When you think about search engine optimization (SEO), the first things that come to mind are keywords, website speed and content optimization. However, there is another crucial aspect of SEO that often gets overlooked – link building.
The reason for this is simple: Link building takes a lot of time and effort. But there’s just too much potential left untapped.
In 2023, 67.5% of SEO professionals recognized the impact of backlinks on their content rankings (The SEO Project). And despite challenges like Google algorithm updates, link building still saw an average of $10,000 spent annually (Aira).
So, if you’re not seriously investing in link building, you’re missing out. Let us help you change that with these tried-and-tested link building methods to build a healthy link profile for your website:
What Is Link Building and Why It Matters for 2024
Link building falls under the off-page SEO category.
It’s simply the process of getting other websites to link back to your website. When high-quality and relevant websites link to yours, it signals search engines like Google that your website is valuable and trusted.
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So why should you do it?
“Nobody wants broken links on their site – they diminish the user experience and can adversely reflect on the website’s credibility,” Del Rosario said.
“By addressing this, we’re essentially offering a solution to their problem, replacing a non-functioning link with our high-quality, relevant content – while earning backlinks at the same time.”
Others claim that link building is losing its significance, but let’s be honest – it still plays a crucial role in SEO. Here’s why it matters:
• Evolving Digital PR Practices: Digital PR becomes more popular as link builders gain more experience, with a 433% increase in adoption among seasoned professionals. This highlights the growing significance of public relations in link acquisition efforts
• Content as King: The creation of link-worthy content is rated as the most effective link-building tactic. Long-form content, in particular, is a heavy hitter, generating 77.2% more links than shorter articles.
• Social Media Influence: Social media is used by 61.7% of link builders for outreach campaigns. This results in an average of 22% more links per month, illustrating the power of these channels in amplifying link-building efforts
• SEO Budget Allocation: SEOs allocate 28% of their budget to link building.
These numbers tell us that links still have a place in SEO, whether it’s for your website content or even on social media. Many businesses still prioritize link-building as a strategy to improve their search engine rankings and drive traffic, so not doing it is just a missed opportunity.
So, how do you maximize this? Let’s take a look at the 16 best link building methods in 2024:
1. Get Links From Scraped Content
This strategy is about smartly using data to find link-building opportunities. You use tools like ScreamingFrog to scrape the web for content related to your niche. This can include:
• Articles
• Blog posts
• Forum discussions
The goal? To find places where your website or content could be mentioned and linked.
Once you’ve got a list, the next step is reaching out. This is where your communication skills come into play. You need to craft a message that’s friendly, professional and to the point. Make sure to explain why a backlink to your content would be beneficial for their audience.
Here’s a simple template you can use:
This approach is all about mutual benefit – they link to you, and you enhance their content. It’s a win-win!
The key to this strategy is personalization. The more tailored your message is to their article, the likelier you’ll get a positive response.
2. Guest Blogging
If you’re looking to boost your backlink profile while establishing yourself as an authority, guest blogging is a great option. It involves writing content for other websites in your niche to gain several types of backlinks, such as:
• In-content links: These are links within the body of the article that point back to your website.
• Author bio links: These are links in the author’s bio section at the end of the article that lead to your website or social media profiles.
• Editorial links: These are links included by the editors of the website in your guest post.
“This tactic requires that you’ve genuinely created high-quality content that has attracted significant traffic. It’s about walking the talk,” said Del Rosario.
“If the content you’re showcasing doesn’t live up to the claims made in your outreach message, you might end up getting ignored.”
For instance, if you’re an SEO expert, you could write a guest post for a marketing blog with a backlink to your website in the bio or within the content itself.
Screenshot from Search Engine Journal (SEJ)
Keep in mind that not all websites accept guest blogging, so make sure to do your research and find ones that are open to it. An editorial guideline could look like this:
Screenshot from SEJ Guest Contributor Guidelines
Here are a few things to consider:
• Relevance: The site should be relevant to your industry or niche.
• Authority: Look for sites with high domain authority for better SEO impact.
• Audience Engagement: Check if the site has active reader engagement through comments or social shares.
• Content Quality: Ensure the website publishes high-quality, informative content.
• Guidelines Compliance: Understand and follow the site’s content guidelines to increase your chances of being published.
