SEO is constantly changing and evolving, and link-building is no different.
Link-building tactics that were viable just 5 years ago are now obsolete (like paying for links and automating generic mass outreach emails).
Why is that?
There are many reasons, including Google Algorithm Updates, emerging search trends (like AI chatbots), and the fact that some tactics simply wear out their welcome.
For example, generic outreach email templates used to work fine for acquiring backlinks – but now site owners have grown tired of seeing them fill up their inboxes every day.
That’s why SEOs need to rethink how they get backlinks periodically.
If your tried-and-true tactics aren’t yielding results anymore, then it’s time to think outside the box and try something new.
The good news is that new link-building techniques are always popping up, so you shouldn’t have to look too far to find some new tactics to try.
To make things easier for you, we’ve put together 5 of the most recent link-building tactics that are bearing fruit.
Instead of focusing on ‘classic’ link-building tactics like the skyscraper technique – you’re better off utilizing techniques like relationship-building, link insertions, and becoming a source for bloggers, reporters, and journalists.
Read on to discover the best ways to get backlinks in 2023 and beyond.
Do Backlinks Still Matter for SEO?
Since SEO changes so much, is it even still worth pursuing backlinks for your SEO strategy?
If you’re optimizing your website for Google Search, then the answer is a definite yes.
Backlinks are still among Google’s strongest ranking signals, and they’re essential for achieving top rankings (positions 10 and above).
In fact, whether or not a website can outrank a competitor usually comes down to the strength of their backlink profiles.
So if you’ve hit a snag and can’t seem to climb higher than your current rank, your competitors likely have higher-authority backlinks pointing to their sites.
You can peek at your competitor’s links by using our free Backlink Checker tool.
Enter your competitor’s URL, and then take a close look at the backlinks they have.
Are there backlinks from sites with DR (domain ratings) of 80 or above? Do you recognize any of the sites linking back to them?
If so, then they have a particularly strong backlink profile.
The good news?
There’s no reason why you can’t pursue backlinks from the same sources to help even the ****.
As long as you have the right tactics, it’s possible to acquire your competitor’s backlinks (or similar ones) to surpass them on the SERPs.
The general rule of thumb is the stronger your backlink profile, the easier it’ll be to rank in the top 5 for your target keywords.
However, if your SEO campaign focuses on Bing instead of Google, backlinks won’t matter as much. That’s because Bing uses a different series of ranking factors, and backlinks aren’t very high on the list.
Check out our Bing SEO guide to discover how to optimize your website for it instead of Google.
5 Effective Ways to Get Backlinks for Your Website
If you want to find success with a modern link-building campaign, you need to ensure you’re using the right tactics.
Here’s an in-depth look at 5 current ways to get backlinks that will provide the best results for your SEO campaign.
#1: Link insertions
While link insertions aren’t exactly new, they’ve recently exploded in popularity.
In the past, most SEOs looked down on link insertions and equated them with ‘link begging.’
That all changed once the effectiveness of the technique became apparent.
Link insertions are excellent because they require less outreach than guest posts, you can target virtually every website in your niche, and they get indexed quicker than guest blogs.
The technique involves reaching out to site owners to place one of your links in an existing piece of their content.
For example, if an ultimate guide you created would work as a supplementary piece to an existing blog on another website, you can ask the site owner to add the link for you.
All you have to do is write some optimized anchor text for the link, and you’re done.
The catch?
You will have to find a way to add value to the website owner, as adding one of your links to an old post doesn’t do much for them.
To sweeten the pot, you can add new insights/images/infographics to the post to make it fresh and rankable again. Or you could offer the site owner the chance to write a guest post on your website – granting them a backlink in return.
Since link insertions don’t involve any content creation (unlike guest posts), they’re a lot faster to acquire. Not only that, but you won’t have to wait long for the backlink to start affecting your SEO, as you’re inserting it into a piece of content that’s already in Google’s index.
#2: Using HARO (Help-a-Reporter-Out)
Another effective way to acquire backlinks is to become a resource for bloggers, reporters, and journalists on HARO.
Whenever you sign up as a source, you’ll receive a regular set of emails each day (morning, afternoon, and evening) that contain requests from journalists.
In particular, they’re looking for experts to provide information on a certain topic (they’re categorized by industry, like business/finance, entertainment, etc.) for a piece they’re writing.
As long as you’re able to find requests that align with your expertise, you can send a pitch to the journalist.
Provide some valuable insights and display your knowledge on the subject, and don’t forget to ask for a shout-out via a backlink if they use your pitch.
When done correctly, this is a highly effective way to generate lots of authoritative backlinks from trusted sources.
You just need to make sure that you’re able to provide value to the journalist, as they will receive more than one pitch for their request.
Accordingly, your pitch needs to shine above the rest if you want to land a backlink out of it.
For this reason, you should only respond to requests that you’re very knowledgeable about.
The last thing you want to do is send out a bunch of mediocre pitches on subjects you aren’t an expert on, as you’ll just be wasting your time.
Also, the quicker you can reply to a request, the better. If possible, try to respond to a pitch within 30 minutes after it goes live.
Lastly, quickly vet each media outlet by checking their domain rating to determine if a backlink from them is worth it or not.
#3: Relationship building
Since generic outreach templates are all but antiquated in today’s age, SEOs are now flocking towards building links by forming relationships instead.
What’s that?
Relationship-based link-building involves forming long-term bonds with other website owners in your niche.
That way, you can continue to generate backlinks for one another instead of a one-and-done deal.
Not only that but forming relationships with other websites is a great way to network and discover new link sources. By sharing your sources with a partner, you’ll both find new opportunities to acquire backlinks.
Of course, you should only try to form relationships with thought leaders in your industry – as partnering with low DR sites won’t do you any favors.
Taking this approach requires most SEOs to rethink the way they approach backlink outreach.
Instead of asking for a link outright, your goal is to connect with the website owner and form a bond. That means connecting with them on social media platforms and interacting with their posts in a genuine way.
Only after getting to know them should you introduce the idea of building links together.
If you’re able to form a network of high-authority link partners in your industry, dominating the SERPs will become far easier.
#4: Guest blogging
Some classic ways to get backlinks never go out of style, and guest blogging is definitely one of them.
Writing high-quality guest blogs on trusted sites in your niche is still one of the most reliable ways to acquire desirable backlinks.
In addition to landing backlinks, guest posts are also excellent for raising brand awareness and introducing your content to a new audience.
They’re a tad trickier and more time-consuming than link insertions, but that doesn’t mean that they aren’t worth it.
Here’s a quick method for finding websites in your niche that accept guest blogs.
Head over to Google Search and type ‘’your niche keyword – blogs that accept guest posts.’
#5: Creating ultimate guides and infographics
If you create outstanding content that provides value to your niche, then you’ll be able to acquire backlinks without even trying.
That’s because content like ultimate guides and infographics (especially ones containing relevant statistics) generates the most backlinks online.
So if you’re able to write an ultimate guide for a topic that your target audience wants to learn about, the backlinks will start raking in.
Wrapping Up: 5 Ways to Get Backlinks
Link-building is always going through changes due to a variety of reasons, which means eventually, the tactics you use will go out of style.
For now, the 5 techniques in this guide are the cream of the crop for boosting your backlink profile.
Do you want to reach the top of the SERPs in your industry?
Then don’t wait to check out our Link Insertion and Link Outreach Services from The HOTH. Our link-building gurus are well-versed in all the most effective techniques, so don’t wait to book a call today.
