15 Proven Strategies to Get High-Quality Backlinks

As someone who’s been in SEO for 5 years, I can confidently say that once you learn how to get high-quality backlinks, you can easily rank higher on SERPs.

Discover 15 effective strategies to get backlinks in 2024. Boost your SEO, increase authority, and drive organic traffic.

How to Get High Quality Backlinks (15 Proven Strategies)

Google identifies backlinks as one of the top three ranking factors, highlighting their significance in determining a site’s visibility in search results.

Most SEO professionals (85%) believe link-building will remain vital in the coming years, emphasizing its ongoing relevance in digital marketing strategies.

You might ask, why are backlinks so important?

Well, backlinks are like votes of confidence from other websites, telling search engines that your content is valuable and trustworthy.

The more high-quality backlinks you have, the more likely you are to rank higher in search results, driving more organic traffic to your site.

So today, I will share 15 proven backlinking strategies that I’ve personally used and seen work wonders in SEO.

So, let’s roll up our sleeves and get started on your journey to backlink success!

1. Create High-Quality, Linkable Content

Let’s start with the foundation of any successful backlink strategy: creating content people want to link to. I can’t stress this enough — quality is king!

The Power of 10x Content

Have you heard of the concept of 10x content? It’s about creating content that’s ten times better than anything else out there on the topic.

Here’s how to do it:

• Conduct thorough research to understand what’s already ranking for your target keywords
• Identify gaps in existing content that you can fill (See how to improve blog content)
• Provide unique insights, data, or perspectives that add value to the conversation
• Make your content visually appealing with images, infographics, and videos
• Ensure your content is well-structured and easy to read

Discover insider tips and tricks to write SEO-friendly content that engages readers and ranks higher on Google.

High-quality content is essential for attracting backlinks. Long-form content (over 3,000 words) receives 77.2% more backlinks than shorter articles, indicating that comprehensive content is more likely to be linked to by other sites.

Types of Linkable Content

In my experience, certain types of content tend to attract more backlinks naturally:

• Ultimate guides
• Original research and case studies
• Infographics and data visualizations
• Expert roundups
• Industry surveys and reports

For example, I once created an ultimate guide on local SEO that ended up attracting over 100 backlinks in just a month.

The key was providing comprehensive, actionable advice that other sites found valuable enough to reference.

2. Leverage the Skyscraper Technique

The Skyscraper Technique, popularized by Brian Dean of Backlinko, is a powerful way to create link-worthy content and earn backlinks.

How the Skyscraper Technique Works

1. Find popular content in your niche that has lots of backlinks
2. Create something even better — longer, more up-to-date, or more comprehensive
3. Reach out to sites that linked to the original content and show them your improved version

Read my article to discover the top 9 backlink analysis tools to evaluate and understand your website’s or competitor’s backlink profile.

My Skyscraper Success Story

I once used this technique for a client in the fitness industry.

We found a popular article on “20 Best Bodyweight Exercises” and created a more comprehensive guide with 42 exercises, including video demonstrations and a mobile app.

By reaching out to sites that linked to the original article, we secured 50+ new high-quality backlinks within two months.

3. Guest Blogging

Still Effective When Done Right

Despite some claims that guest blogging is dead, I can assure you it’s still a viable strategy for building backlinks — if done correctly.

The Do’s and Don’ts of Guest Blogging

Do:

• Target high-quality, relevant sites in your niche
• Pitch unique, valuable content ideas (See 17 ways to find unique content ideas)
• Follow the site’s guest posting guidelines
• Include a natural, contextual link to your site within the content

Don’t:

• Mass-produce low-quality guest posts
• Focus solely on getting a backlink rather than providing value
• Use exact-match anchor text for your links

Finding Guest Blogging Opportunities

Here are some search queries I use to find guest blogging opportunities:

• [your niche] + “write for us”
• [your niche] + “contribute”
• [your niche] + “guest post guidelines”

Pro Tip: Use tools like Ahrefs or Moz to check the domain authority of potential guest blogging sites to ensure you’re targeting high-quality opportunities.

4. Broken Link Building

Broken link building is a win-win strategy that helps website owners fix dead links while earning you valuable backlinks.