Ask yourself: What unique value can I provide to this website’s audience? How can my expertise and knowledge benefit them? These questions help you come up with a guest blog idea that resonates with the audience and ultimately brings in more types of backlinks.
3. Hiring Recent Graduates
Here’s a unique and often overlooked link-building strategy: leveraging the networks of recent graduates. The idea revolves around tapping into the alum networks and resources of educational institutions.
Here’s how you can execute this strategy:
• Identify Opportunities: If you’ve recently hired graduates, check if their colleges have a career section on their website that features alum success stories.
• Leverage Alum Networks: Reach out to these educational institutions, highlighting how hiring their graduates has been beneficial for your company. Request them to feature this success story on their website, including a link back to your company’s website.
• Engage with Career Centers: Many universities have career centers that are keen to showcase the achievements of their alums. By providing them with a compelling narrative about the graduate’s role and success in your company, you get a valuable .edu backlink.
This is a great way to showcase the value you place on young talent, boosting your company’s image as a supportive and progressive workplace.
4. Link Out to Other Websites
It might seem counterintuitive, but linking out to other websites actually benefits your link building methods.
By providing outbound links to relevant and high-quality sources, you establish yourself as a valuable resource for readers. This is on top of the potential for these websites to reciprocate by linking back to your content.
A statistic-based blog is a good way to do this:
Screenshot from 105 PPC Statistics You Must Know for 2023
There are four things to consider when going with this strategy, though:
• Relevance: The websites you link out to should be relevant to your content and provide additional value for readers.
• Authority: The websites you link out to should have a good reputation and are considered authoritative sources in their respective fields.
• Quality: Only include links to high-quality, credible websites that add value to your readers’ experience.
• Anchor Text: Use descriptive and natural anchor text for your outbound links rather than generic phrases like “click here.” This not only helps with SEO but also provides a better user experience
When you find a good website, the next question is how do you reach out to them for a backlink?
Like the first strategy, you’d want to offer something of value in exchange for the backlink.
“When negotiating for paid backlinks, a key strategy we’ve found to be successful is to emphasize the prospect of a long-term collaboration,” said Del Rosario.
“When you communicate that it’s not a one-off transaction but rather a recurring partnership, there’s often room to negotiate lower prices.”
This includes sending them a relevant and well-written guest post or simply reaching out and politely asking if they’d be willing to link to your content.
While this might seem like a time-consuming approach, it pays off in the long run with relationships built and backlinks.
5. Build Meaningful Relationships With Industry Leaders
Influencers, thought leaders, industry experts – they all have one thing in common: a considerable following and influence. These relationships lead to different types of backlinks from their websites, social media shares and even collaborations on content.
The role of social media in this strategy is paramount.
Platforms like X (previously Twitter), LinkedIn and industry-specific forums provide direct access to these thought leaders. Engaging with their content, sharing thoughtful insights and initiating conversations are vital steps in building a rapport.
As these relationships grow, opportunities often arise, such as:
• Guest posts
• Shared content
• Mutual backlinks
While you’re not really “building links” with them with this strategy, you are building meaningful relationships that lead to organic, high-quality backlinks in the future. Be authentic in your interactions, offer value and be patient – building these relationships takes time.
6. Reclaim Unlinked Mentions
You’ve linked out and started building relationships with people that matter. But what if your brand or website has been mentioned in a post or article without an actual link?
This happens more often than you might think.
Sometimes, the writer simply forgot to include the link; other times, they intentionally left it out. Either way, this is an opportunity for you to reclaim that unlinked mention and turn it into a valuable backlink.
The process typically involves monitoring the web for mentions of your brand and then reaching out to the site owners to request the addition of a link.
When reaching out to claim these unlinked mentions, it’s essential to be courteous and concise. Your message should acknowledge their mention of your brand and politely request the addition of a link.
Here’s a template you can use for your outreach:
This approach shows appreciation for the mention while making it easy for them to add the link. The goal here is to make the process as seamless as possible for them, increasing the likelihood of securing that valuable backlink.
7. Promote Your Infographics
Sometimes, people find plain text boring, and infographics are a great way to spice things up. Infographics combine visual elements like images, charts and data with text to present information in a visually appealing and easily digestible format.
