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Created on September 11, 2026 | Updated on September 11, 2026

How to Get Backlinks: 27 Tested Ways (With Examples)

SEO Articles
How to Get Backlinks

Even though many things in SEO have changed with AI search, the importance of getting high-quality backlinks wasn’t one of them.

But some brands still use old tactics and don't adapt to the changing search landscape. Others don't use link building at all.

This gives you an opportunity to get ahead.

With backlinks, you can:

  • Make your website more credible and trustworthy.
  • Increase your chances of being cited in AI Overviews and other AI tools.
  • Attract more referral traffic and improve your search visibility.

And these are just a few of the benefits.

The most relieving part is that building backlinks is not as difficult as you may think.

Of course, you can find “very attractive” backlink packages online where you pay $100 for a hundred “high-quality” links.

But the truth is that these backlinks are usually low quality. Pretty often, they can even hurt your website. And we can assume that’s not what you really want.

So, how do you get good backlinks?

Let’s find out.

In this guide, we’ll explore 27 tested ways to get trustworthy backlinks.

We’ll look at different approaches with real examples. Besides that, we’ll give you modern and practical tips to help you make the most of each tactic you choose.

Before, backlinks were primarily used to strengthen your SEO. They still do. But today, they can bring much more than that.

One of the biggest advantages is the opportunity to become more visible in AI tools.

But to get this benefit, SEOs and marketing teams need to do more than just build backlinks. And one of the most important things is to create content that provides value beyond SEO.

Let’s break this down.

  • Tip 1: Focus on topical relevance: Create content around topics that are relevant to your niche. And get backlinks from websites in the same space.
  • Tip 2: Build authentic and unique content: Give people something they can’t easily find somewhere else.
  • Tip 3: Make your content genuinely useful: Create something users would want to read, use, share, or reference even without SEO.

These are some of the foundations you need to understand and implement in all tactics that will be described below.

1. Create original research

One of the best ways to get backlinks is to create original research that other websites can cite.

You can:

  • Conduct your own surveys
  • Publish industry studies
  • Analyze unique data
  • Share original findings
  • Create detailed case studies

Try to come up with something that doesn’t already exist on the market. The more unique your research is, the more reasons other websites have to reference it.

For example, you can survey your audience or analyze your own data. Then, share the findings as statistics in a detailed report with other insights.

Take a look at how Ahrefs implements this tactic.

Ahrefs

Source: Ahrefs

Ahrefs regularly publishes its own data studies. It analyzes a huge number of websites and provides unique insights.

Other websites may cite the study to support a claim about AI citations, prove a point, or give an example.

Just like we did right now :)

2. Build free tools

People are constantly looking for useful free tools. That’s why websites often link to them when they want to recommend a solution to their readers.

Therefore, here is one really important point:

You need to solve a real problem.

Your tool should actually help people. But don’t think it has to be something difficult to build or highly complex. No. A tool can simply help people do something faster or solve just one specific challenge.

But keep in mind that it should be easy to use. Nobody wants to spend 10 minutes figuring out how a tool works.

And, of course, your product should be different from the others. At least slightly.

You can add extra features, make the tool easier to use, or offer something for free that other platforms charge for.

Take Shopify as an example.

Shopify

Source: Shopify

Shopify created a free calculator that helps e-commerce businesses calculate their net profit.

It solves a real problem. This gives other websites a reason to recommend and link to it.

3. Create original infographics and imagesbenefits of infographics

Did this infographic catch your attention?

That’s precisely what visuals like this are supposed to do.

In fact:

  • Sometimes, people may even look only at visuals first instead of reading the entire article.
  • Humans understand text with images 323% better than without them.
  • Visuals can make your text much more appealing and boost your SEO.

That’s why websites often create their own visuals. Or they just use existing ones and link back to the original source.

These images can come in all different formats and designs. It all depends on your creativity and brand codes.

They can be educational infographics, charts, diagrams, pictures, and much more.

The thing to remember is that any visual should explain something unique or draw attention to an important point.

For example, some Ahrefs blog posts include dozens of useful infographics and images.

And these can be valuable not only for their own readers, but also for other websites to support their ideas.

