Effective link-building is essential for any company today. It is what makes your website visible and authoritative online.
High-ranking pages have an average of 3.8x more backlinks than the ones that hold lower positions.
There are so many different SEO link-building tactics. Some are more efficient than others.
So, how to choose the best one?
I’m ready to help you make that decision. I gathered the top 7 strategies that work now.
In this article, I’ll touch on:
- What is link building;
- How to pick a tactic;
- Top modern link-building strategies.
What Is Link Building?
First, let me explain the concept of link building.
It's a process of getting backlinks from other websites to your own. A backlink allows users to go between pages on the internet.
The main purpose of link building is to boost your site's authority. Search engines see your resource as trustworthy and relevant when respected pages link to it.
All of this can bring you more natural traffic and eventually conversions.
However, you need a proper plan to use its full potential.
How to Pick the Suitable Tactic
There are so many strategies available. So, you have to approach the choice thoughtfully.
Begin with outlining your goals and evaluating your audience. Where do they spend time online? Which blogs and forums do they trust?
Also, remember that link building requires time and budget. You have to assess which resources you have and which you are ready to contribute.
I recommend you analyze the actions of your competitors as well. Evaluation of their backlink profiles will help you understand which strategies work for your industry.
What should you focus on?
- Look for patterns in the types of sites linking to them;
- Inspect their content and anchor texts;
- Assess the quality of their backlinks;
You have to identify the areas where they may be lacking. These gaps can become opportunities for you to target.
Plus, you can explore the link-building tactics of professional backlink agencies. They usually have more understanding of what works and what doesn't.
Many agencies publish case studies and success stories. They can give you some inspiration and practical ideas. Plus, professional companies use only ethical practices. So, you will avoid harmful tactics that might result in penalties.
Curious about what to do after gathering these insights? It's pretty simple.
Ensure that the strategy you prefer aligns with your budget and timelines. Consider whether it will scale with your website growth. Plus, don't forget to evaluate its relevancy for your niche.
7 Modern Link Building Tactics
You already know how to deal with the selection of the strategy.
However, it's all theory. Let's move on to some practical suggestions.
I gathered 7 best SEO link-building tactics that actually work. Check them out below, and maybe you'll find a perfect option for yourself!
1. Use PR Link Building
Digital PR is one of the most sustainable link building tactics today.
Why, you ask?
One of the primary benefits of this approach is the quality of links you can obtain. These mentions continue to drive traffic and improve your rankings long after the initial campaign.
Also, beyond SEO, this strategy increases your brand visibility and helps you establish valuable connections.
How does this tactic work?
First, you identify stories and data related to your business that might interest your public. The next step is to create content around it. It could be in the form of a blog post, press release, or infographic.
Then, you have to pitch your creation to journalists and editors who cover related topics. Persuade them to feature your content and add a link to your source.
2. Create Link Bait Content
Link bait content is another powerful strategy.
The main idea is to design compelling materials that will attract links naturally. So, you won't have to spend your time asking for them.
This content can take different forms, like
- Guides and tutorials that cover a topic in great detail;
- Original studies and surveys that include valuable data;
- Visually appealing infographics that summarize complex info in a simple format;
- Controversial pieces that might start discussions;
- Lists of useful tools or resources;
- Different quizzes and calculators.
Remember that even the best link bait content needs a little push to get started. So, you need to promote it through diverse channels. Concentrate on topics that are currently trending.
3. Try to Replicate Competitor Backlinks
The next approach I want to mention is mimicking the successful link-building tactics of your competitors.
Let me describe the steps you should take.
Identify your top SEO rivals that rank higher than you. Then you have to analyze their backlink profiles. You can use tools like Ahrefs or SEMrush for that purpose.
Look for patterns and opportunities within their profiles, including
- Guest articles;
- Resource pages;
- Directories or listings, etc.
You need to evaluate which of their activities have the best results. Reach out to the sites linking to them and suggest your content or additional links.
