Link building is the process of building backlinks to your site. Backlinks are links from other sites to your site. The more backlinks a site has, the higher it ranks on the search engines. This also depends on the rank of the site that has linked to your site as well. Link building is the mission of all money-making webmasters.
What Makes Link Building Evolve Over Time
Link building methods have changed over time. A specific method that worked yesterday may not work today. This is due to industry changes and algorithm updates. In some cases, severe link-building abuse, such as spamming blogs, has caused search engines to change their ranking criteria to counter these deceptive practices.
Because of that, it is crucial to stay up to date. Using outdated methods may not only waste your time but harm your website’s reputation.
Today’s Most Effective Link Building Techniques
It is very important to know which link building method works today. That way, you can spend your time in the most productive way. Below are some of today’s popular link building methods.
Article Submission
Beyond publishing articles on your own site or blog, you can also publish your own article in article directories. Not only do you gain backlinks to your site from your published articles, but you also get some traffic as a bonus. Article directory submissions can attract new readers and help with branding.
Article submission is a great way of building backlinks. It provides you with 100% appropriate contextual backlinks that Google loves. These backlinks are natural and relevant, which makes them even more valuable.
Search engine optimization (SEO) has started turning submission to general directories and article listings to its advantage. You could have an excellent website, the latest ecommerce technology, and the best graphic design work. However, does the SEO firm claiming to do article submission and link building really understand how to target your specific market correctly?
Understanding Google’s Algorithms
Google has implemented LSI (Latent Semantic Indexing). It has already started filtering out link farms and low-quality paid links. While it is beyond the scope of this article to explain the mathematics behind LSI, its implications for search algorithms are simple.
LSI uses statistical techniques to create a semantic examination for any given topic. For instance, a page relevant to “laptop” can also rank for “notebook.” This happens even if the page doesn’t contain the word “notebook,” but if LSI sees the semantic connection between them.
Directory Submission
Directory submission used to have a much higher level of effectiveness. Even so, it’s still a popular method that offers benefits to your site’s traffic if done right. There are countless directories, but most of them aren’t worth submitting to.
Major search engines catalog and index directories only if they meet certain quality standards. For example, Google considers a Yahoo Directory link as a quality backlink. If you can afford and justify the cost, submitting to Yahoo Directory is worth it. Yahoo charges $300 per year, and there is no guarantee of approval.
Another good directory to submit to is the BOTW directory, which costs $99 per year or $299 for a permanent listing.
DMOZ is another directory that can benefit your SEO campaign. Keep in mind, however, that it may take months for your site to be reviewed by DMOZ. Also, the probability of getting approved is quite low. That said, submissions to DMOZ are free. Since many smaller directories pull from DMOZ, getting listed there means bonus listings elsewhere.
Social Bookmarking
Social bookmarking worked very well for increasing traffic and rank when it first became popular. It still offers benefits today. If bookmarked on quality bookmarking sites like Digg, Mixx, or Propeller, it can still deliver great results.
Other than backlinks, social bookmarking also offers bonus traffic. It depends on where you submit your content. With a well-organized bookmarking site list, this method is still relevant.
Many great articles go unnoticed on bookmarking sites. This often happens due to weak headlines. A catchy headline is vital. It’s the first—and sometimes the only—thing users see.
While the headline draws attention, the description keeps it. Your description should be thought-provoking and honest. Don’t mislead readers. For instance, avoid writing something like: “This article will reveal 10 sure behaviors to deal with stress once and forever.” It sounds unrealistic, and users won’t take it seriously.
Blog Commenting
Blog commenting has been heavily abused by spammers. Still, it remains a viable method if you approach it carefully. To make the most of it, focus on high-quality blogs in your niche. Leave on-topic, thoughtful, and valuable comments.
These comments should enhance the original post. This increases the chance of approval. It also increases the chances your link will remain.
If you’re commenting to drive traffic to your site, be mindful of how you include links. Use the designated website field when possible. Avoid placing your link directly in the body of the comment unless it’s truly relevant.
When appropriate, link to something specific and related, not just your homepage. This shows good intent and adds value to the conversation.
Press Releases
Submitting to press release sites can earn you some backlinks. However, finding a good list of reputable press release sites is key. Without that, this method won’t be effective.
Quality press release websites include PRLOG.org, WebWire, and PRWEB. These platforms offer good exposure and syndication. A well-written press release on these platforms can result in hundreds of backlinks due to syndication networks.
To succeed, make sure your press release contains genuine news and useful information. Avoid fluff and hype. The better the content, the better the reach.
Social Media and Web 2.0 Pages
Link building has evolved. One big change came with the rise of Web 2.0 platforms. These include social networking sites, wikis, communication tools, and social tagging systems.
You can publish relevant articles on these sites and hyperlink your keywords to your own site. This not only builds backlinks but also increases engagement and reach.
Some popular Web 2.0 sites include Squidoo, Hubpages, Blogger, and WordPress. These platforms are free and offer good authority. They allow you to build a presence and connect with readers.
Social media and Web 2.0 links are very popular today. They work well for improving traffic and search rankings. These platforms offer quality contextual backlinks that search engines appreciate.
Conclusion: Quality Over Quantity
While many other link building methods exist, mastering the above ones is often enough. Focus on quality over quantity. Make sure your content is valuable and your links are natural.
A thoughtful, well-planned link building strategy will always outperform spammy tactics in the long run.
To maximize the effectiveness of your link building efforts, it’s essential to integrate them into a comprehensive digital strategy. Building a strong online presence requires more than just backlinks—it includes consistent branding, engaging content, and strategic website development. For a deeper look into this holistic approach, check out this guide to building web presence effectively.
See More: Trusted Resources on Link Building & SEO
Google Search Central – Link Best Practices
Official guidelines from Google on how to manage outbound and inbound linking.
Moz – The Beginner’s Guide to Link Building
Comprehensive resource from one of the top SEO platforms.
Search Engine Journal – Link Building Strategies
Updated strategies, news, and trends in the world of backlinks.
Ahrefs – What is Link Building?
A detailed guide covering everything from basics to advanced tactics.