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If you want your website to rank on Google, you need backlinks. Period.
But here’s the problem — most advice on how to get backlinks is either outdated, spammy, or just doesn’t work anymore. In 2026, Google is smarter than ever, and so are the AI systems like ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Google AI Overviews that are now shaping how people discover content.
The good news? Getting high-quality backlinks is very much possible — even if you’re a beginner. You just need the right strategies.
In this guide, you’ll learn exactly how to get backlinks using 10 tactics that are working right now. From quick wins you can try today to long-term strategies that build real authority, this guide covers it all — step by step, in plain English.
Let’s dive in.
What Is a Backlink and Why Does It Still Matter in 2026?
In the ever-evolving world of digital marketing, a backlink remains the fundamental “vote of confidence” from one site to another. When a reputable platform links to your pages, it signals to search engines that your content is credible, authoritative, and worth sharing. However, understanding how to get backlinks today requires looking beyond traditional search results.
In 2026, the value of a link has expanded. Beyond boosting your rank on Google, backlinks now serve as vital data points for AI engines like Gemini, ChatGPT, and Perplexity. When these AI systems crawl the web to synthesize answers, they prioritize brands that are frequently cited by other trusted sources. Learning how to get backlinks from high-authority sites is now the primary way to ensure your brand is recommended by AI-driven search interfaces.
What Makes a High-Quality Backlink in 2026?
The era of “link farming” is long gone. Today, the focus is entirely on the integrity of the connection. If you want to master how to get backlinks that actually move the needle, you must prioritize quality over sheer volume.
A single link from a prestigious industry publication is infinitely more valuable than hundreds of links from obscure, low-traffic directories. Here is what defines a powerful link in the current landscape:
| Factor | What It Means |
| Relevance | The linking site operates within your specific niche or a closely related industry. |
| Trust | The site possesses rigorous editorial standards and maintains a loyal, human audience. |
| Context | The link is embedded naturally within the body of an article, not hidden in a footer or sidebar. |
| Authority | The source is recognized as a leader or “thought head” in its respective field. |
| Persistence | The link remains live on a page that is frequently crawled and updated. |
Strategy is key. When you focus on how to get backlinks that meet these criteria, you aren’t just building SEO equity—you are building a digital reputation that stands the test of time.
How to Get Backlinks: 10 Tactics That Actually Work
1. Reclaim Unlinked Brand Mentions
If you are looking for the most efficient path to success, reclaiming unlinked mentions is one of the fastest ways to learn how to get backlinks. The logic is simple: the hard work of earning a shout-out is already finished.
An unlinked brand mention occurs when a digital publication, blogger, or industry peer discusses your brand, product, or unique data but fails to include a clickable URL. Since they are already advocating for your brand, these creators are usually more than happy to turn that plain text into a live link.
How to Discover Unlinked Mentions
To master how to get backlinks via reclamation, you first need to audit the web for your brand name. Try these steps:
Google Search Operators: Use a query like
"Your Brand Name" -site:yourdomain.comto find sites talking about you that aren’t your own.Social & Video Noise: Filter out platforms like Facebook or X (Twitter) to focus on blogs and news sites.
Media Contexts: Don’t forget to check podcast show notes, YouTube descriptions, and “Best of” listicles.
Comparison Reviews: Look for articles comparing your product to competitors where a link might have been missed.
The Art of the Reach-Out
Once you’ve identified a target, the key to how to get backlinks through this method is a low-pressure, high-value email. Here is a proven template:
Subject: Quick request regarding your [Article Title] piece
Hi [Name],
I was just reading your recent article, “[Article Title],” and noticed you mentioned [Your Brand]—thank you so much for the shout-out!
I’m reaching out to see if you’d be open to adding a link to [URL]. I think it would provide extra value for your readers who want to dive deeper into [Topic].
Best, [Your Name]
This tactic works because you’re not asking for a favor out of thin air — they already like your brand enough to mention it. According to Ahrefs, converting unlinked mentions is one of the highest-ROI link building activities available.
2. Fix Your Broken Backlinks
If third-party websites are pointing toward pages on your site that no longer exist—triggering the dreaded 404 error—you are essentially leaking SEO juice. Understanding how to get backlinks isn’t just about fresh acquisition; it’s about ensuring the digital “pipes” already connected to your site are actually delivering value. When you ignore these broken connections, you lose the link equity you worked so hard to earn.
The Step-by-Step Recovery Process
Reclaiming these lost opportunities is one of the most effective ways to master how to get backlinks without having to create entirely new content from scratch. Follow these steps to plug the leaks:
Audit for Errors: Use tools like Google Search Console or specialized backlink checkers to generate a report of broken inbound links.
Identify the Dead Ends: pinpoint exactly which “not found” pages were previously receiving traffic or authority.
