The Backlink Basics (You Can’t Skip This Part)
Look, if you’ve made it this far into the SEO rabbit hole, congrats—you’re officially uninvited from normal dinner parties. But here’s what you need to know:
Backlinks are the digital version of someone saying “Hey, this person knows what they’re talking about.” Except instead of compliments, it’s hyperlinks. From other websites. Pointing to yours. It’s what Google’s ranking algorithm was basically built on: popularity = trust.
And yes, it’s a bit of a high school popularity contest. But instead of prom queens and football captains, we’re dealing with blog authors, niche resource pages, and sites that still look like they were built in 2009. You play the game, you get the rankings.
Step 1: Create Something That Doesn’t Suck
This is non-negotiable. Before you go around asking for backlinks, stop and ask yourself: Would I link to this?
If your content is boring, derivative, or sounds like ChatGPT coughed it out in 4 seconds (awkward…), nobody’s linking to it. Period.
You don’t need a PhD in virality. Just solve a real problem. Be useful. Be weird. Be loud. Be something.
Whether it’s a deep-dive blog post, a hilarious rant-turned-guide, a free tool, or a spicy opinion with data receipts—give people a reason to reference you. Otherwise, you’re just out here begging people to recommend your digital beige.
Step 2: Guest Posting Without the “Dear Sir or Madam” Vibes
Guest posting works. Not because you’re writing some Pulitzer-level essay, but because you’re showing up in someone else’s house and leaving behind a backlink like a polite little gremlin.
But please don’t send emails that sound like they were written by a LinkedIn chatbot. Nobody’s publishing “10 Tips for Digital Marketing” from a stranger with a Gmail address and no soul.
Pitch like a human. Write something that fits their tone, solves something for their audience, and includes one tasteful, non-desperate link back to your site.
And no, “I wrote this on my blog and just pasted it here” isn’t a guest post. That’s content littering. We don’t do that here.
Step 3: Broken Link Building (The Digital Equivalent of Dumpster Diving—But Classy)
This one’s clever. Other people’s dead links become your SEO glow-up.
Here’s the play: find a blog in your niche, scan it for broken links (use tools like Check My Links), and when you find one that fits your content, swoop in like a helpful little SEO raccoon.
“Hey! Noticed this link was broken. I actually have a piece that covers the same topic—might be worth swapping in?”
You’re not spamming. You’re doing UX favors. You’re saving the internet from 404s. And if you get a backlink out of it? Justice.
Step 4: Get Listed Like You Belong There (Because You Do)
Resource pages are one of the most underused goldmines for beginners. They’re literally lists of helpful content and tools—like a curated bookshelf of the internet.
Find them by Googling your topic with terms like “resources,” “helpful links,” or “tools.” If you’ve made something genuinely good (again—step 1, people), they might just add you.
Pro tip: act like a fan. Don’t just ask for a link—show you read the page, explain why your content belongs there, and make their job stupidly easy.
“Hey! Loved your list of beginner SEO tools. I just launched one that helps people write headings that don’t suck. Might be a good fit?”
You’d be surprised how many say yes when you’re not weird about it.
Step 5: Testimonials—But With a Link, Please
This one’s basically SEO karma.
If you use a tool, platform, or course and genuinely like it, leave a testimonial. Many sites post them on their homepage or testimonial page—and often include a backlink. It’s win-win: they get a quote, you get visibility and a link. And it doesn’t feel gross because you’re recommending something you actually used.
Yes, this still works. No, it’s not sleazy if it’s real.
Bonus Moves for Backlink Gremlins-in-Training
Still hungry? Try these:
- Unlinked Mentions: Use tools like Google Alerts to find people talking about your brand without linking to it. Then just ask. Politely. With minimal shame.
- Local Directories: If you’re local, get listed. Yelp, Google Business, niche directories—yes, they count. Google sees them. You want to be there.
- Blog Comments (But Like a Decent Person): Comment on blogs in your space. Not to drop a link—but to make a connection. Sometimes those turn into backlinks. Sometimes they turn into clients. Sometimes nothing. It’s still worth it.
Final Rant: Backlinks Are a Long Game—Not a Hack
Here’s the hard truth most beginner guides won’t tell you:
You’re not going to get 100 backlinks overnight. You’re not going to outrank HubSpot tomorrow. And no, you don’t need to.
What you need is this:
- A few solid backlinks to pages that deserve them
- Consistency over desperation
- Strategies that age well (guest posts, helpful content, actual relationships)
- And a little bit of unhinged charm
You’ve got this.
And if not? That’s what I’m here for.