How to find the best money pages

Source: Ahrefs

Other websites can use these visuals to explain a point, support their argument, or simply make their content more useful.

Here’s an example of how another website cited it:

how to find the best money pages

Source: Medium

4. Create frameworks and checklists

Frameworks and checklists are another useful way to increase backlinks.

  • A framework can help people understand a complex topic or make better decisions.
  • A checklist gives people a list of steps they can follow to complete a task.

The key is to make them practical and easy to use.

This gives other websites a reason to reference your content.

  • They can link to your framework when they want to explain a concept.
  • Or they can link to your checklist when they want to give their readers a practical resource.

Here is an example of a framework from HubSpot.

 framework from HubSpot

Source: HubSpot

This framework explains the AIDA model. It helps people structure their thinking around this specific topic.

The article clearly explains what the model is and covers all the basic principles readers need to understand the concept.

Other websites may mention this model but do not want to explain all the details themselves. So, they can simply link to the article so their readers can understand the concept better.

Now, let’s look at an example of an SEO checklist from Backlinko.

checklist from Backlinko

Source: Backlinko

The website has structured all the steps in a clear way. It also provides separate checklists in the same blog post for more detailed information.

This way, when other websites don’t want to get into too much detail on how to do SEO, they can simply link to this checklist.

5. Offer free templates

People often look for something they can use instead of doing everything from scratch. That’s why many websites create templates for problems their audience is searching for.

But you can’t create every possible template yourself.

Templates can be made for different industries, problems, and formats.

So, if a website finds a useful and easy-to-customize template, it can link to it instead of creating one from scratch.

Therefore, think about what free template you can offer.

It can come in many formats, such as:

  • A content calendar
  • A spreadsheet or presentation
  • A planning template
  • A ready-made structured guide
  • A checklist or worksheet
  • Any other format that solves a specific problem and makes people’s lives easier

If you know that your platform or website is a good place to create a template, go for it. But there is another way to do this: use third-party platforms.

Remember how Backlinko created a checklist on their website?

On the same page, they also offer an SEO checklist template in Google Docs format. This can be another way for other websites to reference the content. Many people prefer to save a checklist and use it later rather than open the same link every time.

SEO checklist

Besides that, you can create templates on platforms such as Notion.

Take a look at how we created a page there with some useful templates:

templates

Source: Notion

As you can see, we created templates in different formats and for different problems. At the same time, they are all related to our industry.

Note: Remember that your template should always be directly related to your industry. You can’t create a framework for an email campaign if your brand doesn’t do anything with email marketing. Otherwise, it won’t look trustworthy enough.

You can even check whether there are any relevant keywords in your niche that contain the word “template.”

6. Create industry benchmarks

Industry benchmarks are another great way to attract backlinks.

A benchmark shows what is considered normal or good in a specific industry.

You can create one by collecting data from multiple reliable sources. Then, calculate an average or median to create one useful benchmark.

This gives people a clear number they can use as a reference. They don't have to search through dozens of sources or compare different numbers themselves.

For example, you can create an annual report with average or median CTRs, conversion rates, or other industry metrics.

Websites often need these numbers for their own articles or research.

If your benchmark provides reliable data that is difficult to find elsewhere, other websites have a reason to cite it. And also link back to you.

For example, CXL created a detailed CTR benchmark guide.

CTR benchmark

Source: CXL

It combines data from different sources and breaks CTR down by industry, ad format, position, and channel.

7. Publish stat compilations

While benchmarks show what is considered good or average based on multiple studies, stat compilations bring those studies together in one place.

Basically, you gather useful statistics around a specific topic and organize them into one resource.

This works especially well when your website already has some authority. The more trustworthy your source is, the more likely people are to use your statistics as a reference and cite them in their own content.

But your stat compilation shouldn’t look like a copied-and-pasted list of numbers.

Add value beyond the statistics:

  • Group them by topic.
  • Explain what they mean.
  • Add the original sources.
  • Keep the information updated.

For example, Ahrefs created a large SEO statistics compilation.

SEO statistics

Source: Ahrefs

It brings together 107 up-to-date stats and organizes them into categories like backlinks, keywords, technical SEO, AI, etc.