Implement Redirects: Either restore the deleted content or, more commonly, set up a 301 redirect to a highly relevant live page on your site.
Request an Update: While a redirect works, the gold standard for how to get backlinks that last is to have the linking site update the URL directly.
The “Win-Win” Outreach Strategy
When reaching out to a webmaster, remember that you are helping them fix their own site’s user experience. Broken links are a negative signal for their SEO too. This perspective is vital when learning how to get backlinks through relationship building. Use this concise template:
Subject: Quick fix for a broken link on your page
Hi [Name],
I was browsing your excellent article at [URL] and noticed it links to a resource on our site that has since moved or changed.
To ensure your readers don’t hit a “404 Not Found” page, would you be open to updating that link to [New URL]? It’s the most current version of that information.
Thanks so much!
By cleaning up these errors, you recover lost power and solidify your reputation as a proactive, high-quality resource. It remains a foundational tactic for anyone serious about how to get backlinks in 2026.
3. Steal Competitors’ Broken Backlinks
If you want to take a more aggressive and highly effective approach to growth, look no further than your competition. This strategy is an evolution of standard link reclamation; instead of focusing on your own site, you actively hunt for broken links on rival domains. By identifying “dead” content that other sites are still linking to, you can position your own high-quality resources as the perfect solution. This is a masterclass in how to get backlinks by solving someone else’s problem.
Webmasters are protective of their site’s health. A broken link creates a poor user experience and sends negative signals to search engines. When you approach a site owner with a working, relevant alternative—specifically your content—you are performing a valuable service. This “replacement” logic is one of the most consistent ways to understand how to get backlinks from authoritative sources that usually ignore cold outreach.
How to Execute the Competitor “Heist”
To successfully implement this tactic and learn how to get backlinks from your rivals’ lost opportunities, follow this workflow:
Analyze the Competition: Use an SEO tool to run a backlink audit on your top three to five competitors.
Filter for 404s: Specifically look for outbound links pointing to dead pages on those competitor sites.
Identify the Linkers: Find the external websites that are currently sending traffic to those non-existent pages.
Assess Your Content: Check if you already have a live page that serves as a suitable replacement. If not, create a piece of content that is objectively better than what the competitor originally had.
The Replacement Pitch
The secret to how to get backlinks through this method is being helpful, not salesy. You are pointing out a flaw in their site and offering a “plug-and-play” fix.
Subject: Helpful heads-up: Broken link in your [Article Title]
Hi [Name],
I was just reading through your piece on [Topic] and noticed that the link you have for [Anchor Text] currently leads to a 404 error.
Since that resource seems to be offline, I wanted to let you know we recently published an updated guide on [Your Article Title] that covers the same ground. It might be a great replacement to keep your readers from hitting a dead end!
You can check it out here: [URL]
Best, [Your Name]
By mastering how to get backlinks this way, you turn your competitors’ technical failures into your SEO victories. It is a win for the webmaster, a win for their readers, and a major win for your rankings.
4. Write Guest Posts for Authority Sites
Guest blogging remains a cornerstone of digital PR, serving as a premier method for how to get backlinks in 2026. While the “spray and pray” approach of the past is dead, high-quality guest posting on respected niche publications is more valuable than ever. By providing a fresh, original perspective to an established site, you establish a footprint that both humans and algorithms trust.
When you contribute an insightful article, you gain far more than just a URL. A strategic guest post provides a contextual link within the body of the content, a permanent reference in your author bio, and massive exposure to a pre-built audience. Furthermore, seeing your name on a top-tier site helps AI engines verify your expertise. If you want to know how to get backlinks that build long-term brand authority, this is the gold standard.
Finding High-Value Opportunities
To discover where to pitch, use targeted search strings to find sites actively seeking contributors:
[Your Industry] + “write for us”
[Your Industry] + “guest post guidelines”
[Your Industry] + “contribute an article”
The Perfect Pitch
Editors at authority sites receive hundreds of emails. To master how to get backlinks via guesting, your pitch must be concise and personalized:
Subject: Guest Post Idea: [Specific Topic]
Hi [Editor Name],
I’m [Your Name], a [Your Role] specializing in [Your Niche]. I’ve been following [Publication] for a while and would love to contribute an original article. Here are two angles I believe would resonate with your readers:
Angle 1: [Brief, punchy description]
Angle 2: [Brief, punchy description]
I’ve previously been featured on [Link to Portfolio]. Would either of these topics be a good fit for your editorial calendar
Focus on delivering genuine value in your guest posts. Articles that educate, solve problems, or share original insights attract more links and shares over time.
You can also use our Keyword Idea Generator to research the best topics to pitch — topics that already have search demand but aren’t oversaturated.
