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Which link building techniques have you used that ACTUALLY work?

by RS3RS
22 replies
  • SEO
    • |
There are a lot of link generation methods out there, and most of us veterans have probably heard about all of them by now... But which ones have you used and actually seen results from?

Which methods can (and do) you reliably use for multiple niches that generate authoritative links and is scalable based on the amount of time required to obtain a link?

A lot of people want to keep it whitehat or don't have the budget to purchase links.

Let's avoid the junk links, so we'll exclude things like forum signatures, article directories, regular directories, reciprocal linking -- even guest posting for dofollow links is greyhat at best these days, and most big sites either don't accept them anymore or you have to know somebody to get approved.

Examples might be:

The skyscraper technique: Taking a page that has a lot of links and making something better (or more currently updated), then reaching out to sites and asking them to link back to you.

Guest-o-graphics: Infographics where you do manual outreach and offer to write a custom short (200-300) word post in which you include your links.

HARO: Answering questions from journalists in the hope of getting a link back in your quote.

Journalist "stalking": Finding journalists who write on your subject often and getting to know them via commenting, social following, emails, etc. until they know who you are and might be open to a pitch.

Broken link building: Trying to find dead links, replicating the content, and reaching out for a link when you inform the webmaster of their broken current link.

Regular content promotion: Trying to write something cool and emailing sites who have posted similar stuff in the past to see if they'll share it. Might also use Google Alerts to try to make your pitches shortly after something relevant is published.

Doing expert round-ups: Emailing a bunch of experts, asking for a quote on a subject, then hoping they will share the content to promote their own brand. Heard this is getting less effective as more people do it.

Those are examples of ways to get whitehat links. But what have you done that HAS gotten you whitehat links?

Not everything that looks good on paper is effective in the real world. Maybe we can learn from each other's experiences.
#building #link #techniques #work
  • Profile picture of the author webby0031
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    • Profile picture of the author RS3RS
      Originally Posted by webby0031 View Post

      if you dont have budget to buy links none of that sh1t you have said will make jack shit difference. what are all these stupid tutorials on here from complete and utter NEWBS that are just spreading crap
      Calm down. This isn't a tutorial. It's a list of examples so people don't post crap methods like "post on blogs and comment with your link a thousand times".

      Buying links is not whitehat. This is about discussing whitehat methods.
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    • Profile picture of the author sggl
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  • Profile picture of the author MarkAse
    HARO doesn't get enough attention around here. It's a goldmine if you have a real business or a good looking blog.

    Building relationships with bloggers is also incredibly effective. If you content is truly extremely high quality, then the blogers whom you are mentioning or quoting are going to link to your work and likely link to you at other times as well. Much like a journalist works sources over time, you can do much of the same with bloggers-
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  • Profile picture of the author blackli0n
    Writing content worth sharing.
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  • Profile picture of the author ScooterDaMan
    For sure, I'd say that Brian Dean's Skyscraper technique is the best one out there. It's also the most difficult one because it takes a fair amount of work to create something utterly unique that is even better than the best of the best. I think most people fail with it because they forget the crucial first step and, although they might build something that IS truly better, they forget to check to make sure the post they were trying to beat actually had enough truly good links to make it worth their effort. Instead, they only look at how many social shares it got - total waste of time!

    HARO and broken link building are probably the next best bets but you have to be in the right niches for both for them to work.

    The only thing I can think of that you did not mention was the "Awards" post, where you post a few sentence summary of the top 50 or 100 sites in any niche, reach out to those sites to let them know they made the best of the best list, and create a seal (which links back to the article) for them to embed on their website as proud owners. Not many, but a few of the 100 will embed that special seal on their site. If nothing else, you get that "ego" blast on their social sites which brings you a couple days of extra traffic.
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    • Profile picture of the author jillybean1205
      Originally Posted by ScooterDaMan View Post

      For sure, I'd say that Brian Dean's Skyscraper technique is the best one out there. It's also the most difficult one because it takes a fair amount of work to create something utterly unique that is even better than the best of the best. I think most people fail with it because they forget the crucial first step and, although they might build something that IS truly better, they forget to check to make sure the post they were trying to beat actually had enough truly good links to make it worth their effort. Instead, they only look at how many social shares it got - total waste of time!

      HARO and broken link building are probably the next best bets but you have to be in the right niches for both for them to work.

      The only thing I can think of that you did not mention was the "Awards" post, where you post a few sentence summary of the top 50 or 100 sites in any niche, reach out to those sites to let them know they made the best of the best list, and create a seal (which links back to the article) for them to embed on their website as proud owners. Not many, but a few of the 100 will embed that special seal on their site. If nothing else, you get that "ego" blast on their social sites which brings you a couple days of extra traffic.