8. Publish evidence-backed comparisons and opinion

People often look for comparisons before choosing a tool, product, service, or tactic. That’s why comparison content can be a great way to attract backlinks.

But don’t create a basic comparison that anyone can make.

Focus on useful differences. Compare features, pricing, performance, results, or anything else that can actually help people make a decision.

Make the information easy to understand. For example, use a table to compare different options side by side.

And don’t be afraid to say which option is better and why.

The same works for opinions.

Support it with data, tests, examples, or other reliable evidence.

If you provide something useful that other websites can reference, you give them a reason to link to your content.

For example, Rankture tested 10 SEO audit tools on 50 real websites.

SEO audit tools

Source: Rankture

They compared them based on issue detection, accuracy, speed, action ability, and value. They then presented the results in a clear comparison table and showed which tools performed better.

This gives other websites useful information they can reference when comparing SEO audit tools themselves.

If you have a page that already earns backlinks, there is a chance to get even more of them by improving your content.

You have already passed one of the hardest steps: getting people to notice and reference it. So, instead of creating something completely new, look for ways to make the existing page more useful.

You can:

  • Add new data or statistics
  • Update outdated information
  • Add missing sections
  • Include new examples
  • Improve tables, charts, or other visuals
  • Add original research or analysis
  • Replace outdated sources with newer ones

In simple words, make it more useful than it was before.

If your page becomes more complete and up to date, it can give people even more reasons to reference it.

For example, Backlinko updated an old post by adding a new case study, updating screenshots, improving the structure, and adding new information. After the relaunch, the page accumulated a significant number of new backlinks.

update content for backlinks

Source: Backlinko

10. Create resource & pillar pages

You can try to bring the most important information together in one place. This can include guides, statistics, tools, templates, examples, and other useful data.

The idea is to create a page that becomes a go-to resource on a specific topic.

For example, Ahrefs created a complete SEO guide for beginners that covers the main parts of search engine optimization in one place.

pillar page

Source: Ahrefs

It includes chapters on keyword research, SEO content, on-page SEO, link building, technical SEO, local SEO, AI search, and much more.

Each chapter links to more detailed resources.

This makes the page a useful starting point for anyone learning about SEO.

Other websites can link to it when they need a general resource to explain the topic or point their readers to more information.

11. Share your own experience and real-life examples

Personal experiences and real-life examples are a great way not only to make your content more interesting but also to attract backlinks.

That is because unique experiences are difficult to find. And at the same time, there is a high demand for them. Many people want to see how others actually implemented a tactic, used a tool, solved a problem, etc.

Of course, not every writer has a personal example to share for each piece of content they create. In such cases, they can reference other examples from credible sources and cite them.

Here, your own experience and other real-life examples can be valuable.

Make your examples as specific as possible. Include real results, screenshots, data, or other evidence when you can.

This makes the experience more useful and easier for others to reference.

Take the Stacc article as an example.

real-life examples

Source: The Stacc

They published a case study with four real SEO examples and exact numbers. It shows what different companies did and what results they got.

Many tactics for attracting high-quality backlinks require some form of outreach. And building relationships can make this process much easier.

But this shouldn’t scare you.

Building relationships doesn’t mean you need to become best friends with everyone who might link to your website. It means building genuine connections instead of sending spammy messages that only ask for a link.

The type of connection can also vary depending on the tactic.

Sometimes, it can grow into a long-term professional relationship. Other times, a simple personalized message or mention is enough.

Let’s look at some tactics where this approach can work.

12. Find unlinked brand mentions

From time to time, other websites mention your brand without linking to it.

This can happen when they talk about your company, product, research, etc., and simply forget to add a link.

The good news here is that the website already finds your brand relevant enough to mention. So you can potentially turn that mention into a link:

  1. First, find these mentions. You can search for your brand name on Google or use a tool that monitors mentions across the web.
  2. Then, check whether the mention includes a link. If it doesn’t, reach out to the website and politely ask them to add one.

It’s that simple.

For example, Hunter found an unlinked mention of its brand in a HubSpot article. HubSpot mentioned Hunter as a tool for finding recruiters’ email addresses but didn’t include a link.