The Broken Link Building Process:

1. Find relevant resource pages in your niche
2. Use an extension like Check My Links to identify broken links on those pages
3. Create content that could replace the broken link
4. Reach out to the site owner, informing them of the broken link and suggesting your content as a replacement

5. Unlinked Brand Mentions

Sometimes, people mention your brand or website without linking to it. These unlinked mentions are low-hanging fruit for backlink opportunities.

How to Find and Capitalize on Unlinked Mentions

1. Set up Google Alerts for your brand name and variations
2. Use tools like Semrush or Ahrefs to monitor brand mentions across the web
3. When you find an unlinked mention, reach out to the author or website owner and politely request a link

Here’s a template I’ve used successfully:

Hi [Name],

I noticed you mentioned [Your Brand] in your recent article [Article Title]. Thank you for the shout-out! I was wondering if you’d be willing to add a link to our website [Your URL] so your readers can easily find more information about us.

Thanks for your time, and keep up the great work!

[Your Name]

6. Create Shareable Infographics

Infographics are still a powerful tool for earning backlinks, as they’re highly shareable and can convey complex information in an easily digestible format.

Tips for Creating Link-Worthy Infographics

• Choose a topic that’s relevant to your audience and has the potential to go viral
• Research thoroughly to include unique, valuable data
• Keep the design clean and visually appealing
• Include your website URL and logo on the infographic
• Create an embed code to make it easy for others to share your infographic

Promoting Your Infographic

• Share on social media platforms
• Submit to infographic directories like Visual.ly and Infographic Journal
• Reach out to relevant blogs and offer them the infographic as an exclusive (for a limited time)

7. Podcast Guesting

Appearing as a guest on podcasts in your industry is an excellent way to build backlinks and increase your brand visibility.

Finding Podcast Opportunities

• Use podcast directories like Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Stitcher to find relevant shows
• Search for “[your niche] podcast” on Google
• Use tools like PodcastGuests.com to connect with podcast hosts

Maximizing Backlink Potential from Podcasts

• Provide value during the interview to encourage hosts to link to your site in the show notes
• Offer a special resource or lead magnet for listeners, which the host can link to
• Follow up with the host after the episode airs to ensure they’ve included your link

I’ve personally earned dozens of high-quality backlinks through podcast appearances, not to mention the added benefits of increased brand awareness and networking opportunities.

8. HARO (Help a Reporter Out)

HARO is a free service that connects journalists with expert sources. It’s an excellent way to earn high-quality backlinks from authoritative news sites and publications.

Making the Most of HARO

1. Sign up for HARO and select relevant categories
2. Monitor HARO emails for queries in your area of expertise
3. Respond quickly with concise, valuable insights
4. Include a brief bio with your website URL

Tips for Successful HARO Responses

• Read the query carefully and answer exactly what the journalist is asking
• Provide unique insights or data that add value to the story
• Keep your response brief and to the point
• Follow up with additional information or clarification if needed

I’ve secured backlinks from major publications like Forbes and Entrepreneur through HARO. The key is consistently providing high-quality, timely responses.

9. Create Free Tools or Resources

Developing free tools or resources related to your industry can be a magnet for backlinks.

Ideas for Link-Worthy Tools and Resources

• Calculators (e.g., mortgage calculators, calorie counters)
• Templates (e.g., resume templates, social media post templates)
• Chrome extensions
• WordPress plugins
• Checklists or cheat sheets

Promoting Your Free Tool

• Create a dedicated landing page for the tool
• Write a blog post announcing the tool and its benefits
• Reach out to industry bloggers and influencers to try the tool
• Submit to directories of free tools in your niche

10. Roundup Posts and Expert Quotes

Creating roundup posts or featuring expert quotes is a win-win strategy for building relationships and earning backlinks.

How to Create an Effective Roundup Post

1. Choose a relevant, interesting topic
2. Reach out to industry experts with a specific question
3. Compile the responses into a comprehensive post
4. Notify participants when the post is live and encourage them to share

Maximizing Backlink Potential from Roundups

• Include a brief bio and link for each participant
• Create custom social media images for each quote to encourage sharing
• Follow up with participants to see if they’d like to feature the roundup on their site

I’ve found that roundup posts not only attract backlinks from participants but also from other sites in the industry looking for expert insights.

11. Testimonials and Case Studies

Providing testimonials or case studies for products or services you use can be an easy way to earn backlinks.

