How to Get Backlinks (Without Selling Your Soul or Spamming the Internet)

Alright. So, you’ve got the blog. You’ve got the content. Heck, you’ve even got a couple of posts that make you feel like the next Neil Patel on a budget.

Table of Contents

But still… crickets.

No rankings. No traffic. No love from Google.

Why? Because you’re missing the biggest, most annoying, yet absolutely essential piece of SEO success: backlinks.

Yup. Those magical little hyperlinks from other websites that scream, “Hey Google, this blog is legit!”

Let’s be real — getting backlinks is hard. It can feel like begging at times. But don’t worry, this ain’t another recycled SEO fluff piece. This is the raw, real, kind-of-scrappy guide to building backlinks that actually move the needle.

Let’s go.

💥 First… What Even Are Backlinks?

Backlinks = when another website links to your site.

That’s it. Simple. But here’s why they matter:

✅ They tell Google, “Hey, this content is worth referencing.”
✅ They pass authority to your blog (also called “link juice”)
✅ They help your pages rank higher in search results
✅ They increase your referral traffic if clicked
✅ They build your brand credibility (especially if from big sites)

Google literally said backlinks are one of the top 3 ranking factors. So yeah — if you’re not building them, you’re losing.

🧱 The 2 Types of Backlinks (and Why You Need Both)

Let’s get this straight first.

🔹 1. DoFollow Backlinks

These are the good ones. The real deal. They pass authority to your site. Google counts these when calculating your ranking.

Examples:

Blog post mentions
Guest post links
Editorial features
Niche directories (if legit)

🔹 2. NoFollow Backlinks

These don’t pass SEO juice directly, but they’re still useful for traffic, branding, and sometimes even indirect SEO.

Examples:

YouTube video descriptions
Quora answers
Blog comments
Reddit posts

You need both. But let’s not lie — we want those dofollow links most.

🚧 Before You Start: Fix Your Foundation

Don’t go chasing backlinks if your site’s a mess.

Here’s your mini pre-backlink checklist:

✅ Blog is live, fast, and mobile-friendly
✅ You’ve got at least 10+ solid blog posts
✅ Internal linking is in place
✅ Meta titles/descriptions are optimized
✅ No broken links or janky content

If you’re linking people to half-baked content? You’re burning bridges before they even build.

🔥 Strategy #1: Guest Blogging (Yup, It Still Works)

I don’t care what Twitter bros say — guest posting isn’t dead. It’s just abused.

Here’s how to do it the right way:

🪄 Step 1: Find legit sites in your niche

Use Google searches like:

your niche + "write for us"
your niche + "guest post guidelines"
your niche + "submit article"

Example:
fitness blog "write for us"
parenting site "guest contributor"

🪄 Step 2: Pitch something good

Don’t say “Hey can I write for you?”

Instead, say:

“Hey [Name], I’m a blogger in the [niche] space and I noticed your audience loves [topic]. I’d love to contribute a fresh, actionable post like [title idea]. Let me know if that’s a fit!”

Keep it human. Keep it specific. Don’t sound like ChatGPT on Adderall.

🪄 Step 3: Link back (naturally)

In the article or in the author bio — drop 1-2 links back to your own relevant blog posts.

🔥 Strategy #2: Use HARO (Help A Reporter Out)

HARO is free. And powerful. And underused by bloggers.

If you respond and they use your input? BOOM. Backlink from legit media.

Tips:

Respond fast (within 1 hour)
Keep answers short, smart, and punchy
Include your name, blog URL, and social

You won’t win every pitch, but even a few backlinks from places like HuffPost, Forbes, or niche publications? Huge.

🔥 Strategy #3: Create Link-Worthy Content (Actually Worthy)

This is where most people fall flat.

They create a 500-word blog post and wonder why no one links to it.

If you want backlinks, you need to publish stuff people want to reference. That means:

📊 Original data or stats
🧠 Ultimate guides or step-by-steps
📋 Huge lists or resources (like “57 blog niches that still make money”)
🎯 Controversial takes or thought leadership pieces

Pro tip: Tools like Surfer SEO, Clearscope, or Ahrefs content explorer can help you brainstorm linkable ideas.

