Link building is one of the most effective ways to increase the organic visibility of your website. When you get backlinks from high-domain authority (DA) websites, it signals to search engines that your content is trustworthy and valuable. However, securing links from authoritative sites can be challenging. This guide provides a comprehensive strategy on how to earn these valuable links.
1. Understanding Domain Authority
Before diving into strategies, it’s essential to understand what Domain Authority (DA) means. Developed by Moz, DA is a metric that predicts how well a website will rank on search engine results pages (SERPs). It is based on several factors such as:
- The quality and number of backlinks.
- The site’s age.
- Content relevance and optimization.
- User experience (UX).
High DA websites typically have a solid reputation, significant traffic, and relevant, authoritative content. Examples include major news outlets, industry-leading blogs, and well-established companies.
2. Content Quality Is Key
One of the foundational elements to earning links from high-DA sites is creating content that is both high-quality and relevant. If you want other authoritative sites to link to you, you need to offer value that is worth sharing.
A. Comprehensive Guides and Long-Form Content
Long-form content, particularly comprehensive guides or in-depth articles, tend to perform better in terms of link acquisition. These types of content cover a topic thoroughly, which naturally attracts backlinks from other resources.
Action Step:
- Create pillar pages that cover broad topics in your niche.
- Provide extensive research, data, and actionable insights that can be used by others in your industry.
B. Unique and Original Research
Creating original research, case studies, or data-backed content can attract links from high-authority sites. When you provide data that isn’t readily available elsewhere, it becomes a go-to resource for others to reference.
Action Step:
- Conduct surveys, use proprietary tools, or leverage customer data to offer new insights into your industry.
- Promote your research through email outreach to journalists and bloggers who focus on your industry.
3. Guest Posting
Guest posting is one of the most popular and effective link-building techniques. When you write a high-quality article for another website in exchange for a backlink, you build relationships and increase your site’s visibility.
A. Identify Relevant High-Authority Sites
Not all guest posts will help your SEO. Ensure that the sites you’re targeting have high DA and are relevant to your niche.
Action Step:
- Use tools like Moz’s Link Explorer, Ahrefs, or SEMrush to find websites with high DA in your industry.
- Ensure that the website has an active readership and that their content aligns with your expertise.
B. Craft a Compelling Pitch
When reaching out for guest posting opportunities, your pitch should be well-crafted. Make sure to:
- Highlight your expertise.
- Offer valuable content ideas tailored to their audience.
- Focus on how your post will add value to their existing content.
Action Step:
- Create an enticing subject line and a concise pitch email.
- Be specific about how your guest post can benefit their audience.
4. Resource Pages and Link Roundups
Many high-authority websites maintain resource pages or participate in weekly or monthly link roundups. These pages list helpful articles, tools, or websites related to a specific topic. Getting listed on these pages is a great way to earn valuable backlinks.
A. Find Resource Pages and Roundups in Your Niche
You can find resource pages and link roundups by using search operators like:
- “Keyword + inurl:resources”
- “Keyword + “weekly roundup”
- “Keyword + best articles” or “best links”
Action Step:
- Create a list of websites that regularly update resource pages or run link roundups in your niche.
- Reach out to the webmasters or content managers and suggest your best articles for inclusion.
B. Build Relationships
Engage with these sites through social media or comment sections before reaching out for backlinks. Building rapport will improve your chances of getting featured.
5. Skyscraper Technique
The Skyscraper Technique, created by Brian Dean of Backlinko, is a powerful strategy for earning backlinks. This technique involves finding high-performing content in your niche, creating an even better version of it, and then reaching out to the sites that linked to the original content.
A. Find Content with High Backlink Numbers
Use tools like Ahrefs or BuzzSumo to identify the most-linked-to articles in your industry. Choose a topic where you can offer new insights or improve the content in some way.
Action Step:
- Look for content with a lot of backlinks but outdated information, lack of depth, or poor formatting.
- Improve upon the original content by adding new research, case studies, or data.
B. Outreach to Linkers
Once your content is superior, reach out to websites that linked to the original content, and ask them to consider linking to your improved version instead.
6. Broken Link Building
Broken link building is a method where you identify broken links on authoritative sites and suggest your own relevant content as a replacement. This technique works well because you’re helping the website fix an issue while earning a backlink in return.
A. Use Tools to Find Broken Links
Tools like Ahrefs, Screaming Frog, or Check My Links can help you identify broken links on authoritative websites.
Action Step:
- Find broken links on high-authority sites in your niche.
- Reach out to the webmasters with a polite email, suggesting your content as a replacement.
B. Ensure Relevance
It’s important that your content is directly relevant to the broken link you are suggesting as a replacement. Websites are more likely to accept your suggestion if it’s a seamless fit.
7. Participate in Expert Roundups
Many high-authority sites organize expert roundups where industry experts are asked to contribute their opinions or insights on a specific topic. Being featured in an expert roundup can earn you a backlink while also building your credibility within your niche.
A. Identify Roundup Opportunities
Look for websites that regularly feature expert opinions, such as marketing blogs, business websites, and industry forums.
Action Step:
- Use Google search operators like “expert roundup” or “contribute to roundup” to find opportunities.
- Reach out to the organizers of roundups, offering your expertise and asking how you can contribute.
8. Building Relationships with Influencers and Bloggers
Building long-term relationships with influencers, bloggers, and content creators in your niche can open doors to earning high-quality backlinks. These relationships can lead to collaborations, interviews, and mentions, all of which contribute to valuable backlinks.
A. Provide Value First
Before asking for anything in return, ensure that you are providing value to influencers. Engage with their content, share their posts, or mention them in your blog.
Action Step:
- Make authentic connections by commenting on their blogs or sharing their content on social media.
- Offer to collaborate on content creation or co-host webinars.
B. Engage in Interviews
Interviews are a powerful way to earn backlinks, especially when influencers feature you on their sites or social media platforms.
Action Step:
- Reach out to well-known figures in your industry and suggest an interview.
- Offer unique perspectives, research, or insights that will be valuable to their audience.
9. Use PR Strategies for Link Building
Public Relations (PR) strategies can help you earn backlinks from high-authority sites, especially news websites and publications. Traditional PR tactics, such as press releases or media outreach, can be adapted for SEO purposes to generate backlinks.
A. Craft a Newsworthy Story
If you have an interesting announcement—whether it’s a product launch, a survey result, or an industry milestone—write a press release and pitch it to journalists or bloggers who cover your industry.
Action Step:
- Use PR tools like HARO (Help a Reporter Out) to find journalists who are looking