Hunter

Source: Zapier

Brand reached out to HubSpot. And the company later added a link to Hunter’s website.

13. Write guest posts

Guest posts are another way to earn backlinks. You write an article for another website and include a link back to your site.

The first step is finding relevant websites that accept guest posts. There are 3 main ways you can do that.

1. Search Google for phrases such as:

  • "write for us" +
  • "guest post" +
  • "submit an article" +

2. Check where other experts in your industry publish their content.

If a website regularly publishes articles from external authors, it may also accept your contribution.

3. Use a guest posting platform.

These platforms let you filter websites by topic, country, traffic, DA, DR, and other metrics. This makes it easier to find relevant websites without searching for them manually.

Browse 150k+ websites for guest posting
Results: 119,818 sites
techbullion.com
🦉 🛡 💼
Computers Finance ...
Content placement
$27.50
Writing & Placement
$32.50
Ahrefs Organic Traffic
10,321
Similarweb Traffic
360,758
Total traffic
Not provided
Ahrefs DR Range
81
Moz DA
73
Semrush DA
48
Completion rate
Up to 100.00%
Avg lifetime of links:
Up to 100.00%
TAT
N/A
Tasks with Initial Domain & Price:
-1%
Language
English
Country
United States, India, Pakistan
Link attribution type
Dofollow
Marked “Sponsored by”
No
Required content size
from 1000 words
metapress.com
🦉 🛡 💼
Business Fashion ...
Content placement
$45.00
Writing & Placement
$46.50
Ahrefs Organic Traffic
953
Similarweb Traffic
175,716
Total traffic
Not provided
Ahrefs DR Range
79
Moz DA
72
Semrush DA
32
Completion rate
Up to 100.00%
Avg lifetime of links:
Up to 100.00%
TAT
N/A
Tasks with Initial Domain & Price:
-1%
Language
English
Country
United States
Link attribution type
Dofollow
Marked “Sponsored by”
No
Required content size
from 800 words
urbansplatter.com
🦉 🛡 💼
Construction and Repairs Real Estate ...
Content placement
$40.50
Writing & Placement
$43.50
Ahrefs Organic Traffic
8,350
Similarweb Traffic
117,690
Total traffic
Not provided
Ahrefs DR Range
62
Moz DA
47
Semrush DA
33
Completion rate
Up to 100.00%
Avg lifetime of links:
Up to 100.00%
TAT
N/A
Tasks with Initial Domain & Price:
-1%
Language
English
Country
United States
Link attribution type
Dofollow
Marked “Sponsored by”
No
Required content size
from 1000 words

14. Create expert roundups

Expert roundups can be a not-so-easy format. Especially if you’re not a well-known brand.

But that doesn’t mean it’s not possible. It just requires a more careful approach.

To write a really good roundup article, you need to collect multiple expert opinions from people in the same niche.

And relationships can help here.

If you already have connections with some experts, perfect. Go for it.

But if you don’t, you can start building those relationships first. Try to find a unique approach to each expert:

  • Talk about their work.
  • Engage with their content.
  • Leave a thoughtful comment.

Then, when the opportunity comes, ask them for insights on one specific topic.

For example, you can ask 20 experts the same question and bring all their answers together in one article.

And after your article is published, you should start your link-building outreach.

Let the experts know that you featured their insights. Send the published article to them.

They may share it with their audience, mention it on social media, or link back to the article from their website.

Of course, this isn't guaranteed.

But the key here is to make the roundup genuinely useful. Not simply collect as many backlinks as possible.

Note: If you’re struggling to reach multiple experts, you can also use platforms like HARO, Featured, Qwoted, etc. Besides, you can also find existing opinions from relevant people. Look for insights they have already shared on social media, in interviews, podcasts, etc.

Take a look at this expert roundup on AI content optimization.

We reached out to dozens of experts to ask their opinions on AI search optimization and selected some of the most interesting takes.

This is also one of the great ways to create original content. And it’s extremely important in the AI era.

For this tactic, you don’t need to write a whole piece of content from scratch. Instead, you need to get your product or resource included in an existing listicle.

This can work especially well when it’s already ranking for relevant searches.