4. Broken Link Building
Another tactic I want to recommend is broken link building.
How does it work? You identify dead links on other websites and offer your content as a replacement. It's a win-win strategy for both.
You have to find sites in your niche that have materials related to your own. Their audience is likely to find your creations useful as well.
You can use diverse specialized tools to scan the pages and find 404 errors. After doing that, produce a piece that can become a worthy replacement.
Next, contact the website owner. Follow these points:
- Mention the exact location of the broken link;
- Highlight how your contribution can be more valuable;
- Be professional and provide the exact URL you want them to use;
- Follow up if you don't receive the response right away.
5. Using ABC Link Exchange
ABC exchange is among the most popular SEO link-building tactics as well.
According to this strategy, websites agree to exchange links with one another. The idea is to create a network where each participant makes an effort to improve the ranking of others.
Compared to other methods, this one is less pricey. Plus, it helps you build useful connections that might result in future collaborative initiatives.
The first step in ABC exchange is the identification of relevant sites with a good reputation.
Establish contact and discuss how this linking can benefit all of you. Discuss the following details:
- Placements,
- The number of exchanges,
- Quality of links.
Add the links to the designated pages on all websites you discussed. After the implementation, monitor everything and check if the links remain active.
However, I want to emphasize that you should use this tactic smartly. Avoid overusing exchanges and diversify your strategy with other methods.
6. Collaborate with Bloggers
Partnerships with bloggers are another great way to improve your online presence. By using their influence, you can gain more exposure and secure quality backlinks.
You have to find bloggers whose followers align with your target audience. Also, you need to assess their reach. You might use the BuzzSumo tool for that purpose.
Next, craft a personal proposal and suggest a collaboration idea, like
- Guest posts;
- Product reviews;
- Interviews or features;
- Joint giveaways or lives, etc.
Define the terms of the collaboration. Provide your branding requirements and linking requests.
7. Don’t Forget Unlinked Mentions
Lastly, I want to mention the power of unlinked mentions as a link-building tactic.
Want to know what they are? Those are references to your brand or products without an accompanying hyperlink.
You can convert these mentions into clickable links. Here are the steps you should take:
- Use Google Alerts or Mention to monitor your online mentions;
- Track your social media platforms;
- Sort them based on the authority of the referring site and potential impact;
- Create a polite email with a request to add a link;
- Provide the URL you want them to include;
- Acknowledge their work and express appreciation;
- Track responses and follow up if needed.
What Link Building Mistakes You Should Avoid
I'm all done with describing the best SEO link-building tactics.
Now, you should know about some strategies to avoid. These methods might seem attractive at first, because of how fast they bring results. Yet, they can bring some harm in the long run.
So, keep reading and learn which mistakes not to make.
Buying Backlinks on Link Farms
First, stay away from sites that exist solely to sell links and boost SEO artificially. They usually have no editorial control over them.
Search engines penalize those who use manipulative link building techniques. You can even get completely removed from the results.
Moreover, alternatives from link farms are usually low-quality, and they won't give you any value.
PBN
Another thing to avoid is PBNs.
It is a network of sites created specifically to build backlinks to your main pages.
They might provide you with short SEO gains. However, Google considers it a manipulative tactic.
So, you'll probably see a drop in rankings and only damage your reputation.
Forum Link Building
Lastly, I recommend you don't look for links on online forums.
Many forum users perceive them as spammy. Especially, if someone posts them extensively or they're irrelevant to the discussion.
They often come from sites with low authority.
It's better to use these forums to participate in discussions and establish your expertise.
Conclusion
We can all agree that every business today needs a strong link-building plan. It's the best way to get exposure and attract more visitors to your site.
There's always a question of which tactic to use to achieve that. There are so many great methods, and you need to define your objectives and evaluate the strategies of your rivals before deciding.
I hope that my guide was helpful. Try out some of the link-building tactics I described. Maybe one of them will become your ideal solution!
