How to Get Backlinks: 10 Backlink Strategies to Rank Higher

Intro

There's no doubt in the fact that everyone wants their website to rank on the first page of the search engine. But the truth is, not everyone succeeds.

So what makes the most difference between the people who get ranked higher and the people who don't?

Well, it's mainly about their SEO (Search Engine Optimization) backlink strategy.

Backlinks are considered to be Google's one of the top two ranking factors, according to SERP Forge link building statistics. This directly means that if you perform your backlink strategy well, you rank well.

In this post, you are going to learn about the 10 best backlink strategies that top-ranking websites use to go from the bottom to the top and achieve higher search engine rankings.

Let's go.

What are backlinks?

There are a few chances that some of you might still be wondering about what backlinks exactly are.

Let's understand.

In the simplest language, backlinks (inbound links) are links that you get from an external website to your website.

It is when another website adds an external link to your website somewhere on their web page.

The best thing that makes backlinks such a powerful factor to rank higher is that search engine algorithms consider backlinks as a vote of confidence.

This means when an external website adds a link to your website Google considers that backlink as a vote from that external website in favor of your website.

It almost feels like that website is telling Google, "Hey, I'm linking this website because I feel it is a good one".

Therefore, the more backlinks (votes of confidence ) you get, the higher you rank.

Signs of a quality backlink

When building backlinks (incoming links), it's extremely important to get as many high-quality backlinks as possible.

Not all links are equal.

You can put 1 high-quality backlink against 100 low-quality backlinks and you'll see that 1 quality backlink drives better results than the 100 low-quality backlinks.

That's why you must first understand what kind of links are valuable before learning about any strategy.

1. The website linking to you is relevant to your niche

Google also checks whether the site that is linking to your website is relevant to your niche or not.

For example, let's say you work in the health and fitness industry.

On one hand, a website from the tech industry links to you, and on the other hand, a website from the health industry links to you.

Which backlink would have a higher impact? Obviously, the latter one.

That's why you must always try to get relevant links from websites that are relevant to your niche to get better results.

2. It is a "Do follow" link

There are mainly two types of links SEOs consider:

• Dofollow links
• Nofollow links

A Do-follow link passes the authority of the origin site to the web page linked. Whereas, a No-follow link does not pass any authority and is just a normal backlink.

What does it mean?

Well, it means that if you get a "nofollow" link Google will ignore that link and won't count it as a vote from the website linking to you.

So always try to get high-quality links that includes the "Dofollow" tag.

3. The link comes from an authoritative website

Google also considers the authority of the website to determine the quality of your backlink.

For example, on one side there is a backlink from Hubspot and on the other side, there is a backlink from a random website.

Which backlink (vote) would impact your rankings the most? Exactly.

Google uses the concept of domain authority to determine the authoritativeness of a website.

That's why you must always try to get authority backlink from websites with higher domain authority.

4. The website is linking to you for the first time

If you are getting backlinks from the same website again and again, it won't impact your rankings as much as it did when you received it for the first time.

In fact, it can even damage your search rankings.

That's why it is always okay to get fewer backlinks from different websites than more backlinks from the same website.

Backlink strategies

At SERP Forge, we use the following backlink building strategies to help our clients skyrocket their rankings. The best thing? It works.

Here's the list of backlink strategies to use in various link building opportunities:

1. Build broken links

Next on this list, we have the broken link building method.

Let me explain what it is.

What is broken link building?

Oftentimes what happens is web pages get deleted. For certain reasons, website owners delete the web pages they created in the past or change their link addresses.

In such cases, external websites that have previously added a link to that website end up sending their audience to nowhere but a "404" error page (dead link).

How can it give you backlinks?

This is an extremely effective link building strategy that can give you hundreds of links.

Firstly, research and find out the businesses in your niche that are linking to web pages that no longer exist.

Then, create a similar piece of content.

