Backlink strategies that worked for me

Over the past few years, I’ve spent countless hours experimenting with different link-building strategies. Some worked wonders, others were complete flops—but through trial and error, I’ve discovered methods that consistently earn high-quality backlinks and boost my site’s SEO. In this article, I’ll walk you through the strategies I actually use, including examples from my own campaigns.

Craft link-worthy content

One thing I’ve learned is that exceptional content attracts links naturally and it's the easiest but also the most time-consuming and drawn-out strategy. Early on, I noticed that my guides on SEO tools received dozens of backlinks just because they were comprehensive, up-to-date, and practical.

For example, I published a 10,000-word guide on content promotion strategies. Within two months, I had 45 websites linking to it, some small blogs, some authoritative SEO sites. The key was providing real value, with actionable tips, examples, and visual resources that others wanted to reference.

Tips from my experience:

• Use data-driven insights, people love linking to original research;

• Include step-by-step tutorials or checklists;

• Create visual assets like charts, infographics, or tables that make content linkable.

Guest blogging on authority sites

Guest blogging is often underestimated, but it works if done correctly. I remember pitching a post to a niche marketing blog I had been following for months. The editor loved my angle, published it, and I got a high-quality backlink plus referral traffic.

My rule of thumb: only write for sites that are relevant to your niche and have a decent domain authority. Posting on irrelevant or low-quality sites might not hurt, but it rarely moves the needle.

Digital PR and outreach

I once created a small survey about social media usage trends. By sending it to journalists and niche bloggers, I secured backlinks from three major publications.

Digital PR is all about telling a story that editors want to share. It could be data, a case study, or even a controversial take but it needs to be newsworthy and relevant.

What to watch out for

Avoid sending generic pitches, personalize every outreach email;

Don’t exaggerate data or make claims you can’t back up; credibility is key;

Focus on publications relevant to your niche; irrelevant coverage shouldn't be your main goal.

The Skyscraper technique in action

One of my favorite strategies is the Skyscraper Technique. Here’s an example:

I found a blog post ranking for “SEO checklist 2025” with 20 backlinks. I created a 50-point, fully updated checklist with visuals and downloadable PDF, then reached out to everyone linking to the original post. Within a few weeks, I earned 7 backlinks from high-authority sites.

The lesson? Make your content noticeably better than what’s already out there, and don’t be shy about reaching out to the right people.

Competitor Backlink analysis

I regularly use tools like Ahrefs and SEMrush to spy on competitors’ backlinks. Once, I discovered that a competitor had dozens of backlinks from podcasts in my niche. I pitched myself as a guest to those same podcasts and secured five new backlinks and some referral traffic.

The takeaway: follow the breadcrumbs your competitors leave behind, they can reveal opportunities you’d never find otherwise.

Resource page link building

Resource pages are underrated. I once came across a “Best productivity Apps for remote work” page that hadn’t included my in-depth guide on time management tools. I sent a concise, friendly email explaining how my guide could complement their list, and within a week, my link was added.

Tip: always personalize your outreach and clearly show the value your resource provides. Generic emails rarely get results.

Reclaiming unlinked mentions

This is a low-effort, high-reward strategy. I use tools like Mention or Google Alerts to track when people talk about my brand but don’t link. A short, polite email asking them to add a link usually converts 20–30% of the time. Over a year, this has added dozens of quality backlinks to my site.

Broken link building

I once found a 404 page on a high-authority blog that linked to a guide similar to mine. I reached out, suggested my guide as a replacement, and they updated the link.

From my experience: this works best on authoritative sites that are relevant to your niche. Always be polite and provide clear value.

Networking with Influencers

I’ve attended virtual webinars, shared insights on LinkedIn, and collaborated with niche influencers. Over time, these relationships naturally lead to backlinks, mentions, and social shares.

Example: after collaborating on a joint blog post with an influencer in the marketing space, I gained three backlinks and a social media boost that drove traffic for weeks.

It's not just about Backlinks

Influencer collaborations don’t just give backlinks, they also drive referral traffic and increase brand mentions, each mention helps search engines see your site as more trustworthy, which can improve rankings over time.

"Carefully selected influencer partnerships now play an integral role in how businesses consume, verify, and act on information. But not enough brands develop the deep, meaningful, and complex relationships with influencers their audience demands.

Businesses need to understand the value that lies in those authentic partnerships. For those who get that right can own the pockets of industry conversation where reputations are truly formed." - Ogilvy

Monitoring and disavowing toxic links

I make it a habit to audit my backlinks quarterly. Once, I discovered a spammy link from a low-quality directory. I disavowed it, preventing potential harm to my SEO.

Tools I use: Google Search Console, Ahrefs, SEMrush. Staying proactive keeps my backlink profile healthy and my rankings secure.

Final Thoughts

Building high-quality backlinks isn’t just about numbers, it’s about value, relevance, and relationships. From creating content that people love to reaching out strategically, these strategies have consistently worked for me.

Remember: backlinks take effort, but the ROI in traffic, authority, and rankings is worth it. Start small, test strategies, and scale what works best for your niche.