Six core link building strategies for SEO beginners

Executive overview

Getting backlinks from other sites is one of the most important factors in search engine optimisation. Without links, even good content won't rank.

Six proven strategies cover the main ways to earn links — from creating content worth linking to, through outreach-based tactics, to competitive research.

The fastest path to backlinks is understanding why someone would link to you before you ask.

The six link building strategies

1. Linkable assets — Create content so valuable that sites link to it without being asked. Examples: Brian Dean (Backlinko), Moz, Neil Patel.
2. Guest blogging — Write articles for other sites to earn backlinks. Use a structured outreach approach ("Robin Hood technique") to make this scalable.
3. Broken link building — Find broken links on high-authority sites and offer your content as a replacement. Low success rate, but the upside justifies the effort.
4. Niche monitoring — Track your niche in real time and reach out immediately when relevant content is published. Timing is the advantage.
5. Link intersect — Identify sites linking to all your competitors but not you. A simple introduction email is often enough to earn the link.
6. Competitor research — Find every site linking to a competitor you want to outrank, then work through that list systematically.