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name: seo-backlink-strategy description: Plan and execute backlink acquisition strategies to build domain authority. Use when developing link building campaigns, analyzing competitor backlinks, or deciding which link building tactics to prioritize based on available resources. allowed-tools:

• WebSearch
• Read

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SEO Backlink Strategy

Plan and execute effective backlink acquisition strategies to build domain authority.

Why Backlinks Matter

Backlinks = Endorsements. Google views links from other sites as votes of confidence. But not all votes are equal:

• Domain Authority is logarithmic: DA 50 = 10x more powerful than DA 40
• Quality > Quantity: One CNN link (DA 90) > 100 low-DA links
• Link juice distribution: If a page has 100 links, value is split. 2 links = more value each.

In the AI Era: LLMs like ChatGPT pull from top-ranked, well-linked sources. Backlinks still determine authority for AI recommendations.

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The 10 Backlink Strategies

Quick Reference

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Strategy 1: Build Good Products

Foundation of all link building.

Great products naturally attract links. If your product is mediocre, no amount of outreach will compensate.

Checklist:

Copy□ Product solves a real problem
□ Better UX than competitors
□ Unique value proposition
□ Shareable/remarkable features
□ Free tier or demo available

Natural link triggers:

• Unique features worth writing about
• Free tools that provide value
• Impressive results/case studies
• Newsworthy launches

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Strategy 2: Link Stealing

Find where competitors get links → pitch your superior product.

Process

1. Identify competitor: Search your keyword, find top ranker
2. Analyze in Ahrefs: Site Explorer → Backlinks tab
3. Find opportunities: Open linking sites, find relevant articles
4. Get contacts: Use Hunter.io to find writer/editor emails
5. Outreach: Pitch your better alternative

Email Template

CopySubject: Quick note about your [article title]

Hi [Name],

I noticed your article mentions [Competitor]. We've built [Product]
which [specific improvement over competitor].

Would you consider including us? Happy to provide a free account
to test it out.

[Your name]

Success Tips

• Target articles that aren't too positive about competitor
• Offer something of value (free access, exclusive data)
• Be prepared for low response rate
• Some writers accept compensation

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Strategy 3: Affiliate Programs

Pay affiliates to promote → they add backlinks naturally.

Setup

1. Use Rewardful (clean URLs, Stripe integration)
2. Offer competitive commission: 30-40%
3. Outcompete competitors' affiliate programs

Advanced: Steal Competitor Affiliates

1. Ahrefs → Site Explorer → competitor URL
2. Search backlinks containing "?via=" or "?ref="
3. These are affiliate links → contact those affiliates
4. Offer double their current commission

Results Example

• HeadshotPro: 601 unique backlinks from affiliates
• High DA sites like Elegant Themes (DA 94)

Managing Spam

• Affiliate links can attract low-quality sites
• Use Google Search Console → Disavow tool
• Tell Google to ignore spammy links

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Strategy 4: Domain Acquisition

Buy established sites → inherit their backlinks.

Process

1. Find targets: Old tool sites with good backlink profiles
2. Mass outreach: Email asking if they'd sell
3. Negotiate: Expect $5K-$20K for good domains
4. Acquire & redirect: 301 redirect to your main site

Example

• Bought ProfilePictureMaker.com for $8,700
• 14-year-old domain with established authority
• 301 redirect → gained 400+ backlinks instantly

What to Look For

• Domain age (older = better)
• Existing backlink profile (check Ahrefs)
• Relevance to your niche
• Clean history (no spam penalties)

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Strategy 5: HARO / Help a B2B Writer Out

Respond to reporter queries → get featured in articles.

Platforms

• HARO: helpareporter.com
• Help a B2B Writer Out: helpab2bwriter.com (HubSpot, Zendesk writers)

Process

1. Sign up for daily/weekly emails
2. Monitor for relevant queries
3. Respond with expert insights
4. Include credentials (followers, past features)

Success Tips

• Low success rate due to AI spam
• Include Loom videos for personal touch
• Position yourself as credible expert
• Outsource drafts to VA, add your authority

Potential

• DA 90+ backlinks (HubSpot, major publications)
• Worth the effort despite low hit rate
• Competitors also struggle → competitive advantage

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Strategy 6: Case Studies for Backlinks

Write about tools you love → get featured on their site.

Process

1. Identify tools you genuinely use and love
2. Reach out offering to write a case study
3. They feature you → backlink included

Email Template

CopySubject: Love your product - case study offer

Hi [Team],

We've been using [Tool] for [X months] and achieved [specific result].

