Backlinks have become the bread and butter of SEO. They act like votes of confidence that signal search engines that your website deserves attention.
A backlink, also known as an inbound link, occurs when one website links to another.
These links tell search engines that the linked website has valuable content, which can result in higher rankings.
Websites sitting at the top of search results didn’t get there by chance.
Research shows they usually have a strong network of backlinks to thank for it. Getting those links, though, isn’t always easy. Some people pay for them, but that’s not the only way.
Here are nine techniques to help you generate high-quality backlinks without spending any money.
1. The Fixer-Upper Technique
This strategy works by identifying outdated content in your niche that’s still attracting backlinks.
Once you spot these content pieces, you can approach the site owners with your updated, improved version and suggest replacing the outdated link with yours.
Find outdated articles
Look for high-link articles that are old and reference outdated information.
For example, an article that still promotes blog commenting as a valid SEO strategy, even though it’s no longer relevant.
Check backlink profiles
To replace outdated content with your own, start by analyzing backlink profiles.
Ahrefs and Ubersuggest are excellent tools for identifying the websites still pointing to these old articles.
We know big tools like Ahrefs and Ubersuggest tie you down with expensive monthly plans, even if you only need one feature.
With SEOModify, it doesn’t have to be that way. If all you want is backlink analysis for one domain, pay for it and move on—nothing more, nothing less.
Send a pitch
Reach out to the website owners with an email that suggests your updated, more relevant content as a replacement.
For example, if an article mentions blog commenting as a strategy, point out that it’s no longer effective and offer your current guide as a replacement.
Example Email Script:
Hi [Website Team],
While browsing your article [insert URL], I noticed it mentions [example], which seems a little outdated.
To help, I’ve created an up-to-date guide on [topic] that might be a perfect replacement for your audience. Here’s the link: [your article].
Do you think it could be a good addition? I’d gladly provide a summary if that helps!
2. HARO (Help a Reporter Out)
Journalists hunting for quotes find experts through HARO, and what follows?
Valuable backlinks heading straight to your website. Especially when they come from high-authority sources like Forbes, these backlinks pack a punch in both weight and credibility.
To make the most of HARO:
Respond Quickly
HARO sends out daily opportunities. Respond quickly, as journalists usually pick the first few responses.
Quality matters
Always provide well-thought-out answers. Every response is a chance to secure a valuable backlink, so don’t rush or give half-hearted answers.
Diversify your responses
Don’t limit yourself to just niche-specific queries. Answer a range of questions within your expertise to increase your chances of being featured.
Unfortunately, it has come to our attention that HARO is no longer available.
If you’re looking for alternatives, here are a couple of great options:
These platforms can help you connect with trustworthy sources and journalists.
3. Article Roundups
An Industry Roundup article is a compilation of the best content, resources, or tools within a particular niche.
These are often curated listings of the top blogs, guides, and other important pieces of information on a given topic.
Being included in these “best of” or industry roundup articles can be a great way to earn valuable backlinks. These posts gather the most relevant and helpful content from the industry, making them a trusted resource for readers.
To find roundups
Search for keywords like “SEO + link roundup” or “this month + keyword” to find roundup posts in your niche.
To find contact info
Use tools like Hunter.io to find the email addresses of people curating these roundups.
Send a pitch
Once your article is live, send a concise pitch to the curators, offering your content as a valuable addition to their roundup.
Example Email Script:
Hi [Name],
I recently published an article on [topic], which provides [unique value].
It seems like a great fit for your roundup on [subject].
If included, I’d be happy to share your roundup with my audience!
4. Broken Link Building
Broken link building involves finding dead links on websites in your niche and offering your content as a replacement.
Here’s how to do it:
Find large sites in your niche
Focus on finding big players in your niche with an impressive number of backlinks.
Identify broke links
Use tools like Ahrefs or SEOModify to identify 404 (not found) links.
Reach out
Contact the website owner and offer your updated content as a replacement for the broken link.
Focus on newer content since websites often prioritize fixing broken links on pages that still receive traffic.
5. Link Exchanges
Link exchanges are all about trading backlinks with other websites.
But here’s the thing—too many link exchanges can violate Google’s guidelines, so you have to be cautious by using this strategy sparingly.
Instead of simply asking for a link exchange, try looking for websites that have already approached you asking for backlinks. If they have content that fits your niche, offer a link exchange in return.
6. Linkable Assets
Linkable assets are content made with one goal in mind: earning backlinks.
Whether it’s a detailed guide or a compelling study, these assets are designed to be valuable enough for others to reference and link to.
Common linkable assets types include:
- Research studies or statistics – People often reference data in their articles.
- Free tools – Tools like calculators or widgets that others want to link to.
- Definitive guides – Comprehensive, long-form content on a specific topic.
To create linkable assets:
- Understand your audience’s needs and interests.
- Research what works for your competitors.
- Gather data from credible sources.
- Make the content visually appealing.
- Share it on your blog, social media, and through outreach.
7. Guest Posting
Guest posting involves writing free content for another website, and the reward is a backlink to your site. It’s a win-win situation where the website owner gets free content, and you get a backlink that boosts your SEO.
It’s still possible to do guest posts for free if you take the right approach.
One method to try is the rankable content guest post pitch, which helps you offer content that’s valuable and relevant to the website you’re targeting.
Find weaker competitors
Use tools like Ahrefs to find websites ranking for keywords your competitors aren’t targeting.
Offer a guest post
Pitch the website owner to write an article on a topic with potential traffic.
8. Leverage Digital PR
Digital PR involves creating newsworthy stories and getting them featured in top online publications. This strategy helps brands build credibility, gain exposure, and attract backlinks from reputable sites.
This method can help you earn some of the best backlinks from authoritative sites.
Start with a timely story
Ensure the story is relevant and newsworthy.
Make your content linkable
Include hard data and statistics to make it more valuable to journalists.
Reach out
Contact journalists who might be interested in your story.
Streamlining Backlink Analysis with SEOMOdify
As you can see the constant search for valuable backlink opportunities, along with keeping tabs on their quality, can feel overwhelming.
The answer? A solid SEO software to manage all your backlink worries.
The catch is, SEO software for agencies isn’t exactly pocket change.
Ahrefs, for example, charges $1,290 yearly for its starter plan, which can be quite a stretch for smaller-scale operations.
Luckily, SEOMOdify has a smarter approach. With its pay-as-you-go pricing, you only pay for the backlink features you use.
This makes it an affordable alternative to expensive subscription models that charge you for everything.
If enhancing your backlink strategy is on your to-do list, SEOMOdify’s free credits are a great way to start.
Try SEOModify today!