      I agree with Scooter, Awards post are a good way to build links along with competitor's links as well. Also, if you're looking for great articles I personally recommend Textun https://www.textun.com/. I've been using them for a couple of months now and all are quality articles.
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    • Profile picture of the author RS3RS
      Originally Posted by ScooterDaMan View Post

      For sure, I'd say that Brian Dean's Skyscraper technique is the best one out there. It's also the most difficult one because it takes a fair amount of work to create something utterly unique that is even better than the best of the best. I think most people fail with it because they forget the crucial first step and, although they might build something that IS truly better, they forget to check to make sure the post they were trying to beat actually had enough truly good links to make it worth their effort. Instead, they only look at how many social shares it got - total waste of time!

      HARO and broken link building are probably the next best bets but you have to be in the right niches for both for them to work.

      The only thing I can think of that you did not mention was the "Awards" post, where you post a few sentence summary of the top 50 or 100 sites in any niche, reach out to those sites to let them know they made the best of the best list, and create a seal (which links back to the article) for them to embed on their website as proud owners. Not many, but a few of the 100 will embed that special seal on their site. If nothing else, you get that "ego" blast on their social sites which brings you a couple days of extra traffic.
      Thanks for the intelligent reply.

      I agree that skyscraper is a pretty strong method. I just read this post on Ahrefs about why famous SEO strategies / techniques tend not to work well for the average Joe and it's pretty spot-on: https://ahrefs.com/blog/skyscraper-technique/

      Not that they won't get links, but they may not affect rankings much until you've built up a higher total DA through cumulative efforts.
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      • Profile picture of the author ScooterDaMan
        Originally Posted by RS3RS View Post

        Thanks for the intelligent reply.

        I agree that skyscraper is a pretty strong method. I just read this post on Ahrefs about why famous SEO strategies / techniques tend not to work well for the average Joe and it's pretty spot-on: https://ahrefs.com/blog/skyscraper-technique/

        Not that they won't get links, but they may not affect rankings much until you've built up a higher total DA through cumulative efforts.
        Contrary to the B.S. so many people try to feed you, links DO NOT have an overnight effect. They typically take months to have an effect and, even then, are relatively useless if your content is not stellar and very well optimized for SEO (but not over-optimized). Can you get an immediate result from link blasts? Sure, but they have little lasting effect and often lead to the demise of a page or even the whole website. Slow, steady, diverse and relevant links ultimately win the race. It's a marathon; not a sprint.

        The best tip I can give anyone with today's Google algorithm is to concentrate on your title tags and meta descriptions. Optimize your title tags for a targeted phrase but also include something attention getting ("Sale", "Discount", "Huge Selection", etc.). Then, put something enticing in the meta description to get the click. It is becoming apparent now that the more often your organic listing is clicked, relative to the clicks to other listings on that same page and what the average click through rate is for the position you are in, the higher your rankings will rise.
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  • Profile picture of the author BarnerdMendy
    Unique content sharing is the best way now a days and it's effective though. Besides social media marketing also the best helper.
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  • Profile picture of the author arindamroy
    Well RS3RS, has provided some good and innovative ways of link building but it is not possible for every startup or new in digital marketing, any help?
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  • Profile picture of the author Aliyah5ines
    hi,
    At present i am using Following techniques to build links,
    1. The skyscraper technique
    2. Broken Link Building
    3. Competitor Analysis(Submitting my website where competitor already Submitted)
    4. Forum Posting
    5. Wikipedia Link building (getting links from wiki.
    thank you
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    • Profile picture of the author arindamroy
      Originally Posted by Aliyah5ines View Post

      hi,
      At present i am using Following techniques to build links,
      1. The skyscraper technique
      2. Broken Link Building
      3. Competitor Analysis(Submitting my website where competitor already Submitted)
      4. Forum Posting
      5. Wikipedia Link building (getting links from wiki.
      thank you
      Can you please elaborate what is the skyscraper technique ?
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      • Profile picture of the author RS3RS
        Originally Posted by arindamroy View Post

        Can you please elaborate what is the skyscraper technique ?
        Backlinko did a great tutorial on it, so I won't go into much detail (it's easy to find via Google if you want to read more).

        Basically, you find existing content you think you can improve upon that already has links to it. Then you make something much better and ask those sites to link to your new content instead / as well.

        For example, say I find an article titled "5 State Parks That Allow RV Camping" and it has 50 links to it. If I write "ALL 250+ State Parks That Allow RV Camping", then I have created a vastly improved version of that post.

        If I email those 50 people, it's pretty easy to convince them that they should be linking to me instead.
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        • Profile picture of the author hynds
          Originally Posted by RS3RS View Post

          Backlinko did a great tutorial on it, so I won't go into much detail (it's easy to find via Google if you want to read more).

          Basically, you find existing content you think you can improve upon that already has links to it. Then you make something much better and ask those sites to link to your new content instead / as well.

          For example, say I find an article titled "5 State Parks That Allow RV Camping" and it has 50 links to it. If I write "ALL 250+ State Parks That Allow RV Camping", then I have created a vastly improved version of that post.

