Want higher domain authority? Here are 7 proven ways to build quality backlinks in 2024:
- Get links from high-DA sites: Focus on securing backlinks from reputable websites in your niche
- Create linkable content: Develop data-driven content and original research that naturally attracts links
- Write guest posts: Contribute quality content to authoritative industry websites
- Fix internal linking: Build a clear site structure with strategic internal links
- Monitor backlinks: Regularly audit your link profile and remove toxic links
- Find broken links: Replace dead links on other sites with your content
- Partner with experts: Build relationships with industry leaders for natural link opportunities
Key stats worth noting:
- 90% of websites get zero organic traffic due to lack of quality backlinks
- Data-driven content can generate 2x more backlinks than regular content
- Backlinko's stats pages (16% of content) earned 32% of their backlinks
Your domain authority strategy should focus on:
- Building links from relevant, trusted websites
- Creating high-quality, original content
- Maintaining a clean link profile
- Following Google's guidelines for natural link building
| Strategy | Impact | Effort Level |
|---|---|---|
| High-DA Backlinks | High | High |
| Original Research | High | High |
| Guest Posting | Medium | Medium |
| Internal Linking | Medium | Low |
| Link Monitoring | Medium | Low |
| Broken Link Building | Medium | Medium |
| Expert Partnerships | High | High |
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1. Get Links from Strong Websites
Getting backlinks from well-established and trusted websites can make a huge difference in improving your domain authority. In fact, an Ahrefs study found that 90% of websites get no organic traffic, often because they lack quality backlinks. This highlights just how critical it is to secure links from credible sources.
To pinpoint the right websites, use tools like Semrush to evaluate metrics like domain authority and spam scores. Focus on sites that are not only reputable but also closely related to your niche. For example, if you're in the tech industry, a link from TechCrunch will be far more beneficial than one from an unrelated high-authority blog in another field, like fashion.
"The authority of the page linking to you has a significant impact on your search engine rankings. Editorial links from trusted sources are worth their weight in gold", says Marie Haynes, an SEO consultant known for helping websites recover from Google penalties.
When you're aiming to secure links, keep these factors in mind:
- Editorial placement: Links sprinkled naturally within the content will always have more value compared to those placed in footers or sidebars.
- Niche relevance: A website closely tied to your industry will amplify the benefits of the backlink.
- Spam score: Make sure the site’s spam score is low before pursuing the link.
You can also explore resource pages on authoritative websites. These pages often compile useful links to valuable industry content. Because they maintain stringent editorial standards, they can be a great way to get noticed - just be sure your content genuinely benefits their audience.
| Link Type | Impact on Domain Authority | Priority Level |
|---|---|---|
| Editorial Content Links | Very High | Top Priority |
| Resource Page Links | High | Secondary Priority |
| Directory Links | Moderate | Lower Priority |
2. Create Content Worth Linking To
Want to attract backlinks effortlessly? It starts with crafting content that others can’t resist linking to. Some content consistently outperforms the rest when it comes to earning those coveted links - especially data-driven work.
Original research and statistics are top performers in this space. Take a page out of Backlinko’s playbook. Their stats pages make up just 16% of their entire content but pull in a staggering 32.17% of their backlinks. For instance, their Twitch Growth Stats page alone racked up 1.3K backlinks from 457 unique domains. Numbers like that speak volumes about the effectiveness of well-researched, data-based content.
Here’s a quick breakdown of content types known for attracting links:
| Content Type | Link Potential | Ideal Use Case |
|---|---|---|
| Statistics Pages | Very High | Industry trends and benchmarks |
| Original Research | High | Unique insights and discoveries |
| Resource Guides | Medium-High | In-depth topic coverage |
"The key to attracting quality backlinks is creating content that serves as a reliable reference point for others in your industry", says Brian Dean of Backlinko, a pro at using data-driven strategies for building links.
If you’re aiming for content that stands out, depth and originality should be your priorities. What does that mean? Go beyond the basics. Consider:
- Publishing thorough industry studies with exclusive data
- Building comprehensive resource pages that become must-have guides
- Providing regularly updated statistics on topics in your niche
But creating great content is only half the battle. Make sure it’s optimized for search engines and useful for your readers. Nail this balance, and your content can generate backlinks while driving organic traffic - a win-win that boosts your domain authority over time.
For extra reach, showcase your best resources on directories like Content and Marketing. You’ll gain exposure among creators and marketers eagerly looking for solid reference materials to link to.
3. Write Guest Posts on Other Sites
Guest posting is still one of the most effective ways to earn authority links in 2024. To make it work, you need to focus on two things: choosing the right sites and creating excellent, audience-focused content.
Finding the Right Platforms
Start by identifying websites that complement your niche and have strong authority. A helpful way to locate opportunities is by using advanced search operators. For instance, combine your keyword with terms like "inurl:write-for-us" or "guest post guidelines." For those in digital marketing, searching "digital marketing" + "write for us" can lead you to sites open to contributors.
