If you’re someone who pays attention to detail, you may have noticed an apparent contradiction in the title of this article. If you firmly believe that a natural link is only attained through organic means, then you’ll likely be inclined to raise the question:
Are there any methods to impact the creation of organic links without solely relying on the production of exceptional content?
In order to provide an answer, it will be necessary for us to further explore the precise definition of organic backlinks.
What Are Natural Backlinks?
Many people still find the meaning of a “natural” backlink unclear, even though link diversity is a crucial aspect of a backlink portfolio that is optimal for Google.
Since the most specific statement Matt Cutts has ever made about natural links is that they are superior to non-natural ones, it’s understandable that SEO professionals might have diverse interpretations of the term. It’s reasonable to assume that if you produce content that is engaging and pertinent enough to motivate individuals to link to it, then you’ve successfully created organic links.
If content is not distributed strategically, it can go unnoticed by the intended audience, regardless of its quality. The SEO community is divided on whether this tactic should apply to natural links. To gain insight, topdraw conducted interviews with six prominent SEO experts, producing intriguing responses.
There is no agreement on what exactly constitutes a natural backlink, but from the discussion, different interpretations can be made. Regardless of whether one believes that all actively sought links are artificial or embraces the opposite concept that any relevant link is natural, it is generally accepted that the backlinks that hold the most value are those that:
- Are in a natural context: The content surrounding the link is relevant to that on the target page.
- Provide value for the readers: They actually offer additional information about a certain topic.
- Have an anchor text: The text is integrated with the page contents in a meaningful way.
Naturally, there are several characteristics that can help you assess the significance of a backlink for your site. Depending on the objectives you have established for your enterprise, it should be simple to ascertain whether a link is worth pursuing and if it truly appears organic upon completion.
If you happen to agree with the notion that a link that is obtained through pursuit can still be considered organic, then the following techniques should be taken into account. (Nevertheless, we still recommend that you take a look at these strategies and see if they could be effective for your website.)
1. Offer value instead of asking for links
Eric Ward provided a great illustration of a natural link building approach with outreach in the topdraw post cited. Specifically, after producing a pertinent post, Ward contacted a sector expert whose engagement in the subject matter was evident. The result was the acquisition of a backlink and promotion of the content through some form of word-of-mouth advertising.
Ward’s efforts towards promoting backlink creation were genuine and not forced, according to sources. Similarly, Julie Joyce offers a similar recommendation.
To me, a natural link is one that enhances the quality of someone’s work by being a valuable and appropriate resource, regardless of how it was obtained, whether it was paid for, requested, tweeted, or obtained through any other means.
The use of paid links in SEO is considered dubious and Google’s advanced algorithms monitor it closely, making it an unadvisable option. Nonetheless, the fundamental truth remains that a backlink holds true value only when it is natural.
It is important to consider that connecting with individuals who have an inclination to share the content should be integrated with the concept of organic links. To put it differently, this approach could prove more efficient than solely developing content and anticipating that the viewers will stumble upon it and link it.
2. Make your content targeted and purposeful
Prior to creating content, it would be beneficial to verify if there are any potential opportunities for republishing or linking to it. Reusing familiar subjects can help with keeping a regular publishing schedule, however, if you desire to gain organic backlinks, it’s essential to provide fresh and compelling material.
Hence, it is advisable to create a roster of websites that attract your target audience and ponder about the kinds of content that may capture their attention. In case you aspire to get highlighted on a portal that disseminates industry news and studies, it is prudent to devise a compelling research on a relevant subject matter.
Undoubtedly, it’s a challenge, but adopting this strategy towards content creation can take you further than consistently adhering to the same content structures. Rather than relying on routinely published posts, a solitary white paper or ebook has the potential to acquire more organic backlinks and provide your audience with long-lasting interest.
3. Build something better
Prior to using this approach, it is essential to pinpoint the aim and create material that corresponds with the revealed potential. Utilizing a different individual’s work as a foundation is especially advantageous for polarizing subjects. Provided it is relevant, others may want to align with your perspective when conveying the narrative.
The strategy referred to as the Skyscraper technique involves discovering a widely-read article and creating an improved version of it. For instance, if your competitors are presenting a piece titled “10 Strategies for Personal Finance Management,” you may want to produce a superior guide such as “Over 50 Strategies for Personal Finance Management.”
Subsequently, you need to connect with the appropriate individuals to achieve desired outcomes. Brian Dean, the founder of this approach and the initial communicator of it, points out three crucial stages:
- Step 1: Find link-worthy content.
- Step 2: Make something even better.
- Step 3: Reach out to the right people.
Undoubtedly, the third step holds immense significance in this regard. Yet, content creators producing exceptional content often neglect it, as they assume that remarkable content alone can attract backlinks. However, if this were the case, the skyscraper technique would not qualify as a technique, but rather a mere chance.