To find those listicles in the first place, search for something like:

  • “Best X tools”
  • “Best services for X”
  • “Top X products”
  • “Best X alternatives”

Then, it comes again: outreach.

Find listicles that already mention several of your competitors but don’t mention you. Then, reach out to the author and explain why your product or service deserves to be included.

If a relevant, established website adds you to a blog post that already gets traffic and links, that’s a jackpot.

There are many listicles like this on the internet.

Take a look, for example, at this blog post from Salesforge.

listicle

Source: Salesforge

Did you also notice Hunter here?

The brand constantly reaches out to websites like this to get featured. In fact, Hunter got 96 new links from 54 domains in less than three months just by using this outreach strategy.

16. Do digital PR

Create something that journalists and media websites have a reason to talk about. That’s basically what digital PR involves.

The idea is to give journalists something they can use in their stories and link back to.

It can be original research, interesting statistics, expert commentary, a new trend, a survey, or a creative campaign.

Take, for example, a package theft study by C+R Research.

C+R Research

Source: C+R Research

The research was created specifically to generate media attention around the growing problem of package theft.

Their Digital PR campaign generated 232 media placements during the initial outreach campaign, with an average domain authority of 67:

C+R Research

Source: Digital Third Coast

For example, Forbes used C+R Research’s statistics in its article about package theft and referenced the original research.

C+R Research Forbes

Source: Forbes

17. Get podcast appearances

There are two main ways to get backlinks from podcasts:

  1. Appear as a guest on someone else’s podcast,
  2. Invite a guest to your own podcast.

Let’s start with the last one.

Creating a podcast is overall a great strategy for bringing more attention to your brand. And ultimately to your website.

But besides that, it can also be a great tactic to earn backlinks.

And this part comes after all the hard work.

If the guest has already agreed to participate and you’ve had a pretty good conversation, hopefully, you’ve also built a good relationship with them.

So, simply suggesting a link exchange shouldn’t be a problem:

  • You can link to their website or social media from your podcast episode page, description, show notes, etc.
  • And at the same time, they can link back to the episode from their website, blog, or social media.

This way, you both get an opportunity to promote each other.

And the same works vice versa. If you’ve been invited as a guest and the host didn’t suggest doing a link exchange, take the lead and simply ask for it.

Many podcasts publish an episode page or show notes where they link to their guests. But some may not. So, before pitching a podcast, check whether they usually link to their guests.

It’s a pretty simple way to turn one good conversation into a backlink.

Take a look at how My First Million linked to Wade Foster’s X account directly in the episode description.

My First Million

And on their website, they also link to Zapier, where Foster is a co-founder.

Source: My First Million

The guest did the same thing. Wade Foster shared the episode on his X account and directed his audience to the podcast.

Wade Foster's X

Source: X

18. Sponsor relevant events

When brands sponsor events, both sides can benefit.

The event gets financial support, while the sponsor can get a new audience and potentially earn a backlink.

That usually works when the event website has a dedicated page listing its sponsors with links to their websites.

And it doesn’t have to be a huge thing.

You can sponsor conferences, workshops, local events, charity events, sports events, and more. The important thing is to choose something relevant to your audience and industry.

For example, brightonSEO is a major conference for SEO experts and other digital marketers.

They host events in both the UK and the United States. And multiple brands sponsor them. These sponsors are listed on the brightonSEO website, with links to their websites included.

sponsers of the events

Source: brightonSEO

19. Apply for relevant industry awards

Many industry awards publish their winners and finalists on their websites. And when they do, they often link to the companies or individuals who received the recognition.

And if you think that applying for an award is too far-fetched to even try, don't worry. There are plenty of industry awards that you can actually apply for.

Start by looking for awards relevant to your niche, location, company size, or type of work.

Some are free to enter, while others charge an entry fee, so make sure the award is credible before you apply.

The more relevant and trustworthy the award is, the more valuable the backlink and recognition can be.

Here is an example of how the APAC Search Awards list their winners and include links to their websites:

Awards

Source: APAC Search Awards

20. Join professional associations

Professional associations can give you incredibly valuable connections and many other opportunities in your industry. And these connections, as well as the association itself, can become opportunities for backlinks.

