Citation Forge have the right to terminate a service agreement at any time, subject to the conditions outlined below.

Client-Initiated Termination

You may request to cancel a project before it begins by contacting us at hello@citationforge.com. If no work has started and payment has been made, your eligibility for a refund will be determined according to our Refund Policy.

Once work has started or deliverables are in progress, cancellation requests may not be eligible for a full or partial refund unless otherwise agreed in writing.

Citation Forge-Initiated Termination

We reserve the right to terminate or cancel your order at any time, without refund, if:

• You violate any part of these Terms
• You engage in prohibited activities or unethical practices
• You fail to communicate or provide necessary project details after repeated requests
• Your behavior toward our team is abusive, threatening, or unprofessional

In some cases, we may offer partial refunds or pause services depending on the situation, but this is done at our sole discretion.

Effect of Termination

Upon termination:

• You will no longer have access to any pending or in-progress services
• Any data, deliverables, or work completed up to the termination date will be provided (where applicable)
• All obligations for payment, confidentiality, and intellectual property that existed before termination will continue to remain in effect.

International Users

Citation Forge operates from India but proudly serves clients across various countries worldwide. If you are accessing our website or using our services from outside India, you are responsible for ensuring that your actions comply with the local laws and regulations of your country or region.

By using our services, you acknowledge and agree that:

• Your personal data may be collected, processed, and stored in India or in jurisdictions where our service providers (such as PayPal, Google, or HubSpot) operate.
• Cross-border data transfers are necessary for the performance of our services and are handled in accordance with our Privacy Policy.
• You are solely responsible for complying with any local restrictions or laws that may apply to digital marketing, SEO, or online transactions in your country.

We make no representation that our services are appropriate, available, or legally permitted for use in every country. If your local laws restrict the use of certain SEO or link-building practices, you must refrain from using our services in those areas.

Amendments

Citation Forge reserves the right to update, modify, or revise these Terms of Service at any time to reflect changes in our services, legal requirements, industry standards, or business practices.

When changes are made:

• The updated Terms will be published on this page with the revised “Effective Date” at the top.
• Your continued use of our website or services after any changes have been posted will be considered your acceptance of the revised Terms.
• We encourage you to review this page periodically to stay informed of any updates.

If a material change is made that significantly affects your rights or obligations, we may attempt to provide additional notice, such as via email (if you’re an active client) or a notice on our website.

If you do not agree with the updated Terms, you should stop using our services and contact us before placing any new orders.

Contact Information

If you have any questions, concerns, or requests related to these Terms of Service, our services, or any of the policies mentioned, please feel free to contact us. We’re here to assist you and provide clarity where needed.

You can reach us at: 📧 Email: hello@citationforge.com