How to Get Backlinks: 20 Proven Strategies for 2026

I've been building backlinks for over 8 years. In that time, I've watched countless "proven" tactics become obsolete, seen Google penalize entire link networks overnight, and witnessed the rise of AI-powered search.

But here's what hasn't changed: backlinks still matter. A lot.

According to recent data, 58.1% of SEO professionals recognize that backlinks have a significant impact on search rankings. The #1 result on Google gets 27.6% of all clicks, and those top-ranking pages have 3.8x more backlinks than pages in positions 2-10.

The difference in 2026? It's not just about PageRank anymore. It's about presence.

What's Changed in Link Building for 2026

Let me be direct: the old playbook is dead.

Google and LLMs are now looking at who mentions you, where, and in what context. Getting cited alongside trusted brands in relevant content carries more weight than obsessing over anchor text ratios.

The real goal isn't just to earn links—it's to become part of the conversation.

What Makes a Backlink High-Quality in 2026?

Before diving into strategies, let's establish what actually makes a backlink valuable:

Now, let's get into the 20 strategies that actually work.

Part 1: Content-Based Link Building

1. Create Original Research & Industry Data

Why it works: Original data is citation gold. When you publish unique statistics, other content creators reference your findings—and link back to you.

According to Backlinko, content with original research earns 3.5x more backlinks than standard articles.

How to do it:

1. Survey your audience or customers
2. Analyze your own product data
3. Compile industry statistics into a comprehensive report
4. Present findings with shareable charts and infographics

2. Build Interactive Tools & Calculators

Why it works: Free tools solve problems. When people find value, they share and link to them naturally.

Examples that work:

• ROI calculators
• Cost estimators
• Audit tools
• Generators (title, meta description, etc.)

The key is building something genuinely useful that people will bookmark and recommend.

3. Publish Long-Form, Comprehensive Guides

Why it works: Articles over 3,000 words earn 3.5x more backlinks than shorter content. Comprehensive guides become reference material.

The formula:

1. Pick a topic with search demand
2. Cover it more thoroughly than anyone else
3. Include original insights, data, and examples
4. Update it regularly to maintain freshness

4. Create Visual Content That Gets Embedded

Why it works: Infographics, charts, and diagrams get shared and embedded across the web—each embed is a potential backlink.

5. Name Your Strategies (The Branded Technique Method)

Why it works: Named strategies get cited. They're memorable, searchable, and easy to reference.

Think about it:

• "The Skyscraper Technique" (Brian Dean)
• "The Moving Man Method" (Backlinko)
• "The Briefcase Technique" (Ramit Sethi)

These names make tactics stick. People search for them by name, and LLMs are more likely to surface named methods in answers.

How to do it:

1. Develop a unique approach to solving a problem
2. Give it a catchy, memorable name
3. Document it thoroughly
4. Promote it consistently

Part 2: Outreach-Based Link Building

6. Broken Link Building

Why it works: You're helping webmasters fix their sites while earning a link. It's a win-win.

The process:

1. Find resource pages in your niche
2. Use a tool like Ahrefs or Check My Links to find broken links
3. Create content that could replace the dead resource
4. Reach out to the site owner with your replacement

7. Reclaim Unlinked Brand Mentions

Why it works: People are already talking about you—they just forgot to link. This is low-hanging fruit.

How to find them:

intext:"Your Brand" -yoursite.com -twitter.com -facebook.com -linkedin.com

Use tools like Google Alerts, Mention, or Semrush's Brand Monitoring to automate this process.

Success rate: This typically converts at 15-25% because the person already knows and trusts your brand.

8. The Moving Man Method (Outdated Resource Link Building)

Why it works: Companies rebrand, shut down, or pivot. Their old links become opportunities.

The process:

1. Find companies that have rebranded, moved, or shut down
2. Identify sites still linking to their old resources
3. Create updated content on the same topic
4. Reach out to those sites with your fresh alternative

This method has earned links from .edu sites, major publications, and high-authority industry blogs.

9. Guest Posting (Done Right)

Why it works: Guest posting isn't dead—but the spray-and-pray approach is.

The 2026 approach:

• Target sites where your audience actually reads
• Contribute genuinely valuable content
• Focus on brand placement, not just links
• Build relationships, not just backlinks

10. Become a Source for Journalists (HARO/Connectively)

Why it works: Journalists need expert quotes. You provide expertise, they provide high-authority links.

Platforms to use:

• Connectively (formerly HARO)
• Qwoted
• SourceBottle
• Help a B2B Writer

Success tips:

• Respond quickly (within 2-3 hours)
• Provide specific, quotable insights
• Include credentials that establish authority
• Follow up professionally

Part 3: Relationship-Based Link Building

11. The Listicle Link Exchange Strategy

This strategy comes from real-world testing by small businesses, and it works remarkably well.