There can be dozens of such associations. Online, offline, local, or international. Whatever fits you and your brand.

One of the biggest advantages is that the professionals you meet will likely have their own brands or websites.

And they may also be eager to grow themselves or their brands.

Let’s break down how you can get these backlinks. You may be surprised by the wide range of opportunities.

  1. Build relationships with other members. If another member has a relevant website, you can collaborate on content or suggest each other as useful resources when it makes sense.
  2. Check the member directory. Many associations have member directories where they list their members and link to their websites.
  3. Contribute to the association’s content. If members can contribute to the association's blog, newsletter, interviews, or events, you may get more opportunities to be mentioned and linked to.

For example, SEO PSA, an SEO professionals association, has a separate SEO directory. It lists the association’s members, with some listings including links to their websites.

SEO PSA

Source: SEO PSA

The organization itself mentions backlinks as one of the membership benefits. Besides the directory, members can also contribute articles to its blog and get more opportunities to be linked to.

SEO PSA benefits

Source: SEO PSA

21. Show up in local business directories

If you run a local business with a physical location or serve customers in a specific geographic area, business directories can be another simple way to enhance your SEO backlink strategy.

There are plenty of directories that work across multiple countries and cities.

Most of them provide a feature where you can simply check whether your business is already on the platform or not.

Yelp

Source:Yelp

So, if you check and don’t see the name of your local brand on the list, go for it. Getting featured on such directories can bring you not only new local customers, but also backlinks.

That’s because such local directories often include a link to the website they list.

Take a look at how it usually looks on Yelp:

Uncle Tetsu Yelp

Source:Yelp

22. Get listed on partner pages

Do you already work with other businesses? Then take a look at their websites.

Many companies have a partners page where they list the businesses they work with. And quite often, these listings include a link to their website.

So, if you already have a partnership with another company, check whether they have such a page.

If they do, and your brand isn’t listed there, ask them to add you.

It can be an agency you work with, a technology partner, a supplier, a reseller, or even another business you collaborate with.

For example, take a look at Mixpanel’s partner directory.

The company lists its certified partners on a dedicated page, with each partner having its own profile.

Mixpanel’s partner directory

Source: Mixpanel

Even if your partners don’t have a page like that, you can also:

  • Ask them whether they’re willing to exchange links with you (for example, through guest posting),
  • You can also both announce your partnership in the News section, or choose any other format you prefer.

23. Co-create projects with other brands

Collaborate with other brands in your industry with trustworthy websites to create something unique and interesting for both of your audiences.

That can be:

  • Pop-up stores
  • Co-organized events
  • Co-hosted webinars
  • Co-created surveys, research, etc.

Getting backlinks here comes as a natural part of it.

When you publish information about the co-created project, you can link to your partner’s website. And they can do the same.

This way, both brands can strengthen their backlink strategy, while also reaching a new audience.

For example, HubSpot and Brandwatch collaborated on the 2023 Global Social Media Trends Report.

HubSpot and Brandwatch collaboration

Source: HubSpot

Both brands were involved in creating the research, and the report includes links to both of their websites.

24. Build new integrations (for SaaS)

If you are a SaaS company, you probably already have a product. And it can help you earn backlinks.

For that, you basically need to integrate it with other tools in your industry.

For example, your software might solve a specific problem, while another, larger platform offers features that complement it. By connecting the two, users can get more value from both.

And then, the larger platform may list your integration on its website, with a link to your website.

For example, Saber Feedback built an integration with Asana.

The integration allows users to send website feedback and customer surveys directly to their Asana projects.

And Asana has a dedicated page for the integration, where it explains how it works and links directly to Saber Feedback’s website.

Saber Feedback integration with Asana

Source: Asana

25. Become a writer for a credible source

Your company is most likely a goldmine with subject-matter experts, so use it.

Many credible industry websites publish articles written by specialists and give them an author page or profile.

And this can become another backlink opportunity.

For example, Search Engine Journal works with expert contributors in SEO, digital marketing, content marketing, and other areas.

You need to be invited by the editorial team. But once you become a contributor, you can publish articles under your name and, of course, get a link to your site.