Leveraging Testimonials for Backlinks

• Identify companies whose products or services you genuinely use and love
• Write a thoughtful, specific testimonial highlighting the benefits you’ve experienced
• Offer to let them use your testimonial on their website in exchange for a link back to your site

Creating Link-Worthy Case Studies

• Document your success with a particular product or service
• Include specific data and results
• Reach out to the company and offer them the case study for their website
• Ask for a link back to your site when they publish the case study

12. Newsjacking

Newsjacking involves leveraging trending news stories to draw attention to your brand and earn backlinks.

The Newsjacking Process

1. Monitor industry news and trending topics
2. Quickly create content that adds value to the conversation
3. Promote your content through social media and outreach

Tools for Effective Newsjacking

• Google Trends
• Twitter trending topics
• BuzzSumo
• HARO (for upcoming stories)

One of my most successful newsjacking efforts was creating a comprehensive guide on GDPR compliance just as the regulations were about to take effect.

The timely content earned dozens of backlinks from sites looking for authoritative information on the topic.

13. Scholarship Link Building

While this tactic has become more competitive, creating a scholarship can still be an effective way to earn .edu backlinks.

Setting Up a Scholarship Program

1. Determine the scholarship amount and criteria
2. Create a dedicated page on your website with all the details
3. Reach out to college and university financial aid offices
4. Ask them to list your scholarship on their website

Best Practices for Scholarship Link Building

• Make sure the scholarship is genuine and valuable
• Target schools that are relevant to your industry
• Follow up regularly to ensure your scholarship remains listed
• Consider partnering with a non-profit to add credibility

While this strategy requires an investment, the potential for high-quality .edu backlinks can make it worthwhile for some businesses.

14. Digital PR and Link Bait

Creating newsworthy content or campaigns can attract backlinks from high-authority news sites and industry publications.

Elements of Successful Digital PR Campaigns

• Unique data or research
• Controversial or surprising findings
• Emotional appeal or human interest
• Visual assets (infographics, videos, interactive content)

Promoting Your Digital PR Campaign

• Craft a compelling press release
• Build relationships with journalists and bloggers in your industry
• Use social media to amplify your message
• Consider paid promotion to kickstart visibility

15. Collaborative Content Creation

Partnering with other businesses or influencers in your industry to create content can lead to mutually beneficial backlink opportunities.

Types of Collaborative Content

• Co-authored blog posts
• Joint webinars or online events
• Collaborative research studies
• Co-branded infographics or videos

Maximizing Backlink Potential from Collaborations

• Agree on cross-promotion terms upfront
• Create unique assets for each partner’s audience
• Encourage partners to link to the collaborative content from their sites
• Follow up with a recap post on your site, linking to your partner’s content

I’ve found that collaborative content not only earns backlinks from your partners but also attracts links from others in the industry who find the combined expertise valuable.

Final Words

Remember, building a strong backlink profile is a marathon, not a sprint. It requires consistent effort, creativity, and a focus on providing value to your audience and industry.

As you implement these strategies, always keep in mind the importance of quality over quantity. A few high-quality, relevant backlinks can be far more valuable than dozens of low-quality ones.

And most importantly, always prioritize creating content that truly serves your audience — the backlinks will follow naturally.

I’d love to hear about your experiences with these backlink strategies. Which ones have worked best for you? Do you have any additional tips to share? Drop a comment below and let’s continue the conversation!

FAQs — Link Building Strategies (Backlinks)

How many backlinks do I need to rank on the first page of Google?

There’s no magic number, as it depends on your industry, competition, and the quality of your backlinks. Focus on earning high-quality, relevant backlinks rather than hitting a specific number.

Are all backlinks good for SEO?

No, not all backlinks are created equal. Low-quality or spammy backlinks can harm your SEO. Aim for backlinks from reputable, relevant websites in your industry.

How long does it take for backlinks to show effect?

It takes about 1 to 3 months for a new backlink to show noticeable effects on search rankings, reinforcing the need for a long-term link-building strategy.

Should I buy backlinks to speed up the process?

I strongly advise against buying backlinks, as this violates Google’s guidelines and can result in penalties. Focus on earning backlinks through legitimate means.

How can I check my website’s current backlink profile?

You can use tools like Ahrefs, SEMrush, or Google Search Console to analyze your current backlink profile and track new backlinks over time.