🔥 Strategy #4: Broken Link Building (AKA Smart Hustle)

This one’s clever.

How it works:

Find a blog in your niche
Use a Chrome extension like Check My Links
Find broken (404) links on their blog posts
Email them and say:

“Hey, I was reading your post on [topic] and noticed a broken link pointing to [old site]. I actually have a post on a similar topic if you’re looking to replace it!”

It’s helpful. It’s polite. It works.

You’re solving a problem and getting a backlink in return.

🔥 Strategy #5: Skyscraper Technique (aka Steal with Style)

Coined by Brian Dean. Still effective.

Here’s how:

Find a popular post with tons of backlinks (use Ahrefs or Ubersuggest)
Create something better — longer, newer, more detailed
Reach out to everyone who linked to the original and say:

“Hey, I saw you linked to [old post]. I just published a fresh take on the same topic, with updated tips and data. Thought it might be a helpful replacement.”

Does everyone switch? Nah. But some will. And they’ve already proven they link.

That’s the hack.

🔥 Strategy #6: Resource Page Backlinks

There are tons of “Best [Topic] Blogs” or “Top Tools for [Niche]” pages out there.

You just need to get on them.

Google search like this:

intitle:resources + your keyword
inurl:links + your niche
"best blogs for moms" + site:.edu (yes, .edu links too!)

Then pitch yourself:

“Hey, I came across your awesome list of [topic] blogs. Just wanted to share my site [yourblog.com] which covers [relevant value]. Might be worth including!”

Low pressure. High payoff.

🔥 Strategy #7: Link Exchanges — Careful But Real

Okay, controversial take here…

Link swaps work. But only when:

It’s 1:1 and not spammy
You’re both in similar niches
It’s contextual, not forced

Bad version:

“Hi, let’s exchange backlinks in bulk. Here’s my Fiverr profile.”

Good version:

“Hey, I just linked to your awesome post on [X] in my latest guide. Happy to share if you ever have something I can reference as well!”

Make it casual. Make it real.

🔥 Strategy #8: Podcasts, Interviews, and Roundups

Guest appearances = backlinks + branding.

Pitch yourself to:

Podcasts in your niche
Expert roundup posts (“13 Bloggers Share Their SEO Tips”)
Live Twitter/X Spaces or YouTube interviews

You’ll usually get a backlink in the show notes or author list.

Plus, it’s a great way to network.

💀 What NOT to Do (Seriously, Don’t Be That Blogger)

❌ Don’t buy backlinks from shady sites
❌ Don’t spam blog comments with your link
❌ Don’t use automated link-building bots
❌ Don’t send 100 cold emails with the same pitch
❌ Don’t exchange links in public Slack groups like a madman

Google’s not dumb. You’ll get hit with penalties or lose all your SEO gains overnight.

🧠 How Many Backlinks Do You Really Need?

Here’s the truth:

It depends.

Low comp niche? You might rank with just 5-10 quality backlinks.
Competitive niche? You’ll need 50+, maybe hundreds over time.

Use tools like Ahrefs or Ubersuggest to:

Check how many backlinks the top-ranking posts have
Set realistic goals
Track your own backlink growth over time

It’s not just quantity — it’s quality and relevance.

🧾 Final Checklist: Your Backlink-Building Action Plan

✅ Fix your site and internal links first
✅ Publish 10+ link-worthy blog posts
✅ Set up HARO and respond daily
✅ Pitch guest posts weekly
✅ Use tools to find broken or outdated content
✅ Reach out without being a spam bot
✅ Track your new backlinks (with Ahrefs, Semrush, or even manually)
✅ Stay consistent (backlinks build slowly but compound over time)

🎤 Final Thoughts — Backlinks Are a Long Game (But Worth It)

Let’s not sugarcoat it.

Building backlinks is hard.

It’s rejection. It’s research. It’s writing emails no one replies to.

But here’s the thing: it works.

The bloggers who win long-term?

They build backlinks consistently.
They create stuff worth linking to.
They hustle without becoming spammy robots.

Start small. Aim for 2–3 new backlinks a month. That’s 30+ a year. Now imagine that compounding over 3 years.

You won’t just be ranking.

You’ll be unstoppable.

How to Get Backlinks