Search Engine Journal

Source: Search Engine Journal

So, if you have real expertise in your industry, look for credible publications where experts can contribute.

Look for websites that link to your competitors but not to you. These are potential backlink opportunities.

If a website already links to several similar companies or resources, there is a good chance it may also be interested in your content.

You can also look at what type of posts attract the most backlinks.

Maybe your competitor has a research report, template, or detailed guide that gets many links. This can give you an idea of what type of resource you could create.

But don't copy your competitors. Use their backlink profiles to understand what works in your industry and find opportunities you can approach in your own way.

For example, Pastreez analyzed its competitors' backlinks using Semrush.

They looked at the websites linking to other brands in their niche and found relevant sites they could reach out to.

They then contacted some of these pages and offered a free macaron box for an honest review.

This helped them find new websites that could link to their own site.

backlink opportunities

Source: Semrush

Websites can lose backlinks for many reasons. For example:

  • A page can be deleted
  • A website can update its content
  • The link can simply be removed

That’s why it’s worth checking your lost backlinks from time to time.

You can use tools like Ahrefs or Semrush to find websites that used to link to you but don’t anymore.

But here comes an important part.

Not every lost backlink is worth chasing.

Take a closer look at where the link came from. And ask yourself these questions:

  • Is the website relevant?
  • Is the page still live?
  • Was the backlink actually valuable?

If the answer is yes, then reach out and ask if they can restore the link.

If not, simply move on.

There is no point in spending hours trying to recover a backlink that brings no value.

For example, Ahrefs noticed that Copy.ai used to link to its Content Explorer. But the link was later removed. The page was still live and had a DR of 93.

Ahrefs decided that this was a backlink worth recovering, so its team reached out to Copy.ai to ask them to restore the link.

lost links

Source: Ahrefs

Conclusion

All these tactics can work when you approach them according to their specific needs and requirements.

Some can take more effort and time. Some can be much easier to implement. But in any case, you need to stay professional, be creative, and adapt to the fast-changing SEO environment.

And there is one more thing you should always keep in mind.

Not all backlinks are created equal.

Getting hundreds of links from random websites doesn’t necessarily mean you are doing a great job with link building.

Instead, focus on getting backlinks from relevant, trustworthy, and high-quality pages.

And don’t evaluate link opportunities based only on DA or DR.

Take a closer look at the actual page. Does it get organic traffic? Is the website relevant to your industry? Would the link make sense for its readers?

Successful link building is not about getting as many backlinks as possible.

It’s about getting the right backlinks from the right places.

FAQ

Start by creating something that other websites would actually want to link to.

It can be original research, a useful template, an infographic, a detailed guide, or any other resource that provides value to their audience.

Then, help people find it. Reach out to relevant websites, write guest posts, look for unlinked brand mentions, broken links, and other opportunities.

The important thing is to give websites a real reason to link to your content.

If you already have some backlinks, you don't need to start from zero:

  1. First, look at the websites that already link to your page. Then, find other relevant websites that may also find your content useful.
  2. You can also check your competitors' backlink profiles. Find websites that link to similar pages but haven't linked to yours yet.
  3. Another option is to update your content with new data, examples, or insights.

Start by looking for places where a backlink would make sense naturally.

You can find unlinked brand mentions, broken links, guest post opportunities, relevant directories, industry associations, and websites that already link to similar content.

You can also check your competitors' backlink profiles and find websites that link to them but not to you.

One fixed rule is to avoid buying low-quality backlinks.

Instead, focus on relevant and trustworthy websites that make sense for your industry and audience.

Create something genuinely useful, such as original research, unique data, a detailed guide, or a useful resource. Then, reach out to websites that may want to reference it.

And don't look only at DA or DR.

Relevance and the context of the link matter too.

Having links from different relevant websites is generally more useful than getting hundreds of links from the same website.

For example, 50 links from one website are still just one referring domain. But 50 links from 50 relevant websites can give you a much more diverse backlink profile.

So, don't focus only on the number of backlinks. Look at where they come from and how relevant they are to your website.

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They are used solely for informational, analytical, and review purposes in accordance with applicable copyright law.
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