When shared on social media or included in guest posts, infographics attract backlinks from other websites looking to use visually appealing content. And since infographics are highly shareable, they also lead to increased brand awareness and attract even more backlinks in the future.
We love this infographic made by Semrush, which they then linked to their full blog post:
Screenshot from Semrush’s LinkedIn account
You can also do the same thing and promote your infographics on various channels, such as:
• Email Newsletters: Share with your email subscribers who might find it informative.
• Social Media Platforms: Utilize X, LinkedIn, Facebook (now Meta) and Instagram for broader reach.
• Blogs and Articles: Embed in relevant blog posts on your website or guest posts.
• Forums and Online Communities: Share in niche forums or communities like Reddit.
These visuals are a fresh and creative way to attract quality backlinks while promoting your brand at the same time.
8. Enhance Your Media Presence
It doesn’t hurt to get your content featured in media publications like Forbes and Huffington Post. These high-authority sites are constantly looking for quality content to share with their readers. So, make sure that you’re top-of-mind in relevant content topics.
An excellent platform to do this is Help a Reporter Out (HARO), a hub for journalists and writers looking for sources to quote in their articles. You can sign up as a source and get notifications on relevant topics to pitch your content.
But it’s not a pitch-and-forget affair here. You actually have to follow some guidelines to succeed:
• Respond Promptly: Check HARO emails regularly and respond quickly to relevant queries.
• Demonstrate Expertise: Clearly explain your expertise related to the query.
• Stay on Topic: Ensure your response is directly relevant to the journalist’s request.
• Avoid Backlink Demands: Do not insist on backlinks; focus on providing value.
• Provide Complete Answers: Offer comprehensive responses, including a short bio and contact information.
(Read more: 25 Tips To Write a Successful HARO Pitch [Templates + Examples] | October 2023)
Since you’re competing with other sources for attention, make sure to stand out from the rest with your pitch. Be concise and authentic in your responses, and don’t forget to mention any relevant credentials or previous media exposure.
9. Develop Useful Industry Tools
The principle behind backlinking is to help users find what they’re looking for without making another Google Search. That’s why creating tools and resources that publishers can link to is a good idea.
For instance, it’s not hard for a design-centric website to refer to Canva or Photoshop as a graphic design tool in an article or for an SEO agency to link to a keyword research tool like Ahrefs in their blog post.
While not everyone is a SaaS company, you can still provide excellent tools, such as budget templates, cost calculators and marketing plans that are relevant to your industry. This allows you to offer value for users and publishers looking for resources to use in their content.
10. In-Depth Resources
In-depth resources are a significant step up from standard blog posts.
They offer comprehensive coverage on a particular topic, providing detailed insights, extensive research and actionable steps. These resources are usually longer, more detailed and designed to be a definitive source on a subject, making them highly valuable for readers and great for earning backlinks.
“It’s important to remember that quality content is vital in link building strategies,” Del Rosario said.
“A longer, more detailed article not only provides more value to the readers, but it also offers ample opportunities to incorporate relevant and valuable links without coming across as spammy.”
They come in various forms, such as:
• eBooks: Detailed guides on specific topics, perfect for in-depth exploration.
• How-to Guides: Step-by-step instructions on accomplishing specific tasks or learning new skills.
• Ultimate Guides: Comprehensive overviews covering all aspects of a topic.
Image from The Ultimate SEO Checklist for 2024
• White Papers: In-depth reports on specific issues, presenting original research or findings.
• Case Studies: Detailed analysis of specific examples illustrating broader principles or practices.
Screenshot from Digital Marketing Case Studies Page
Using different in-depth guide formats lets you cater to different types of audiences.
For instance, case studies are great for showcasing your expertise and success in a particular industry, while how-to guides cater to readers looking for practical knowledge and actionable advice. Ultimate guides are for those seeking a complete understanding of a topic, while white papers provide authoritative insights and statistics.
11. Create Comprehensive Resource Pages
A comprehensive resource page is a curated collection of links and resources on a specific topic. These pages are meant to provide extensive resources for users, making them go-to destinations for information on a given subject.
Resource pages are particularly beneficial for:
• Industry experts
• Educational websites
• Niche-specific bloggers
By consolidating a wide array of resources, you offer significant value to your audience. For instance, a tech blog might have a resource page with links to coding tutorials, software tools and industry reports, providing a one-stop shop for tech enthusiasts.
