8 Proven Link Acquisition Methods (That Actually Work)

Link acquisition can be a real pain in the you-know-what.

It’s time-consuming, competitive, and downright frustrating.

To help you out, below, find eight proven link acquisition methods that actually work 👇

1. Resource Pages

Resource pages are the golden goose of link building. They’re literally pages designed to link out to other websites. Sounds like an easy win, right? Hmm, not so fast.

While resource pages are a, for lack of a better word, resource waiting to be tapped, you need to know how to play the game. Just having “helpful content” isn’t enough anymore.

You need to stand out from the crowd and make it impossible for those resource page owners to ignore you.

You see, most resource pages are curated by real people (shocking, I know!). Publishers want to provide value to their audience, so your content and insights need to be top-notch.

But here’s where you’ll find real success: It’s not just about the content; it’s about the connections.

Here’s how to make it happen:

• Don’t waste your time on generic resource pages. Go the extra yard and find niche directories and industry-specific hubs where your content will truly shine. And don’t forget about .gov and .edu sites—those links are money.
• No more generic templates! Personalize your outreach emails, show them why your website deserves a spot on their page, and make it clear how it will benefit their audience.
• Don’t just hit and run. Engage with resource page owners on social media, comment on their blogs, and show them you’re a valuable member of the community. Become their go-to expert, and those links will start flowing.

2. Unlinked Brand Mentions

An oldie but still a heck of a goodie: unlinked brand mentions. Think of them as warm leads. Websites that are already talking about you, which means they’re at least somewhat interested in what you have to offer.

All you need to do is give them a little nudge (and maybe a gentle reminder that linking to your website is the polite thing to do).

Now, how do you find these name-droppers that aren’t giving you the link love you deserve?

Google Alerts. Yup, set up alerts for your brand name, product names, and key phrases, and Google will notify you whenever they’re mentioned online.

You can also use social listening tools like Brandwatch and Mention to eavesdrop on online conversations. And don’t forget about brand monitoring platforms like Brand24 and Awario. They’ll keep an eye on what people are saying about you online and alert you to any unlinked mentions.

Once you’ve honed in on a few targets, it’s time to send out some friendly emails.

Just don’t beat around the bush. Politely point out that they mentioned your brand but didn’t include a link. Make it easy for them by providing the exact URL you want them to link to, and offer to answer any questions they might have.

Easy-peasy!

Learn more: how to find brand mentions.

3. Guest Blogging

It’s true: Guest blogging has undoubtedly changed since the old days. Back then, you could churn out generic articles and get them published on just about any website with a pulse.

But those days are gone. Now, websites are more discerning than ever. They want quality, they want relevance, and they want to know you’re not just in it for the backlink.

So, what’s the play here?

First, you need to find the right websites. Don’t waste your time on low-quality sites that will accept just about anything. Look for authoritative websites in your niche with an engaged audience.

Once you’ve found a few potential targets, don’t just fire off a generic pitch. Take the time to analyze their content and understand their audience.

What kind of topics do they specialize in? What’s their writing style? What are their readers interested in? Be concrete on the answers to these questions before reaching out.

For those in the back: Generic pitches absolutely will NOT cut it!

Instead, put together a personalized pitch that makes them say, “Wow, this person actually gets us!”

Highlight your expertise, explain why your content would be a perfect fit for their audience, and show them you’re not just in it for the backlink. Make them feel seen, like you’ve written this pitch just for them… because you did.

Stuck? We’ve got you: guest-posting and blog outreach services.

4. Competitor Backlink Analysis

Alright, how about this? Your competitors have done a lot of the hard work for you.

That’s right. They’ve already spent time and resources building relationships, creating content, and acquiring backlinks. Why not learn from their successes (and maybe their failures)?

How?

First, figure out who your main competitors are. If you don’t know who they are, tools like Ahrefs and Semrush will help you out. If you’re not sure, ask yourself, who are the websites that are outranking you in the search results? Those are your prime targets.

Next, use tools like Ahrefs, SEMrush, or Moz to analyze the competitors’ backlink profiles. These tools will show you where their backlinks are coming from, the anchor text they’re using, and the quality of those links.

But don’t just blindly copy everything they do. Evaluate the links and focus on the high-quality ones from authoritative websites. Look for links that are relevant to your niche and have a strong domain authority. And most importantly, find ways to put your own unique spin on things.

Don’t be a copycat; be an innovator.

5. Image Link Building

Think about it: people are busy. They don’t want to wade through walls of text. They skim, looking for tidbits that are quick to digest. That’s where visuals come in—infographics, data visualizations, illustrations, and even memes (if you’re feeling spicy).

A well-designed infographic or illustration communicates complex information in a way that’s both engaging and memorable. Plus, people are more likely to share visuals on social media, which can lead to a flood of backlinks.

So, how do you turn your visuals into link magnets?

