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How-to guide · 5 steps

How to Build Backlinks in 2026 (Strategies That Still Work)

Link building in 2026 is harder than it was five years ago but more rewarding if you do it right. Google's algorithms have gotten better at detecting manufactured links, which means genuine, relevant links from real sites matter more than ever. Here are the strategies covered in this guide, with a suggested tool for each one.

  • More control Control over the outcome, Less effort Effort per link: Unlinked mentionsSomeone already named you; ask for the link.
  • More control Control over the outcome, More effort Effort per link: Guest postsYou write the page, the host decides whether to publish.
  • Less control Control over the outcome, Less effort Effort per link: Link intersect outreachSites linking to several rivals; a reasoned pitch.
  • Less control Control over the outcome, More effort Effort per link: Linkable assetsData, tools or calculators that earn links over time.

  1. Step 1: Find unlinked brand mentions

    Search for your brand name across the web. When someone mentions you without linking, that's one of the easiest backlinks to earn, because they already know you exist. A polite email asking them to add a link is a much warmer request than cold outreach.

    Tool for this stepAhrefs

    from £23/mo

    Ahrefs' Content Explorer lets you search its index of pages for brand mentions. Narrow the results to pages that don't already link to you and you have a list of warm outreach prospects.

    Ahrefs plans and catches

    Alternative to consider: Semrush (from $139/mo)

  2. Step 2: Build linkable assets (data, tools, calculators)

    Publish something genuinely useful that people in your niche want to reference — original research, a free calculator, a comprehensive guide with real data. These attract links passively and give you a strong pitch for outreach.

    Tool for this stepSemrush

    from $139/mo

    Semrush's Backlink Analytics shows you which pages on competitor sites earn the most links — revealing what formats work in your niche. Build something similar, but more comprehensive.

    Semrush plans and catches

    Alternative to consider: Ubersuggest (price not verified)

  3. Step 3: Use link intersect to find qualified prospects

    Run a Link Intersect analysis between your site and 3-4 competitors. Sites that link to your competitors but not you are pre-qualified — they're already linking in your niche. Prioritise these over cold prospects.

    Tool for this stepAhrefs

    from £23/mo

    Ahrefs' Link Intersect is built for this: it lists sites linking to your competitors but not to you. Filtering by a minimum DR helps you focus on stronger prospects.

    Ahrefs plans and catches

    Alternative to consider: Moz Pro (from $99/mo)

  4. Step 4: Do guest posting on relevant, mid-authority sites

    Guest posting still works if you're selective. Target DR 30-60 sites that are genuinely relevant to your niche. Write original, useful content — not the recycled fluff that gets rejected. One good guest post a month compounds over time.

    Tool for this stepAhrefs

    from £23/mo

    Use Ahrefs to vet any site before pitching — check their organic traffic trend (avoid declining sites), link profile, and whether they publish regularly. Sites with growing traffic are the best targets.

    Ahrefs plans and catches

    Alternative to consider: Serpstat (from $69/mo)

  5. Step 5: Track new and lost links to monitor progress

    Check your backlink profile weekly. New links tell you what's working; lost links need immediate investigation — if a high-value link disappears, email the webmaster. Build a simple spreadsheet log of all outreach and results.

    Tool for this stepAhrefs

    from £23/mo

    Ahrefs sends automated alerts when you gain or lose backlinks. Morningscore's gamified link tracking makes it easy to see your link building momentum over time — useful for staying motivated.

    Ahrefs plans and catches

    Alternative to consider: Morningscore (from $69/mo)