Screenshot: Ahrefs’ Free SEO tools page
So, why do this in the context of link building?
For one, websites could notice and reciprocate with a link back to your page. But even if they don’t, these pages are likely to attract more traffic and establish you as a reputable source of information in your niche.
Plus, because resource pages are handy, they naturally attract backlinks from other websites that find your collection of resources valuable.
12. Newsjacking
Securing backlinks requires trust. Securing trust involves thought leadership and knowledge of recent trends, and there is no better way to showcase these qualities than by being relevant in the current news.
Newsjacking is a link acquisition strategy that involves capitalizing on trending or topical news stories and inserting your brand, product or service into the conversation.
Here are some examples of digital marketing news leveraged for blog content:
Gathering information to “newsjack” is simple:
• Follow industry news outlets and stay updated on current events.
• Use social media monitoring tools to track trending topics and conversations related to your niche.
• Keep an eye on popular hashtags on X, Instagram and other platforms.
• Join relevant online communities and participate in discussions.
The key here is to be fast without sacrificing the added value to the conversation. With this strategy, you attract backlinks and enhance your brand’s authority and credibility.
13. Podcast Guesting
Podcasting has been around for quite some time, but its popularity has exploded in recent years. By 2021, there were over two million podcasts globally and counting.
Image from Oberlo
Guesting on relevant podcasts allows you to reach a new audience while also building relationships with podcast hosts and potentially securing backlinks from their websites.
Don’t just pick any podcast to appear on – choose ones that align with your brand and target audience. Before being a guest, thoroughly research the show’s topics, format and audience to ensure a good fit.
You can also ask if the podcast host would be willing to include a link to your website or social media in the episode’s show notes. This helps you drive traffic and gain backlinks.
14. Video Content Creation
Did you know that creating videos also builds backlinks?
Videos can attract backlinks both directly and indirectly.
For instance, if your video is informative or entertaining, other websites might embed it in their content, providing a direct link to your YouTube channel or associated website. If the video is hosted on your website, you can also include a link to it in the description or comments section.
This strategy hinges on producing quality, informative and engaging videos that viewers find valuable enough to share or reference.
15. Repair Broken Links
Repairing broken links is an effective SEO strategy. It involves finding external links that point to non-existing pages on your website and reaching out to the web admins to update them. This not only recovers lost link value but also improves user experience and website credibility.
The process starts with identifying broken links using tools like Ahrefs or SEMrush.
Once you’ve identified a broken link, the next step is to contact the webmaster of the linking site. Your outreach should be helpful and concise, providing them with the correct URL.
Here’s a template for your outreach:
You can use this template for both internal and external broken links. Remember to follow up if you don’t receive a response after a week or two.
Don’t forget to monitor your website regularly for new broken links, as they can pop up at any time. Repairing them promptly ensures the continued success of your link-building strategy.
16. Outsource Link Building
All this sounds like a lot of work, right? Well, it is. But don’t worry; you can always outsource to SEO link building services.
Outsourcing to SEO link building services frees up valuable time and resources, allowing you to focus on other aspects of your business. And there are several options out there, from hiring a link-building agency to freelance outreach specialists.
Whatever route you choose, make sure to do your research and find someone you can trust.
Here’s a quick checklist you can use:
• Proven Track Record: Look for evidence of successful link acquisition campaigns they’ve executed.
• Transparency: The agency should be clear about its link building strategies and reporting.
• Ethical Practices: Ensure they use white-hat SEO techniques to avoid penalties.
• Industry Experience: Prefer an agency with experience in your specific industry.
• Communication and Support: Good communication is critical for a successful partnership.
Outsourcing comes with its risks, so it’s crucial to choose the right partner for your business.
Build a Healthy Link Profile With Thrive Today
Link building is deceptively simple – it’s just getting other websites to link to yours, right? Wrong. As we’ve discussed, there are many factors to consider in creating a successful and sustainable link-building strategy.
But don’t let that discourage you. With the right approach and methods, you can build a healthy link profile that will benefit your website for years to come.
With Thrive, you get access to a team of experts who have years of experience in link building. Our SEO link building services prioritize transparency, ethical practices and open communication with our clients.
So, if you want to see actual results, build your links with Thrive!