Lastly, reach out to that website and inform them that the web page they've linked to does not exist and that they can link to your content instead.

2. Replicate your competitors' backlinks

Your competitors can really help you earn hundreds of backlinks. Let's learn how.

What are competitor backlinks?

Well, you see, this strategy is all about spying on your competitors and getting a list of websites that are giving backlinks to them (checking their backlink profile).

The best thing about taking your competitors' backlinks is that you only get relevant backlinks from them.

The websites that are linking to your competitors are mostly businesses that are relevant to your niche.

How can it give you backlinks?

There are various free and paid SEO tools available online to check competitors' backlinks. Some tools are:

• Ahrefs backlink checker tool
• Online backlink checker
• Semrush online backlink checker
• SmallSEOTools backlink checker

Select any of the tools and visit the website.

Next, type in your competitor's URL or domain name and click check backlinks.

The tool will give you a list of backlinks and websites that are sending them.

You can then email and reach out to those websites and ask them if they would like to link to your website.

3. Guest posting

Now this one is like one of the most used backlink strategies including link building agencies. The best part? It works.

So let me explain what guest posts are and how you can get strong backlinks from it.

What is guest blogging?

Guest blogging is when you reach out to external websites and ask them if they would like to get a high-quality piece of content for free.

On acceptance, you create and give them a high-quality piece of guest post to upload on their website.

How can it give you backlinks?

Look, nothing comes for free.

When you offer them an amazing piece of content for free, you will ask them to add a link to your website in return.

It is a win-win situation as the website will get to high quality blog posts for free and you will get backlinks from them.

4. Create statistics roundups

When you try to provide some information to your audience, sharing a few statistics and reports makes it even more engaging and useful.

That's why people love to use statistics and data in their articles.

What is a statistics roundup?

A statistics roundup is when you choose a particular topic of your niche and compile the data and statistics related to it.

In such a kind of backlink strategy, you don't have to invest in producing data.

All you need to do is research and gather statistics and data from various existing studies.

How can it give you backlinks?

So writers and journalists oftentimes seek data and statistics that they can use in their articles to prove their point.

Here's how you can make use of this opportunity and get backlinks from them:

Firstly, visit data aggregator sites like Foursquare and Statista or search on Google to find relevant pages.

Next, compile a massive list of statistics and data and upload them as an article page.

If journalists find your statistics page useful, they'll surely mention those statistics in their article and give you a backlink in return.

5. Help A Reporter Out

Now, this PR link building method has the potential to give you backlinks from high-authority websites.

What is HARO?

HARO is a website that connects reporters and journalists with industry experts who can act as the source for their news or content.

How can it give you backlinks?

The process is really simple.

First, visit the HARO website and set up your account as a "source".

Next, choose the industry you are an expert in and sign up for the daily email.

Then, wait.

You'll receive an email every time a reporter or journalist is seeking help from an expert from your industry.

Once you receive an email, all you have to do is respond correctly and offer them your expertise.

If the reporter or journalist decides to add your thoughts to their article, you'll get a backlink from them.

The best thing about this backlink strategy is that you don't have to do much work. All you have to do is sit and wait for the right query and respond correctly.

6. Reclaim unlinked brand mentions

This is one of the quickest ways to earn backlinks.

What are unlinked mentions?

See what happens most of the time is that websites mention your brand, product, or anything related to your company in their content, but don't add a link.

These types of brand mentions are called unlinked mentions.

How can it give you backlinks?

You can get backlinks from unlinked brand mentions by identifying the websites that have mentioned your brand name in their content but haven't added a link.

There are many free tools like Google Alerts that can inform you every time someone mentions your brand in their content.

Once you identify all the websites that haven't added the link, you can then send them a friendly email them and ask them to add a link to your website wherever they have mentioned something related to your brand.

7. Build free tools

If done right, this link backlink tip can generate thousands of backlinks for you.

What is free tool building?