When considering where to pitch, evaluate:
| Criteria | What to Look For | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Domain Authority | A score of 40+ DA | Ensures your link carries weight |
| Content Quality | Consistent updates, engaged readers | Indicates an active, trusted site |
| Editorial Standards | Clear contributor guidelines | Reflects professionalism and quality |
Creating Strong Content
For your guest post to stand out, it needs to deliver real value - and stay within Google’s rules. As Backlinko highlights regarding Google Guidelines: "Creating links that weren't editorially placed or vouched for by the site's owner on a page... can be considered a violation."
Keep the quality high by:
- Offering unique insights or data not widely available
- Backing up your points with up-to-date industry stats
- Giving readers actionable tips they can actually use
This kind of content doesn’t just fill space - it earns trust and encourages natural linking.
Building Valuable Relationships
Guest posting isn’t just about dropping a backlink; it’s about creating lasting connections. When you make an effort to stay in touch with site editors and owners, you gain more than just a link. Regularly contributing high-quality posts to a handful of authoritative sites can do more for your credibility - and link profile - than scattering articles across dozens of platforms.
In short, guest posting done right establishes expertise, builds backlinks, and positions you as a go-to authority in your field.
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4. Fix Your Internal Link Structure
A strong internal link structure serves as a roadmap, guiding both search engines and users through your site. Imagine your website as a city - internal links are the streets connecting all the neighborhoods of your content.
Building a Clear Link Hierarchy
Your site should be organized with a clear flow, starting from general topics and leading to narrower, in-depth content. For example, if you run a service page on "Content Marketing", it should naturally connect to subtopics like "Content Strategy", "Content Creation", and "Content Distribution." This setup makes it easy for users and search engines to navigate and understand your site.
Here’s a quick look at how to structure internal links effectively:
| Link Type | Purpose | Best Practice |
|---|---|---|
| Navigation Links | Keep site structure clear | Limit menu items to 7 or fewer |
| Contextual Links | Show content relationships | Use precise, descriptive anchor text |
| Footer Links | Highlight key pages | Include important service pages |
Crafting Effective Anchor Text
What you say in your links matters. Avoid generic terms like "click here" or "read more." Instead, write anchor text that clearly describes the page it links to. For example, swap "learn more here" with "explore our content marketing services."
Boosting Discoverability
Search engines can’t rank what they can’t find. Make sure every page is no more than three clicks from your homepage. This ensures search engines can crawl and index your site properly and helps spread link authority. Cluster your content into hubs - use pillar pages for main topics that connect to detailed articles on related subjects.
"Internal linking helps search engine bots crawl your website more efficiently, which aids in indexing your pages."
5. Check Your Links Regularly
Keeping an eye on your links is like taking care of a garden - it requires ongoing attention to stay in good shape. Regularly monitoring your backlinks helps protect your site’s authority and ensures your link strategy stays effective. Tools like Moz, Semrush, or Ahrefs can make this process much easier by identifying links that could harm your site’s reputation.
Performing a Thorough Link Audit
A strong link audit involves analyzing key aspects of your backlink profile. Here’s a breakdown:
| Aspect | What to Check | What to Do |
|---|---|---|
| Link Quality | Authority of linking domains | Remove links from domains with low DA (below 20) |
| Spam Score | Patterns of toxic or spammy links | Disavow links with spam scores higher than 60% |
| Link Diversity | Range of referring domains | Aim to build links from industry-relevant sources |
Spotting and Dealing With Toxic Links
Not all backlinks are beneficial. Poor-quality or toxic links can drag down your site’s authority. Tools like Moz’s Domain Authority metrics can help you pinpoint which links to keep and which to cut. Focus on securing links from trustworthy, reputable sources while cleaning up harmful connections.
"High spam scores can significantly harm your domain authority, making it essential to monitor and remove such links regularly through Google's Disavow Tool."
Keeping Your Link Profile in Shape
Schedule regular reviews - every quarter is a good rule of thumb. These link check-ups can reveal both risks and new opportunities. Be on the lookout for:
- Changes in referring domains, especially drops in domain authority.
- Unexpected spikes in new backlinks, which may signal spam.
- Links from sites that might have shifted owners or purpose.
- Broken links or redirects that need fixing.
A consistent review schedule ensures your link profile stays secure and supports your overall SEO efforts. By staying proactive, you can protect your site and identify fresh ways to grow your authority.
6. Find and Fix Broken Links
Broken link building offers a smart way to gain backlinks while providing a helpful solution to site owners. By spotting dead links on reputable websites and offering content to replace them, you can improve your SEO and help others keep their pages functional.