5. Get Listed on Resource Pages
Resource pages are curated lists of helpful tools, guides, and websites on a specific topic. They’re typically maintained by educational institutions, industry blogs, or community hubs — and they’re goldmines for backlinks.
Because resource pages are built to last and updated carefully, a placement on one signals serious authority to both search engines and AI tools.
How to find resource pages:
Use these Google search operators:
[your topic] + "resources"[your topic] + "recommended tools"[your topic] + intitle:resources[your topic] + inurl:links
Pitch template:
Subject: Resource suggestion for [Page Title]
Hi [Name],
I found your resource page on [topic] and noticed you’ve curated some really helpful content. I recently published [Your Content Title], which covers [specific value]. It might be a useful addition to your list!
Link: [URL]
Either way, thanks for maintaining such a helpful page.
Prioritize pages that are updated regularly, have real editorial standards, and are genuinely relevant to your topic. A link from a high-authority resource page can drive both referral traffic and SEO value for years.
6. Respond to Media Requests (HARO-Style Outreach)
Journalists and bloggers regularly need expert quotes and insights for their articles. When you provide a useful, timely response, you earn editorial backlinks from high-authority publications — sometimes from sites with massive domain authority.
Where to find media requests:
- HARO (Help a Reporter Out) — helpareporter.com
- Qwoted — A platform connecting journalists with expert sources
- Featured.com — For expert quote opportunities
#journorequestson X (Twitter)
Tips for getting featured:
- Respond within 2–4 hours (speed matters a lot)
- Answer the exact question asked — don’t pitch your services
- Be specific and share data or personal experience
- Include your credentials in 1–2 sentences
- Always include the exact URL you want linked
Even unlinked mentions in major publications help. When your brand name appears in authoritative content, AI systems like ChatGPT and Perplexity start associating you with that topic — which influences AI-generated answers.
According to Moz, links from authoritative editorial sources remain among the strongest trust signals in modern SEO.
7. Appear as a Podcast Guest
Podcast guest appearances are an underrated way to get backlinks — and they come with bonus benefits like brand awareness and audience building.
Most podcasts publish show notes on their website with a guest bio section. That bio almost always includes a link back to your site. Plus, if the podcast publishes transcripts or a YouTube version, your mention becomes crawlable text that both Google and AI tools can read and cite.
How to find the right podcasts:
- Search
[your industry] podcaston Google, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts - Look for shows your competitors have appeared on
- Use directories like Podchaser or Listen Notes
- Prioritize shows that publish show notes AND transcripts
Podcast pitch template:
Subject: Guest Idea: [Specific Topic] for [Podcast Name]
Hi [Host Name],
I’ve been enjoying [Podcast Name] — especially the recent episode on [specific topic]. I’m [Your Title] and I specialize in [your niche]. I’d love to share insights on [2–3 topics] that I think your audience would find valuable.
Would you be open to having me on?
Best, [Your Name]
After your episode goes live, confirm you received a link in the show notes. If not, a polite follow-up usually does the trick.
8. Leverage Business Partnerships and Directories
If you already have business relationships, you’re sitting on untapped backlink opportunities. Partners, vendors, clients, and integration platforms are all potential link sources — and the acceptance rate is much higher than cold outreach because a relationship already exists.
Where to find partnership backlinks:
- Testimonials page on a vendor’s website
- Client success or case study pages
- Partner directories
- Integration marketplace listings (like app stores or plugin directories)
- Sponsor pages for communities or events you support
For directory listings, focus on niche-specific and industry directories rather than generic ones. A listing in a recognized industry directory carries far more weight than a listing on a random directory farm.
Important: Avoid “link swap” agreements (I’ll link to you if you link to me). Google’s spam guidelines explicitly flag large-scale reciprocal linking schemes as a violation that can lead to ranking penalties.
9. Replicate Your Competitors’ Best Backlinks
Why guess where to build links when your competitors have already done the research for you?
By analyzing where your top competitors have earned backlinks, you can find websites that are already open to linking to brands in your space — making outreach much more effective.
How to do it:
- Identify your top 3–5 competitors
- Analyze their backlink profiles using a tool like Ahrefs, Semrush, or Moz
- Look for patterns — what types of content earns them the most links?
- Find pages where multiple competitors are linked but you’re not
- Reach out to those sites with a personalized pitch
Focus your attention on:
- “Best tools” listicles that feature competitors
- Comparison and alternatives pages (e.g., “Best alternatives to [Competitor]”)
- Review sites and roundups
- Newsletters with public archives
- YouTube descriptions that link to competitor resources
You can also use our Word Counter Text Analysis Tool to analyze the content on these pages and understand what topics and keywords they’re covering — so you can pitch content that’s an even better fit.