Would you be interested in featuring our story as a case study?
Happy to provide detailed information for your team.

[Your name]

Tips

• Target newer/smaller tools (not HubSpot-level)
• Look for tools with few existing case studies
• Companies love social proof → win-win
• Provide real metrics and results

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Strategy 7: Content Rings

Build free tools → link them to your main site.

Concept

• Create multiple free tools/sites
• Each links back to your main product
• Google crawls these → indexes your new sites faster
• Instant baseline backlinks for new launches

Implementation

CopyFree Tool 1 (DA 30) ──┐
Free Tool 2 (DA 25) ──┼──→ Main Product
Free Tool 3 (DA 35) ──┘

Caution

• Keep it to 3-5 owned sites
• Must be legitimate, useful tools
• Don't create PBN-style spam networks
• Each tool should have real value

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Strategy 8: Manual Outreach

Directly contact writers/publications → pitch your product.

High-Value Targets

• Major publications (CNET, TechCrunch)
• Industry bloggers
• Newsletter writers
• Podcast hosts (show notes links)

Approach

1. Find relevant content: Articles about your niche
2. Add value first: Offer free access, exclusive data
3. Don't ask directly: Let them decide to write
4. Follow up: Sometimes takes months

Example Success

• CNET: Offered free access + new AI model news → full blog post
• A16Z: Asked for backlink in podcast show notes → added

Key Principles

• Don't spam
• Provide genuine value
• Build relationships over time
• Patience pays off

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Strategy 9: Leverage Audience / Influencers

If You Have an Audience

• Post product updates → followers write about it
• Tech writers following you may feature product
• Even tweets count as backlinks

If You Don't Have an Audience

Partner with influencers:

1. Find relevant influencers (TikTok, YouTube, Twitter)
2. Offer ~$200 for product review
3. Goal: Exposure → someone with a blog writes about it
4. Every mention creates potential backlinks

Engagement Strategy

• Engage with influencer content first
• Build genuine relationships
• DM with personalized pitch
• Offer exclusive access/features

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Strategy 10: Other Methods

Linkable Assets

• Create infographics with research data
• Original studies/surveys
• Free templates/resources
• Others link when referencing

Broken Link Building

1. Find broken links on relevant sites
2. Create content to replace dead link
3. Pitch site owner: "I noticed broken link → here's replacement"

Skyscraper Technique

1. Find highly-linked content in your niche
2. Create significantly better version
3. Outreach to sites linking to original
4. Pitch your improved content

Guest Posting

• Write articles for other blogs
• Include backlink in author bio or content
• Focus on relevant, high-DA sites

Podcasting

• Guest on podcasts
• Backlink in show notes
• Build authority simultaneously

Link Swapping

• Exchange links with relevant sites
• Use sparingly → Google detects excessive swapping
• Must be genuinely relevant sites

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What NOT to Do

1. Low-Quality Link Buying ❌

• Fiverr $10 backlink packages
• Leads to permanent de-ranking
• Google eventually catches ALL spam

2. Over-Optimized Anchor Text ❌

• Spamming keywords in anchor text
• "professional headshots" repeated unnaturally
• Google recognizes and penalizes

3. Spammy URL Injection ❌

• Posting links everywhere on Quora/Reddit
• Spam comments on blogs
• Detectable and harmful

4. Private Blog Networks (PBNs) ❌

• Fake blogs linking to each other
• Google increasingly catches these
• Fast route to being banned

5. Irrelevant Site Submissions ❌

• Headshot site linking from travel blog
• Raises red flags
• Wastes time, no SEO benefit

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Strategy Selection Framework

Based on Resources

Priority Order for New Sites

1. Foundation: Build great product
2. Quick wins: Case studies, Content rings (if you have tools)
3. Ongoing: Affiliate program, Link stealing
4. Long-term: HARO, Manual outreach
5. Amplification: Audience leverage

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Tracking & Measurement

Monthly Tasks

1. Monitor competitor backlinks (Ahrefs)

   • Filter by DA > 25
   • Count new unique domains in past 30 days

2. Track your backlink growth

   • New referring domains
   • Average DA of new links

3. Maintain spreadsheet

   • Outreach sent
   • Responses received
   • Links acquired
   • DA of each link

Success Metrics

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Reference Files

• STRATEGIES.md - Detailed playbooks for each strategy