Finding Broken Link Opportunities
To locate broken links, combine smart search techniques with a bit of competitor research. Try search queries like "industry + useful resources" or "topic + helpful links." These often lead you to resource pages that may contain outdated links. Focus on well-established sites in your niche since they offer more impactful linking potential.
| Search Type | Example Search String | Target Pages |
|---|---|---|
| Resource Pages | "marketing tools" + inurl:links | Tool or resource lists |
| Industry Guides | "SEO resources" + "helpful links" | Guides or resource pages |
| Competitor Links | [Brand name] + "recommended" | Review or referral pages |
Creating Replacement Content
Your offering needs to be top-notch to make replacing a broken link appealing. To increase your chances, ensure your content:
- Covers the same topic as the broken link
- Provides up-to-date and thorough information
- Matches the tone and structure of the site you're approaching
- Includes credible statistics or expert analysis
"Editorial placement of links remains crucial for sustainable domain authority growth. Focus on creating genuinely valuable content that naturally deserves to replace broken links."
In short, your replacement should feel like a seamless fit for the site's audience.
Outreach Strategy
When you're ready to reach out, strike the right tone - professional yet helpful. Let the website owner know about the broken link's location and explain how your content serves as a better alternative. Keep your email concise: mention the specific broken URL and offer your replacement content. Short, clear messages often get more responses than drawn-out emails.
For resource pages, take a moment to study their layout and content style before crafting your pitch. If your content fits perfectly with their goals, you've got a much higher chance they'll add your link.
7. Work with Industry Experts and PR
Collaborating with industry experts and utilizing PR tools can help you earn valuable backlinks, which are critical for growing your domain authority. The focus should always be on genuine relationships that lead to editorially-placed links - Google’s preferred type of backlink.
Strategies for Partnering with Experts
When reaching out to industry leaders, aim for mutually beneficial collaborations. Think content that includes their insights or co-authored research projects. This approach makes it easier for them to share your work and link to it from their platforms.
| Collaboration Type | Benefits | Success Metrics |
|---|---|---|
| Expert Roundups | Combines perspectives from multiple experts; encourages natural sharing | 30-50% expert participation rate on average |
| Joint Research | Provides original, highly linkable data | Increased citations from industry sources |
| Industry Surveys | Produces data other websites love to reference | Opportunity for recurring yearly citations |
Using PR Tools Effectively
PR platforms can simplify your outreach efforts. Directories like those from Content and Marketing offer tools that help locate and connect with relevant industry experts. They can also track media mentions and automate follow-ups, making it easier to secure linking opportunities.
Brian Dean’s work with Backlinko is a prime example of this approach in action. His statistics pages attracted an incredible 1.3K backlinks from 457 domains because they provided valuable resources that people naturally wanted to cite.
"Creating links that weren't editorially placed or vouched for by the site's owner on a page, otherwise known as unnatural links, can be considered a violation of our guidelines." - Google Guidelines
Establishing Editorial Relationships
Focus on building long-term partnerships with industry publications and their editors instead of just seeking quick wins. This method is far more reliable for consistent link-building over time. When pitching ideas, your content should align with the publication’s style, audience, and goals.
Relevance is key. A single backlink from a highly relevant and respected source in your field often has more impact than dozens of links from unrelated sites. When working with experts or pursuing PR opportunities, prioritize quality connections over volume.
Conclusion
Building domain authority takes thoughtful planning and consistent effort. It’s not just about technical fixes or creating links but developing a well-rounded approach that combines content quality with a solid technical base. The seven tips shared in this guide work together to strengthen your website’s authority while setting you up for long-term success in link building.
While domain authority (DA) isn’t a direct ranking factor in Google’s eyes, the steps to improve it align closely with what Google values: quality, relevance, and user experience. By focusing on these areas, you’re also improving how your site appears in search results.
Take Backlinko’s statistics pages as an example. These pages earned 1,300 backlinks from 457 unique domains. Why? Because they provided information that others found useful and worth linking to - proof that valuable, link-worthy content is key to acquiring links at scale.
| Strategy Component | Primary Benefit | Long-Term Results |
|---|---|---|
| High-Authority Links | Boosts DA quickly | Builds stronger topical trust |
| Linkable Content | Attracts links naturally | Sustains traffic and link growth |
| Technical Improvements | Better crawling and indexing | Distributes link equity better |
The formula here is straightforward: produce content that people want to link to, foster genuine connections with industry players, and maintain a technically sound website. By doing so, you’re not just chasing backlinks; you're building a strong foundation for the future of your organic performance.
"Creating links that weren't editorially placed or vouched for by the site's owner on a page, otherwise known as unnatural links, can be considered a violation of our guidelines." - Google Guidelines
Achieving high domain authority isn’t an event; it’s an ongoing process. Regular backlink audits, keeping your content relevant and updated, and cultivating relationships across your industry - all of these should be part of your routine. When you work to genuinely provide value to your audience, high-quality backlinks will naturally follow.