4. Collaborate with influencers
After identifying and listing influential individuals or organizations in your field, partner with them to produce exceptional content. Numerous companies in your sector have a special section for the press, where they display articles authored by others about them. Keep an eye on these pages for significant developments and then create a blog post about the topic. However, you must ensure that they do not overlook it, so contacting them to notify them could be beneficial. Both parties are likely to benefit, so why not take the plunge?
5. Never rely on one metric alone
There are numerous SEO metrics available, with almost every tool on the market having at least one. Each metric pertains to a unique aspect, such as the total quantity of backlinks or the quality of content.
When creating backlinks, it is necessary to take various metrics into account, among which is traffic. It is advisable to seek a metric that concentrates on the probability of a page ranking high on SERPs, such as Moz’s Domain Authority. Additionally, one could contemplate a metric that emphasizes the caliber of the websites that are linking to the preferred domain, such as Majestic SEO’s Trust Flow.
It is evident that these companies do not disclose their exact score calculation methods to avoid imitation. Therefore, to evaluate websites, a mix of metrics must be used objectively. Solely relying on one metric without comprehending it fully may result in overlooking beneficial opportunities for link building.
We came to the realization that none of the metrics available could sufficiently provide us with the certainty to either approve or dismiss a website. To resolve this issue, we came up with our own algorithm that takes into account domain-level metrics such as Moz DA and merges them with organic traffic and keyword metrics. (Further details on the development and implementation of our M-Flux metric are available here.)
6. Think like a visitor
Along with metrics, it is necessary to take into account the human aspect when implementing your link building tactics.
Ensure to assess a website thoroughly as a potential link building target by viewing it as a typical visitor. Browse the website to determine if it appears genuine and authentic.
Is the website active on social media? Is the content easily comprehensible? Are they utilizing generic stock images or distinctive pictures?
If the appearance of the website resembles a PBN (private blog network), it is likely to be one. Not only will readers but also search algorithms detect it, hence it should be avoided by all means.
7. Use Facebook’s “About” section to find email addresses
Obtaining email addresses can pose a challenge, and it is widely acknowledged that contact forms are not the most effective when on the hunt for link building prospects.
Looking for email addresses that are not listed on the contact page? Although Hunter.io can be useful, there are simpler and faster methods, particularly if you don’t have a premium account and exhaust your free searches!
Frequently, companies provide an email address in the About section of their Facebook page, which can be accessed by anyone, regardless of whether or not they are logged into Facebook.
To locate an email address, go through the Business Info section and find the Contact Details section. Generally, this email will lead you to the marketing team or online editor, allowing your email to reach its intended recipients.
8. Don’t be afraid to follow up
Sending follow-up emails to your target websites is not considered nagging if it is done for a good cause, so don’t hesitate to do so.
Frequently, my team and I have discovered that follow-up emails yield the highest rate of response. It’s possible that recipients missed or forgot about your initial email, but a follow-up message is more difficult to overlook.
Typically, we tend to do multiple follow-ups, usually two or three. If there is still no reply, it is often an indication that either the recipient dislikes you or the email account is inactive.
If you’re unable to reach a certain contact, seek an alternative. In case that fails and you don’t receive any response, abandon the site. Don’t devote excessive time to sites that overlook you, but rather channel your efforts towards discovering stimulating prospects and handling the ones that do reply.
9. Personalize your outreach templates with unique insights (not just their name)
Although templates are time-saving, they are easily recognizable. Therefore, using a template is recommended, but customizing it to suit your audience is crucial.
The process of personalizing emails can be uncomplicated, requiring just the recipient’s name and integrating their website’s name. However, with the assistance of email sending software like Mailshake, you can distribute your template to a large group while still customizing it with personal details.
In addition to mentioning their names, you should also provide distinctive perspectives about their website. For instance, utilizing SEO tools such as Ahrefs and SEMrush can help you locate their highest-ranking pages. By mentioning your intention to produce a similar piece or imitate their post style, you can help them generate more traffic.
It is common knowledge among site owners that you seek a backlink, but they may agree to collaborate if they believe it would be advantageous. Therefore, it is essential to communicate the advantages of your partnership. If they do not perceive any benefits in your initial email, they are unlikely to inquire further.
10. Follow the site’s contributor guidelines
Several websites feature a page labeled “write for us” which serves as a platform to inform aspiring writers of their expectations.
It is important to adhere to the instructions provided on your target site. The majority of reputable sites have instructions in place, thus it is vital that you utilize them.
Numerous websites require a particular subject line and some may have a verification phrase to confirm your compliance with the content guidelines.
It is advisable to go through the “write for us” page even if it lacks clear guidelines. Some pages contain jokes, which you can incorporate into your outreach email to personalize it. By doing so, the addressee will appreciate that there is a person making the communication and not just a faceless entity sending emails to an extensive list.
The most important takeaway from this article is that the field of link building is constantly changing. Although the strategies we use have been effective for us, they may also be beneficial for you. However, it’s important to note that these are not the only methods for acquiring backlinks.
Explore innovative strategies that suit your style using your creativity and available resources. Since I have been creating backlinks for many years, I have spared you some time with these recommendations. Nonetheless, my top tip is to experiment with various techniques and persist.