          If I email those 50 people, it's pretty easy to convince them that they should be linking to me instead.
          That's a good info I've just know. However if no one accept to link to you, what happen?
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  • Profile picture of the author HayleyS
    Link building is still one of the best SEO techniques. I would like to share here a list of link building techniques which still work in 2016:
    - guest posts is still an effective technique. But you should do it right, create and maintain relationships with industry news sources and blogs, produce high-quality content and make sure that you link back to your site in a useful and relevant way;
    - Blogging, which is a unique way for a company to engage their audience , attract links and achieve higher organic rankings;
    - Infographics;
    - directories link building technique still works, but you need to be mindful with how to approach it. Directory link building requires judgement and critical thinking! so do not be tempted by low-quality directories, they will cause you more damage than good.
    - Asking for links is still an original and trusted technique that still works.
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  • Profile picture of the author Whitedwarfmedia
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    • Profile picture of the author RS3RS
      Originally Posted by HayleyS View Post

      Link building is still one of the best SEO techniques. I would like to share here a list of link building techniques which still work in 2016:
      - guest posts is still an effective technique. But you should do it right, create and maintain relationships with industry news sources and blogs, produce high-quality content and make sure that you link back to your site in a useful and relevant way;
      - Blogging, which is a unique way for a company to engage their audience , attract links and achieve higher organic rankings;
      - Infographics;
      - directories link building technique still works, but you need to be mindful with how to approach it. Directory link building requires judgement and critical thinking! so do not be tempted by low-quality directories, they will cause you more damage than good.
      - Asking for links is still an original and trusted technique that still works.
      Right, but that's not the question. Everyone can find a list of methods with a quick Google query.

      The question is what has worked for you, personally -- in detail? What is your response rate for each? What's your link placement rate, in percent? How many "do-follow" links have you acquired with each? Are they in-content links? How has each affected your rankings?

      Let's have a real conversation, not regurgitate lists.

      Originally Posted by Whitedwarfmedia View Post

      In Link Building you must have submit your weblink on dofollow and high pr sites like high page rank bookmarking sites, article sites, blog posting, forum posting, profile linking, blog commenting,ad posting etc.
      Page Rank doesn't exist anymore, and most of those links carry no validity in 2016. Google knows the difference between user generated links and editorial links. Forum posts and blog comments won't help you rank higher.
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  • Profile picture of the author Myonlinejourny
    The easiest way to build backlink is to . Check the compositors backlink how he is building backlink from which site he is building backlink , what anchor text he is using etc , Then sketch your own strategy and start your link building campaign . Backlink is the key of any SEO strategy .So try to make user friendly backlink not for search engine friendly backlinks .
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    • Profile picture of the author arindamroy
      Originally Posted by Myonlinejourny View Post

      The easiest way to build backlink is to . Check the compositors backlink how he is building backlink
      It's Competitor backlink not compositor
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  • Profile picture of the author opensourcenetork
    Personally, I do blog commenting the most. There are a lot of blogs you could comment on, true that there are some that might not be approved but if one gets approved then that could add to your traffic. Plus it doesn't take as much time to churn out content for the comments.
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  • Profile picture of the author Edmontontech
    I do guest blogging, it's a way to introduce your blog or site to another site's audience which could be larger than yours. It just gets a little difficult to get accepted especially to the authority ones, so you need to come up with great unique content that fits their site as well. Win win!
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  • Profile picture of the author stevetickolo
    Forum posting is a great way to increase your back links, but only if done properly. As long as you made the right amount of effort in the type of back links that you do, it should be great.
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  • Profile picture of the author bad pills
    Participating in forum discussions relevant to your niche, where you could share valuable content is a great link building technique. You also need to have highly valuable and shareable content, which would make viewers interested in looking at your site.
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    • Profile picture of the author RS3RS
      Originally Posted by opensourcenetork View Post

      Personally, I do blog commenting the most. There are a lot of blogs you could comment on, true that there are some that might not be approved but if one gets approved then that could add to your traffic. Plus it doesn't take as much time to churn out content for the comments.
      Originally Posted by Edmontontech View Post

      I do guest blogging, it's a way to introduce your blog or site to another site's audience which could be larger than yours. It just gets a little difficult to get accepted especially to the authority ones, so you need to come up with great unique content that fits their site as well. Win win!
      Originally Posted by stevetickolo View Post

      Forum posting is a great way to increase your back links, but only if done properly. As long as you made the right amount of effort in the type of back links that you do, it should be great.
      Originally Posted by bad pills View Post

      Participating in forum discussions relevant to your niche, where you could share valuable content is a great link building technique. You also need to have highly valuable and shareable content, which would make viewers interested in looking at your site.
      Let's keep in mind these are all examples of low quality links that don't help build authority to a domain.

      Google is pretty smart, they definitely know the difference between user generated content and editorially granted links.

      These can help get some click-through traffic, of course, but let's keep the original post in mind:

      Let's avoid the junk links, so we'll exclude things like forum signatures, article directories, regular directories, reciprocal linking -- even guest posting for dofollow links is greyhat at best these days, and most big sites either don't accept them anymore or you have to know somebody to get approved.
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