If you’re reading this, you already know the importance of backlinks in SEO. It’s no secret that backlinks are a crucial part of any SEO strategy. In fact, according to a study by Backlinko, backlinks are one of the most important ranking factors for Google. But what if I told you that there are advanced backlinking techniques that most SEO experts still don’t fully understand or utilize?
While most people are familiar with the basics of backlinks—such as guest posting, directory submissions, and social bookmarking sites—few know how to use advanced strategies to gain high-quality links. Backlinking isn’t just about quantity anymore. It’s about quality, relevance, and creating a robust backlink profile that can withstand algorithm updates and improve your site’s long-term authority.
This post will take you on a deep dive into the lesser-known, advanced backlinking strategies that can help you dominate the SERPs (Search Engine Results Pages). You’ll learn how to use social bookmarking sites, profile creation sites, and other innovative techniques to boost your SEO efforts.
Chapter 1: Understanding the Role of Backlinks in Modern SEO
Before we dive into advanced techniques, let’s first understand why backlinks matter in modern SEO.
What Are Backlinks and Why Are They Important?
Backlinks, also known as inbound or incoming links, are links from one website to another. Google views backlinks as votes of confidence. The more high-quality backlinks your website has, the more authoritative it appears in Google’s eyes.
Key Statistics on Backlinks
- Websites with high-quality backlinks rank higher in search results (Moz, 2024).
- 91% of web pages never get organic traffic from Google due to a lack of backlinks (Ahrefs, 2023).
- The top-ranking page on Google has an average of 3.8x more backlinks than pages in positions 2-10 (Backlinko, 2023).
Types of Backlinks
- Dofollow Backlinks – Pass SEO authority (link juice) to your website.
- Nofollow Backlinks – Do not pass SEO authority but can drive traffic.
- UGC & Sponsored Links – Used for user-generated content and paid links.
Chapter 2: Advanced SEO Backlinking Techniques
Now that we understand why backlinks are essential, let’s explore some advanced strategies that most SEO experts don’t leverage effectively.
1. Broken Link Building (BLB)
Broken link building involves finding broken links on relevant websites and reaching out to suggest replacing them with a link to your content.
How to Implement BLB:
- Use Ahrefs or SEMrush to find broken links in your niche.
- Reach out to the website owner and suggest replacing the broken link with your content.
- Provide value by ensuring your content is relevant and helpful.
“The best backlink opportunities are hidden in plain sight. Broken link building is a goldmine if executed correctly.”
2. Advanced Social Bookmarking Sites Strategy
Social bookmarking sites are often overlooked but can be powerful if used correctly. Platforms like Reddit, Digg, and Mix allow you to share valuable content and build engagement.
Best Practices for Social Bookmarking:
- Share high-quality, informative content.
- Engage with the community before dropping links.
- Use relevant tags to maximize visibility.
3. Profile Creation Sites for Authority Building
Profile creation sites let you create profiles with links back to your website. This is a great way to diversify your backlink profile.
Top Profile Creation Sites:
- About.me
- Behance
- Gravatar
- AngelList
Pro Tip: Make sure to fully optimize your profile with relevant keywords and descriptions.
4. The Skyscraper Technique 2.0
This involves finding top-performing content in your niche and creating an even better version of it.
Steps to Implement:
- Identify high-ranking content using BuzzSumo or Ahrefs.
- Improve the content with better visuals, updated stats, and new insights.
- Reach out to websites linking to the original post and ask them to link to your improved version.
5. HARO (Help a Reporter Out) for High DA Backlinks
HARO connects journalists with industry experts. By responding to journalist queries, you can earn high-authority backlinks from news sites.
How to Use HARO Effectively:
- Respond quickly to relevant queries.
- Provide unique insights to stand out.
- Ensure your response is concise and authoritative.
FAQs
1. What are social bookmarking sites in SEO?
Social bookmarking sites allow users to save, share, and organize web pages. They help drive traffic and improve backlink profiles.
2. Are profile creation sites effective for SEO?
Yes! Profile creation sites help build domain authority and create diversified backlinks.
3. How can I ensure my backlinks are high quality?
Focus on relevance, authority, and trustworthiness when acquiring backlinks.
4. Is HARO worth the effort for SEO?
Yes, HARO can help you secure high-DA backlinks from reputable media outlets.
5. What is the best way to use broken link building?
Use SEO tools to find broken links, then offer webmasters your content as a replacement.