In this guide, you’ll learn:
Link building is essential for any website looking to climb up the ranks in search results. But not all backlinks are created equal.
Natural backlinks, also known as organic links, earned through creative content marketing and networking with other websites can be incredibly valuable for your SEO success over time.
So many sites can benefit from generating backlinks, whether they learn how to do it themselves or partner with a top link-building agency.
Ready to learn more about natural backlinks? Let’s get started!
An overview
What is natural link-building?
Why are natural links going to be one of the most effective link types in 2023?
Ways to build natural backlinks in 2023
FAQ
How do I get natural links?
How does natural link-building work?
How long does it take to build natural backlinks?
Can I build natural backlinks myself or should I hire an agency?
What is natural link-building?
Natural link-building is the process of earning backlinks from other websites to your own.
In simpler terms, it’s a way to build relationships with other sites and get them to link back to yours.
But why is natural link-building important?
Backlinks are important for search engine optimization (SEO).
They help search engines like Google Search understand which sites are authoritative and relevant.
As well, this helps sites rank higher in SERPs (search engine result pages).
Building natural backlinks takes time, but the patience and effort are certainly worth it.
With the right approach, high-quality backlinks can help you get more organic traffic and increase your domain authority.
Natural and unnatural backlinks are different in the sense that unnatural backlinks are typically gained through link schemes such as buying or exchanging backlinks.
They’re often frowned upon by Google Search and can result in penalties.
There’s also such a thing as a semi-natural link, which is when a website owner manually adds a link to their own content on another site.
This type of link should be avoided, as search platforms may view it as suspicious and manipulative behavior.
Why are natural links going to be one of the most effective link types in 2023?
Natural links will remain one of the most effective link types in the SEO world.
They provide search engines with a reliable source to track and rank websites.
These links are generated through creative content marketing, outreach, and authentic networking with other websites.
Natural links are the “real deal” when it comes to establishing a website as an authoritative source.
Some reasons why it’ll be one of the most effective link types include:
- Natural links build trust with search engine users
- They help increase website visibility and traffic, boosting SEO rankings.
- Organic links provide a reliable source for tracking and ranking websites by search engine algorithms.
- Natural backlink-building builds relationships between websites as well as establishes credibility in the industry.
SEO Manager at BestSEO4u, Robert Trif, deems natural link-building a “tried-and-true way to boost your website’s ranking” as it builds “authority and credibility with search engine algorithms.”
As well, the marketing manager at Joloda Hydraroll, Gary Warner, mentions:
“Google is only going to keep increasing their spam updates when it comes to building unnatural links, so the sooner you get better at placing ‘natural’ links to your website, the better.”
Ways to build natural backlinks in 2023
There are a number of natural backlink-building strategies that can help you improve your website’s visibility in search engine results.
All the techniques mentioned below are proven to be effective in boosting organic traffic and improving rankings.
#1. Create awesome content
Everyone knows that you can attract your target audience through quality content.
Similarly, you can also foster natural link-building by creating content other web pages will want to link to.
Producing link-worthy content doesn’t just mean writing a blog post.
It also means creating videos, podcasts, infographics, and other types of multimedia content.
Whatever it is you create—the goal should be to provide value to your target audience while leveraging the opportunity for other site owners to link back to you.
What’s considered the best content to build backlinks naturally?
Video content and infographics!
86% of video marketers say video content helped increase traffic to their websites in 2021.
And when it comes to infographics, it’s a no-brainer – 50% of the human brain is used for processing visual information.
Jitesh Gupta, Founder of We Cards, combines research on Statista with Canva’s graphic capabilities to make dynamic infographics for him and his clients.
#2. Use social media networks
Social media platforms are synonymous with digital marketing.
And they’re also great for natural link-building.
Networks like Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram offer the perfect opportunity to share content, such as your own blog.
Other users may see them as a relevant resource of high domain authority.
With more than 4.26 billion active social media users worldwide, creating an effective social media strategy is key to building those coveted organic links.
This includes engaging with potential customers on these channels by responding to comments and encouraging them to share your content.
#3. Guest posting and blogging
Guest blogging and guest posting on other websites are great tactics for building quality links.
Robert Hoffmann, marketing manager at CashbackHero, has guest posting as his top choice for natural backlinking.
He says:
“Through guest posting, you can create high-quality content on other websites and get valuable links in exchange. This will help drive traffic to your website while also improving your presence online and boosting SEO performance.”