First, make sure they’re actually good. Don’t just slap together a bunch of clip art and call it a day. Hire a designer (or learn some basic design skills yourself) and create visuals that are both informative and visually appealing.

Once you’ve created your visual masterpieces, don’t just let them sit there gathering dust. Promote them.

Share them on image-sharing platforms like Pinterest and Flickr. Make them the star of your social media posts. And don’t be afraid to reach out to relevant websites and blogs and offer your visuals as a valuable resource.

6. Community Engagement

Real talk: link building is a lonely business. You’re hunched over your computer, sending emails, hoping for a response—kind of how I am right now… gosh, depressing.

Anyway, keep in mind that SEO isn’t just about algorithms and spreadsheets. It’s about people. Real, live, breathing people who might actually be willing to link to your website (if you play your cards right).

That’s where community engagement comes in.

Introverts, take a few deep breaths. Extroverts, prepare to unleash your social skills. It’s time to mingle, chat, and make connections.

Start here: Join industry-specific forums and groups on platforms like Facebook, LinkedIn, and Reddit. Share your expertise, answer questions, and don’t be afraid to drag out a meme or two.

Next, attend events and network with other professionals. Explore niche-specific communities that are relevant to your industry. These could be Slack groups, Discord servers, or even online forums dedicated to specific topics.

But here’s the part that’s hard to get right: don’t be a self-promoting jerk. Nobody likes that person who just shows up to a party to hand out business cards.

Instead, be helpful, be engaging, and be genuine. Offer valuable advice, answer questions thoughtfully, and contribute to the conversation. Become a valuable member of the community, and those backlinks will start rolling in.

7. Thought Leadership

Let’s be honest: most SEO content is pretty boring. It’s the same regurgitated information, the same tired tactics, and the same generic advice. It’s like listening to a broken record—repetitive and uninspiring. Admittedly, I’ve written my fair share of copy-and-paste content.

But here’s the thing: you don’t have to be part of the herd. You can be the one who breaks the mold, challenges the status quo, and leads the pack.

How? Be a thought leader.

Generic idea? You got me. To be fair, I did warn you. But here’s where I’ll add my twist: you need to truly embrace the thought leader identity. Wear it like a cape. You want to be the one voice people turn to for fresh insights and innovative solutions.

Be the Rand Fishkin of your niche. Create content that makes readers go, “Wow, I never thought of it that way!” or “Well, I’ll be. I didn’t know that!”

The trade-off for all your hard work? Those backlinks start coming to you naturally. But how do you become a thought leader without sounding like a pompous so-and-so?

It’s simpler than you might think. Start by doing your homework. Don’t just rehash the same old ideas. Conduct original research, analyze data, and share unique insights that will make you stand out from the sea of “experts.”

Then, share your wisdom. Create content that addresses real challenges and offers practical solutions. Think in-depth guides, insightful reports, and actionable advice that people can actually use.

And heck, don’t be afraid to be bold. Challenge the norm, share your opinions, and spark conversations. Hit a balance between helpful and bold, and watch those backlinks roll on in.

8. PR and Marketing Synergy

Most companies treat PR and marketing like they’re two strangers who accidentally bumped into each other at a bar. They awkwardly exchange a few words, then go their separate ways, never to speak again.

But here’s the thing: PR and marketing should be more like best friends who finish each other’s sentences (and link-building campaigns).

PR is all about getting your brand noticed by the right people. Marketing is all about driving traffic and converting customers. When you combine these two forces, it’s a tag team for the ages—a serious force to be reckoned with.

You see, good PR and marketing will get you featured in publications, land interviews, and build relationships with influencers. This creates valuable opportunities for link building, brand awareness, and even direct traffic to your website. Nice!

So, how do you make this dynamic duo work for you?

First, stop treating press releases like they’re just for announcing boring company news. Spice them up with linkable assets, like infographics, data studies, or even just a link to a relevant page on your website.

Next, do away with the generic pitches and start building real relationships with journalists. Offer them valuable insights, exclusive data, and make it easy for them to write about you. Become their go-to source for industry expertise, and they’ll be begging to feature you (and link to your website).

And don’t forget to partner with influencers who are relevant to your niche and have an engaged audience. Offer them something valuable in exchange for their promotion, whether it’s a free product, exclusive content, or just a genuine connection.

Get your PR and marketing ducks in a row, and you’re sure to find link-building success.

Not sure where to start? Easy, start here with our press release services.

Conclusion and Next Steps

From resource page to thought leadership and PR, you’ve now got the knowledge to build a backlink profile that’ll make Google drool.

But if you’re feeling a tad overwhelmed or just prefer to leave it to the experts, we’ve got your back.

Our team of link-building and content marketing teams will help you craft a winning strategy, build relationships with authoritative websites, and create content that’s so good that people will be begging to link to it.

🚀 So, if you’re ready to get this show on the road, head to our link-building services page. 🚀