There are many small, simple, yet useful tools available on the internet. For example, calculators, grammar checkers, word count tools, template generators and more.

These are all simple but powerful tools that, if done right, can generate thousands of organic traffic and backlinks.

How can it give you backlinks?

Let’s learn how you can get backlinks with this strategy.

First, do a Google search to find free tools or templates that people are searching for.

Once you have a list of the most sought-after free tools, then analyze the top 10 results for each search (tools found on the results page).

Finally, try to create a new best version of the tools. For example, with better design, faster results and so on.

If your free tool ranks for a strong keyword, get ready to get thousands of backlinks.

8. Create and share infographics

Nowadays, everyone is interested in immersing themselves in visual content. That’s why this method can easily give you hundreds of backlinks.

What is an infographic?

An infographic is a visual piece of content used to convey information about a set of statistics, data, or concepts.

Now you might be wondering how can an infographic generate backlinks. Let me explain.

People use infographics in their content because infographics make it much easier for others to understand complex topics.

Why?

This is because infographics contain charts, images, icons, and text, simplifying a complex topic.

How can it give you backlinks?

Well, Bmbloggers and website owners really love sharing infographics in their content. Learn how to get backlinks with it.

First, do your research and find the topics that are most in demand in your industry.

Then, select the topic on which you want to create an infographic. For example, "the benefits of regular yoga."

Next, create an infographic that is visually appealing and allows you to share your message with ease.

Finally, email the potential bloggers and website owners in your niche and ask them if they would like to use your infographic in their content in exchange for a backlink.

9. Publish ultimate guides

Let’s explore how you can use the ultimate guides to generate backlinks.

What is an ultimate guide?

An ultimate guide is a longer piece of content with a high potential to generate backlinks.

It is like the final boss in a topic that covers just about everything you need to understand that topic.

For example, "An ultimate Guide to Link Building."

This content will cover almost everything you need to know about link building strategy and how to use it.

How can it give you backlinks?

Look, people can’t always explain everything about a topic in one post. That’s why they always include a link to the ultimate guide of that topic when they feel it’s necessary.

You can research, learn, and create an ultimate guide about a topic from your niche.

If your ultimate guide is useful, you'll get a backlink every time a website wants to use it.

10. Get on the "best of" lists

Next on this list, we have a backlink strategy that can give you both backlinks as well as validation.

What is a "best of" list?

Oftentimes bloggers and other popular websites create articles that include the "best of" list. For example, "10 best email list builders".

Getting listed on these kinds of articles gives you both backlinks from that website as well as validation.

How can it give you backlinks?

Well, getting listed in these kinds of articles is not so hard. You can take the help of your competitors to find out such listicle articles.

First, use a tool like "Online backlink checker" to find out the "best of" lists your competitors are listed in.

Once you find the "best of" articles that are sending backlinks to your competitors, your next job is to reach out to that blogger or website owner.

You can email them and ask them what the process of getting listed on that list is and sometimes also convince them to add your website to that list.

Conclusion

So this way the complete post on backlink strategies that you can use to rank higher on search engines.

Always remember - the quality of your backlinks is more impactful than the quantity of your backlinks.

So try to get as many quality backlinks as possible and avoid using spammy backlinks strategies.

FAQs

What is an example of a backlink?

A word, phrase, image, or anything else on a website that, when clicked, takes you to another website is a backlink.

What is a backlink tool?

A backlink tool is an online software that helps website owners with their backlink efforts. It includes various backlink profile features such as backlink tracking, analyzing competitors' backlinks, keyword rankings, etc.

Here's a list of link building campaigns tools:

• Semrush
• Ahrefs
• HARO
• Buzzsumo
• Moz link explorer
• Majestic

Why are backlinks important?

Here are some reasons why backlinks are important:

• Backlinks improve your search rankings
• The websites linking to you send you referral organic traffic
• Backlinks from high-authority websites improve your brand image with social proof
• It gives you a competitive advantage