By publishing guest posts on authoritative websites, you can create a network of connections with other bloggers.
They may be willing to link back to your website, profile page, or blog post when appropriate.
#4. Blog commenting
Another great way to build organic backlinks is by actively participating in blog commenting.
Sometimes, owners link to their own blogs and write nothing else – which can come across as spammy.
Ameet Mehta, Founder of SyndicationPro, recommends leaving insightful comments on articles related to your niche rather than just a link back to your own website or content.
When done correctly, blog comments can be incredibly beneficial for both you and the other webmasters.
It helps them increase traffic to their site but it also gives you an opportunity to build relationships and build backlinks.
#5. Participate in communities and forums
You can also get natural backlinks by participating in social media communities and forums like Reddit, Quora.
Answer questions, share your expertise, provide comments, and join conversations relating to topics related to your industry.
Include a link pointing to your website when it’s appropriate and helpful (not spammy).
This can help you build relationships with other members of the community—while building links in the process!
Barbara Sawala, a member of the developer marketing team at Uploadcare.com, says her #1 way of building quality backlinks is Facebook networking.
She hops on Facebook groups like the Link Building Collab & Exchange Community and receives 10+ high-quality partnership proposals monthly.
Leszek Dudkiewicz, head of marketing at Passport Photo Online, also recommends email apps for link-building opportunities.
“MixMax and other email apps will be invaluable (…) By spreading the word about the content you produce, you throw a metaphorical, wide net onto the river that is the internet.”
FAQ
Serious about adding natural backlinks to your digital marketing strategy?
Here are some frequently asked questions to help you get started.
How do I get natural links?
Here is a summary of the tactics discussed for natural link-building.
| Tactic | Description |
| Create high-quality content | Produce content that is interesting, valuable, and relevant to your target audience. |
| Use social media networking | Leverage your current network on social channels and reach out to influencers, industry experts, and other authoritative sources in the niche. |
| Guest posting and blogging | Reach out to other websites and blogs in your industry that accept guest posts or have commenting capabilities. |
| Blog commenting | Post blog comments on other authoritative blogs to generate backlinks. |
| Check out communities and forums | Join forums, communities, and other online groups in your niche to promote your content and find link building partners. |
How does natural link-building work?
Natural link-building typically involves creating valuable content, engaging in outreach activities, and networking with other websites in an authentic way.
By doing this, you can encourage other sites to link back to your pages as a resource or reference.
Natural link-building is about providing value through content rather than buying or exchanging links.
Those are known as unnatural links.
How long does it take to build natural backlinks?
The time it takes to build organic backlinks depends on various factors, such as the amount of content you’re creating and your outreach strategy.
Generally speaking, expect anywhere from a few months to several years before you start seeing results.
If successful, you can look forward to a steady stream of organic search traffic and better search engine rankings over time.
Can I build natural backlinks myself or should I hire an agency?
Whether you choose to build links naturally yourself or enlist the help of a link building agency is ultimately up to you.
If you’re confident in your ability to create engaging content and reach out to other websites, then do-it-yourself may be the best option for you.
However, if time is limited or if this isn’t your area of expertise, hiring a link-building services agency can save time and guarantee results much faster.
A good link-building company will be able to offer services such as:
- Help you create a comprehensive link-building strategy with more natural backlinks.
- Improve your search rankings with target keywords.
- Create an effective backlink profile with 100% natural HARO links.
Summary
Natural backlinks are one of the most powerful tools in SEO.
It helps Google Search understand which sites are authoritative and relevant, ultimately helping them rank higher in SERPs.
Although it may take time to build natural backlinks, the long-term benefits are well worth it.
In 2023, there are numerous ways to build more backlinks.
These include creating excellent content, leveraging influencers, guest blogging, and participating in link roundups.
With consistent effort, you can build a healthy natural backlink portfolio that will help your SEO efforts in the long run.
TL;DR
- Natural backlinks, earned through creative content marketing and networking with other websites, are valuable for SEO success.
- Link building is essential for any website looking to climb up the ranks in search engine results.
- Natural link-building helps search engines like Google understand which sites are authoritative and relevant. It can help boost natural traffic and domain authority.
- In 2023, there are numerous ways to build natural backlinks, such as creating relevant content, using social media, guest posting, blogging, and participating in communities and forums.
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