Link building is crucial for improving your website's authority in the eyes of Google and other search engines. The more high-quality backlinks you have from reputable external sites pointing back to your content, the more trust and ranking power you build.
If you're new to search engine optimization (SEO), developing an effective link building strategy may sound overwhelming. But it doesn't have to be!
Follow this beginner's guide to fundamental link building techniques you can implement to start driving referral traffic and boosting your rankings:
Why Link Building Matters for SEO
Google's core algorithm uses backlinks to assess popularity and reputation. Links essentially act as "votes" to indicate that a page offers value worthy of endorsement from others.
More backlinks (especially from authoritative sites related to your niche) signal to Google that your content is relevant and trusted. This increases your domain authority and page authority, earning higher rankings in search results.
But not all links are equal in Google's eyes. Low-quality links from spammy or irrelevant sites can actually damage your SEO. The key is building links ethically from reputable sources.
Choose Your Anchor Text Carefully
Anchor text refers to the clickable words in a link. For SEO, you want to incorporate keywords as anchor text naturally where possible. This indicates relevancy to search engines.
However, avoid overusing exact-match anchor text links. For example, constantly saying "free SEO tips" as anchor text appears manipulative. Vary your anchor text by blending keyword phrases with branded and generic terms.
Ideally, links should arise organically. But you can suggest relevant anchor text when you have the opportunity. Just don't force it unnaturally.
Earn Backlinks by Creating Link-Worthy Assets
The best way to build quality backlinks is by producing assets worth linking to, such as:
In-depth, well-researched guides and blog content
Data-driven studies and surveys
Useful tools, calculators, or quizzes
Infographics, charts, and graphics
Podcasts and videos
Focus on addressing questions and pain points your audience has. Offer truly unique value. Then proactively pitch your assets to secure backlinks from websites that would benefit their audiences.
Guest Post on Authority Sites in Your Niche
Guest posting involves creating content for publication on another site in your industry. Include natural links back to your site in the author bio and content where appropriate.
Stick to reputable, high-authority domains related to your space. Avoid low-quality blogs just to gain backlinks. Pitch sites your target audience actually follows.
Provide genuine value for the site's readers through your guest post. Don't just promote yourself. Display your expertise by solving their problems!
Earn Editorial Links by Becoming a Source
Position yourself as an authoritative industry source that editors want to interview and reference. Build relationships by providing useful information and data. Act as a thought leader.
When you're featured or quoted in online publications, you'll often get editorial backlinks as a result. This is powerful, because editorial links are seen as "votes" endorsing your authority.
Get Referrals from Link Roundups
Look for relevant link roundup posts where you can submit your content. For example, a marketing blog doing a roundup of top SEO experts to follow.
Only submit to trusted sites where you genuinely match the topic. Provide a high-value piece of content or asset to share rather than just your homepage URL.
Partner with Industry Influencers
Reaching out to influencers in your space can lead to backlinks. You don't need celebrity influencers necessarily—even micro-influencers with engaged niche audiences are beneficial.
Offer to collaborate on content, provide data they can use, or simply build a relationship. If an influencer shares or references your site publicly, it can significantly boost your organic visibility.
Publish on Aggregator and Syndication Sites
Aggregators like Medium republish content to their built-in audience. Syndicating posts on sites like Huffington Post also helps expand your reach.
When aggregating or syndicating content, always include a link back to your original piece as the canonical source. Then promote the republished version as well—it all aids SEO.
Build Local Links with Data Aggregator Listings
For local SEO, register your business on aggregators like Yelp, Mapquest, and other directories. Complete your profiles fully with Images, descriptions, contact info, etc.
This helps build local backlinks and signals to Google that your business is authoritative in the area. Encourage customer reviews on these sites as well.
Utilize Social Media to Gain Backlinks
Social platforms offer opportunities to organically earn backlinks too. For example:
Share your content in relevant Facebook Groups
Engage community members on Reddit
Promote your articles on LinkedIn
Join Twitter chats using your handle
Pin visual content on Pinterest
When others on social media share, like, or reply to your content, it often results in a backlink from their profile to your site.
Build Internal Links to Strengthen SEO
Internal linking between the pages on your own site plays a role in SEO too. Link internally where relevant in your content to pass "link juice" around your site.
Connect related posts so readers dig deeper into your archive. Link important pages in your navigation and site footer. This improves discovery and helps search bots crawl your site.
Monitor and Maintain Your Backlinks
Use free tools like Ahrefs, SEMrush, and Moz Link Explorer to monitor your existing backlink profile. This helps you identify bad links that need disavowing.
Keep building new ethical links while nurturing relationships with your existing link partners. Develop alerts for new mentions to stay on top of link building opportunities.
Trust Takes Time
Remember effective SEO takes patience. Building authority through backlinks does not happen overnight. But by implementing these tactics consistently, your rankings and referral traffic will steadily improve over time.
So leverage this beginner's guide to make link building a fundamental part of your overall SEO strategy starting today. The more high-quality domains linking back to you, the more search visibility you'll gain.