Outreach template:
Subject: Possible addition to [Article Title]
Hi [Name],
I was reading your article [Article Title] — really valuable piece, especially the section on [specific detail]. I wanted to suggest our resource on [topic] as a possible addition: [URL].
It covers [original angle or unique data] that might add value for your readers.
Thanks for your time!
10. Create Content That Earns Backlinks Naturally
The best long-term strategy for how to get backlinks is to create content so useful and unique that people can’t help but link to it.
This is sometimes called “linkable asset” creation — and it’s how top websites build thousands of backlinks without constant outreach.
The best formats for earning natural backlinks:
| Content Type | Why It Gets Links |
|---|---|
| Original research & surveys | Journalists and bloggers cite statistics |
| Comprehensive guides | Writers reference them to support their own content |
| Free tools & calculators | Creators recommend them as practical resources |
| Industry reports | Businesses cite them in their own content and PR |
| Infographics & visual data | Easy to embed and share |
For example, an original industry survey with surprising statistics can earn hundreds of backlinks as other sites reference your data. According to Backlinko, data-driven content and original research consistently earn 3–5x more backlinks than regular blog posts.
How to promote your linkable asset:
Once you’ve created something worth linking to, don’t wait passively for links to come in. Actively promote it:
- Search for articles already covering your topic
- Send a short email noting that your resource adds useful data or context
- Share it in relevant communities (Reddit, LinkedIn, Slack groups, forums)
- Pitch it as a source to journalists covering related stories
You can also try our Website Worth Calculator to estimate how your domain authority grows as you earn more high-quality backlinks over time — a great way to track your link building progress.
How Long Does It Take to Get Backlinks?
Here’s an honest timeline based on the tactics covered above:
| Tactic | Time to Results |
|---|---|
| Reclaiming unlinked mentions | Days to 1–2 weeks |
| Fixing broken backlinks | Days to 1 week |
| Guest posting | 2–6 weeks |
| Resource page outreach | 1–4 weeks |
| Media/journalist requests | 1–3 weeks |
| Podcast appearances | 2–4 weeks |
| Original research | 3–12 months (ongoing) |
The fastest wins come from reclaiming existing mentions and fixing broken links. Content-driven strategies take longer but deliver compounding results over time.
Common Backlink Mistakes to Avoid
Before you start your link building campaign, make sure you avoid these common mistakes:
- Buying backlinks — It violates Google’s guidelines and can get your site penalized
- Link farms and private blog networks (PBNs) — Low-quality, easily detected by Google
- Irrelevant links — Links from unrelated sites add little value and can raise red flags
- Over-optimized anchor text — Using exact-match keywords in every backlink looks unnatural
- Ignoring nofollow links — Even nofollow links from major publications can drive traffic and AI citations
FAQs About How to Get Backlinks
How can beginners get backlinks?
Beginners should start with low-effort, high-reward tactics like reclaiming unlinked brand mentions and pitching guest posts. Pick one method, test it with 5–10 attempts, learn from the results, and then scale what works.
Is it okay to buy backlinks?
Buying backlinks is against Google’s spam policies. While it’s not illegal, it can result in ranking penalties or even a manual action that removes your site from search results. Always earn backlinks through value creation and genuine outreach.
Are link swaps safe?
Occasional, natural link swaps between genuinely related sites are generally fine. However, building a systematic link exchange program is against Google’s guidelines and can lead to penalties. Focus on earning links through content and outreach instead.
How many backlinks do I need to rank?
There’s no magic number. What matters more than quantity is the quality and relevance of the links. Ten backlinks from highly trusted, relevant sites will outperform 500 links from low-quality sources.
Do social media shares count as backlinks?
No — links from most social media platforms are “nofollow” and don’t directly pass SEO value. However, social shares can drive traffic that leads to natural backlinks from bloggers and journalists who discover your content.
What is the difference between a dofollow and nofollow backlink?
A dofollow link passes SEO value (link equity) from the linking site to yours. A nofollow link includes an attribute that tells search engines not to count it for ranking purposes. Most editorial links are dofollow; links from social media and blog comments are typically nofollow.
Conclusion
Learning how to get backlinks doesn’t have to be complicated. The 10 strategies in this guide — from reclaiming unlinked mentions and fixing broken links, to guest posting, podcast appearances, and creating original research — give you a clear, actionable roadmap for building real authority in 2026.
Start with the quick wins: find your unlinked brand mentions, fix your broken backlinks, and look for resource pages in your niche. Then build toward the longer-term strategies like original research and partnerships that compound over time.
Remember — in 2026, backlinks don’t just help you rank on Google. They shape how AI systems like ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Google AI Overviews understand and recommend your brand. Every quality backlink you earn is an investment in both your search visibility and your AI presence.
Start with one tactic today, be consistent, and watch your authority grow.