Link building has been essential for SEO success for a long time. That has not changed in 2019, and it still remains one of the most important ranking signals.
But link-building trends come and go, and some become less effective. So what still works? Here are five techniques to focus on in 2019.
1. Broken Link Building
Broken link building is an old technique that still works wonders if you do it properly. The basic process involves finding a web page in your niche that:
A) Has lots of links pointing to it
B) No longer exists
There are various tools you can use to find broken links, but Ahrefs is one of the best. The goal is then to create a replacement piece of content on the same topic, then reach out to all those websites linking to the original (non-existent) content and ask them to link to yours instead.
Broken link building works so well because you are providing value to the webmasters you are approaching. Broken links are bad for the user experience, so as long as your content is of a high quality, you should get a few people to link to it.
2. Get Links from Mentions
This can be one of the easiest link-building methods that is still effective in 2019. As long as you have a fairly well-known brand, all you need to do is track mentions of your brand name using a tool like Mention.
Once you get an alert that your brand has been mentioned, check whether the page your name appears on is linking to your website. If not, contact the webmaster and ask if they could link to your website where they mention your brand. It’s an easy win.
3. The Skyscraper Technique
This technique was made famous by Brian Dean from Backlinko, and it is one of the most well-known link-building techniques.
It involves finding content on a topic in your niche that has lots of links, then creating your own content on a similar topic that is even better and adds more value.
You then reach out to the websites linking to the original content and recommend they link to your content instead of (or in addition to) the original content because it provides more value.
Once again, you’re providing value in return for a link, making this an effective technique.
4. Link Roundups
Link roundups are usually blog posts that are designed purely to link to great content on the web – making them perfect for building links.
Search for link roundups in your niche – you should be able to find a few. Then keep tabs on them and interact with them. Comment on them and share them on your social networks.
Once you’ve built a relationship, simply create your own content on a topic that the blog owner is likely to be interested in, then contact them to let them know about it. If it’s a match, you could get an easy link.
5. HARO
This is a good technique that can lead to some authoritative links. Help a Reporter Out is a site that reporters use to find sources for their stories. Sign up and offer yourself as an expert in your niche, and if you end up providing a quote, you may be able to get a good link back to your site.
Keep Building Those Links
These are five link-building techniques that still work in 2019, and they are as effective now as they have ever been. Are they the only techniques that work? Of course not! But these are strong white-hat techniques that you can be sure will still be effective in years to come.
Are there any of these techniques that you have not tried yet? Then give them a go and see if you can boost your SEO in 2019.
