Effective Link Building Strategies for 2023: Insights from Recent Successes
In the realm of SEO, effective link building remains a cornerstone strategy for boosting your website’s visibility and authority. Over the past six months, I’ve had the opportunity to implement and refine various link building techniques for different clients, and I’d like to share some valuable insights that keep up with today’s ever-evolving digital landscape.
Understanding the Current Landscape
Over the years, I’ve discussed numerous strategies that can aid in link building. However, what continues to arise in discussions is how to tailor these strategies to specific situations. Recently, a few conversations highlighted different perspectives on link building—some advocated for forum links, while others dismissed backlinks altogether as ineffective. Such misconceptions can cloud a business owner or new SEO’s understanding of this crucial practice.
To clarify and demystify, I want to share the actual methods I’ve found successful with my clients over the last half-year. This modern approach reflects ongoing algorithm changes and practices aligned with the industry’s best standards, especially after the significant updates from late 2022.
If you’re a novice in link building, I recommend looking back at my foundational posts before diving into these advanced strategies. Yet, I’ve aimed to make this information accessible to those newer to the field, and even seasoned SEO professionals may find aspects worth considering.
Diverse Link Sources Matter
Take, for instance, a recent project with a national appliance company aiming to rank among the top three search results for “toaster ovens.” Their previous link building strategy was focused on high-authority websites—online magazines and popular news outlets—all of which created a robust link profile. However, during an audit, I realized the absence of links from smaller, niche sites, particularly mom and tech blogs that engage dedicated audiences.
We pivoted away from solely pursuing high-power sites and began targeting these smaller platforms. Over four months, we cultivated approximately 200 links from community-driven blogs, allowing the client to enhance their visibility significantly. This strategy illustrates the importance of maintaining a varied link profile; it’s not merely about traffic volume or authority but about authentic Engagement from real people.
Utilizing Generic Anchors
Another successful campaign was executed for a mid-sized credit card company looking to compete with industry giants. I recognized that while their rivals were leveraging specific keywords for anchors, they were missing out on a highly effective yet underutilized tactic: incorporating generic anchors with the target keyword nearby.
By crafting links that utilized generic terms paired with the desired