The process:

1. Create listicles like "Top 10 Tools for [Your Niche]"
2. Feature relevant companies (without links initially)
3. Reach out to let them know they're featured
4. Offer to add their link in exchange for a backlink to your site

Conversion rate: ~12% (1 backlink per 10 outreach emails)

The key is leading with value—you've already featured them for free.

12. Podcast Guesting

Why it works: Most podcasts include show notes with links to guests' websites. Plus, you build authority and reach new audiences.

How to get booked:

1. Identify podcasts in your niche
2. Listen to a few episodes to understand the format
3. Pitch a specific topic you can speak on
4. Provide value during the interview

13. Collaborate with Influencers & Industry Experts

Why it works: Co-created content gets promoted by both parties, doubling your reach and link potential.

Collaboration ideas:

• Co-authored research reports
• Expert interviews
• Joint webinars
• Collaborative tools or resources

14. Engage in Communities & Niche Forums

Why it works: Active participation builds relationships and establishes authority. Links come naturally when you're a trusted community member.

Best platforms:

• Reddit (relevant subreddits)
• Quora (answer questions in your expertise)
• Industry-specific forums
• Slack/Discord communities

15. Launch an Affiliate Program

Why it works: Affiliates create content about you—reviews, comparisons, tutorials. Each piece is a potential backlink.

In 2026, affiliate programs aren't just for sales. They're a strategic lever for building relevance across the web. Affiliates seed LLM training data, increase brand association, and shape how search engines contextualize your product.

Part 4: Technical & Creative Strategies

16. The Skyscraper Technique 2.0

The original: Find popular content, create something better, reach out to people linking to the original.

The 2026 upgrade:

1. Find content that ranks but is outdated or incomplete
2. Create a significantly better version with fresh data
3. Add unique elements (tools, templates, original research)
4. Reach out with a specific value proposition

17. Create Evergreen Resource Pages

Why it works: Comprehensive resource pages become go-to references that attract links over time.

Examples:

• Ultimate guides
• Glossaries and definitions
• Tool directories
• Template libraries

The key is making something so useful that people naturally want to reference it.

18. Digital PR Campaigns

Why it works: Digital PR is now the most popular link building method, used by 67.3% of marketers.

Approaches:

• Newsworthy original research
• Expert commentary on trending topics
• Local/geo-targeted stories
• Industry awards and recognition

19. Partner with SaaS Tools & Integrations

Why it works: When you integrate with popular tools, you often get listed on their integrations page—a valuable, contextual backlink.

How to approach it:

1. Identify complementary tools in your space
2. Build genuine integrations that add value
3. Reach out about partnership opportunities
4. Get listed in their ecosystem/marketplace

20. Update & Relaunch Old Content

Why it works: Refreshed content can earn new links from sites that linked to the original—plus attract new linkers.

The process:

1. Identify your best-performing old content
2. Update with fresh data, examples, and insights
3. Reach out to existing linkers about the update
4. Promote the refreshed version

Your 30-Day Backlink Action Plan

Expected result: 6-15 quality backlinks in your first month, with a foundation for ongoing link acquisition.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

The Bottom Line

Getting backlinks in 2026 isn't about gaming the system—it's about earning your place in the conversation.

The strategies that work share common traits:

• They provide genuine value
• They build real relationships
• They focus on relevance over raw metrics
• They think beyond just SEO

Start with 2-3 strategies that fit your resources and expertise. Master those before expanding. And remember: 94% of content gets zero backlinks. The fact that you're reading this puts you ahead of most.

FAQs

How many backlinks do I need to rank?

There's no magic number. The top-ranking page typically has 3.8x more backlinks than positions 2-10, but quality matters more than quantity. Focus on earning relevant, authoritative links rather than hitting a specific count.

How long does it take for backlinks to work?

On average, 3.1 months. According to Authority Hacker's survey, 46.6% of link builders see impact within 1-3 months, while 35.2% see results in 3-6 months.

Are nofollow links worth pursuing?

Yes. While they don't pass direct SEO authority, nofollow links drive referral traffic, build brand awareness, and contribute to a natural link profile. About 54% of marketers consider them valuable.

What's the average cost of a backlink?

The average cost of a paid link placement is $83, but high-quality contextual links can range from $700 to $2,000+. That said, the best links are earned, not bought.

Is link building still important in 2026?

Absolutely. 58.1% of SEO professionals recognize backlinks as a significant ranking factor, and 73.2% believe they influence AI search results like ChatGPT. Links remain a core signal of trust and authority.