Getting backlinks is one thing. Getting the right ones is another. Niche-relevant backlinks — links from sites in your industry — can skyrocket your rankings because they tell search engines you’re a trusted expert.
Search engines are smarter now and consider the relevance and context instead of just the number of hyperlinks. That’s why knowing how to build relevant backlinks is so critical. Some links can even hurt your rankings, while others can significantly boost your visibility. In this article, we’ll explore the strategies to make niche-related backlinks that actually move the needle. You’ll find out what current tactics are working and which mistakes to avoid.
Key takeaways:
- Four main factors matter for niche backlinks: anchor text, topical relevance, link placement, and link freshness.
- Broken link building is a chance to help site owners fix dead links while getting backlinks for your content.
- Over-optimization (like using the same anchor text too much) can negatively impact your rankings because it comes off as unnatural.
- Both do-follow and no-follow links are important. No-follow links can bring valuable traffic even if they don’t directly boost rankings.
- Google’s March 2024 update warns against hosting low-quality third-party content on well-respected sites.
- Before cooperating with other sites, check out their quality standards, expertise, the content they publish, as well as technical performance, to make truly good connections.
What Are Niche Relevant Backlinks?
You’ve got links referring to your website and have built a reach backlink profile. But here’s the thing — do they actually boost your rankings? Not all backlinks are created equal, and search engines recognize this fact. Link building has changed a lot lately. Those days when any link was good enough are over.
Inbound links can be general and niche-relevant. Niche-relevant ones come from sites within your industry. These carry a lot more weight because they’re part of your professional network.
When your link pops up naturally in content about your area of expertise, search engines notice it. They can identify when a link fits in seamlessly or feels like it was forced. Thus, there’s no need for hundreds of random backlinks. Just a few quality, relevant links can boost your rankings way more.
Here are four main factors that make backlinks count in your niche:
- Anchor text: These are actual words people click on to reach your site. When someone links to you using words that fit your content naturally, instead of just saying “click here,” search engines pick up on this relevance. This shows the link has real context.
- Topical relevance: This is about staying in your lane. Sites in your field linking to you send strong signals. Search engines have become incredibly good at detecting these topical connections.
- Link placement: The natural flow of content also matters. Links in relevant articles, surrounded by related discussion, work much better than those included in generic link sections.
- Link freshness: New links from active websites indicate you’re part of the ongoing industry conversation. Fresh connections mean your content plays a role in your field.
Why Are Niche Relevant Backlinks Important?
Link building is a timeless strategy in SEO. Even though search engines frequently update their rules, high-quality backlinks remain essential. However, you still have to obtain the right links, and that’s the beauty of relevant backlinking. Let’s explore why exactly it matters.
Boost Search Engine Rankings
SEO isn’t just about building links — it’s about creating relevant topic clusters. Secure links from top industry sites, and you can become part of their content ecosystem. Each link from sites that are related to yours increases your standing within a specific topic area.
The most challenging (yet the most rewarding) task, though, is to make niche-relevant backlinks that competitors can’t easily replicate. For example, links from original industry research papers and case studies have unique ranking power. Google sees these as reliable references, especially when they come from professional organizations.
Overall, most websites start to notice changes in their rankings within one to three months after they get new links. Around 28% of websites see improvements between three to six months, and 16% see results in the first month.
Enhance Website Authority
Smart link building helps establish your site’s authority within specific niches. Rather than chasing broad authority, you can aim to be the go-to resource in focused segments. For instance, why rank for key phrases, like “digital marketing,” when you can dominate specialized topics using a key phrase, “enterprise SaaS content strategy.”
In addition, links from industry events show real-world expertise you won’t be able to achieve with generic links. When original research refers to your website, these backlinks create a stronghold that shields your rankings.
As a pleasant bonus, these top-tier connections allow you to command premium prices. Clients tend to appreciate expertise recognized by industry leaders. When they find you through reliable sources, their focus is likelier to shift more to value rather than just price.
Drive Targeted Traffic
Quality backlinks can do more than just drive traffic. They can also help filter visitors based on their purchasing journey stage. Here’s the deal: links from comparison sites attract those at the bottom of the funnel. These people have already done their homework and are weighing their final options — they’re almost ready to make a decision. These leads don’t do window shopping but rather look at specific features, price points, and how you stack up against the competition.
How to Build Niche Relevant Backlinks
So, niche-specific backlinks can do both: boost your search rankings and bring in the right kind of traffic. And these are the key reasons to do link building and to do it well. Here is how to build relevant backlinks: identify the right connection opportunities, create content that attracts authoritative links, and build relationships with your industry colleagues that lead to steady growth.
Guest Blogging
Guest blogging can be a total win-win. The site receives great content from you, while you score authoritative backlinks and get noticed by people interested in your industry.
First of all, find the right sites in your niche. A lot of quality sites openly state “write for us,” “contribute,” and provide “guest post guidelines” in their footer or navigation menu. Just search for “[your industry] + write for us,” and you can reveal numerous niche relevant backlink opportunities.
For example, take a look at the Guest Post Submission Guidelines of a website in the SaaS niche:
Before reaching out to any website, however, make sure to check how good it is. You can use tools like Ahrefs or Moz to verify their domain rating (DR) and organic traffic. Aim for sites with a DR of over 50 and consistent growth in organic traffic. And don’t forget to look at their backlink profile since quality websites must have links from respected sources in the industry, too.
Most top industry blogs are pretty open about what they want for guest posts. Here are some examples of their requirements:
- Word count (usually 1,500-2,500 words)
- Formatting guidelines and preferred writing style
- Rules about self-promotion
- Image requirements and copyright rules
- Bio length and author photo specifications
- Citations and source requirements
Some blogs may also ask for links to articles you’ve already written to evaluate your skills and expertise. This can be tricky for companies new to content marketing, but there are ways around it. You can start with medium-authority sites to build a strong portfolio. Furthermore, some understanding editors also accept polished drafts or writing samples from new contributors.
Consider our outreach links service so you don’t get lost in the sea of industry resources (also given some may cause the opposite effect and only harm your rankings). Backlinkers has built relationships with quality industry websites and understands their specific requirements. Our team handles the entire link building process, from finding relevant websites and assessing their metrics to crafting persuasive pitches and publishing content.
Resource Link Building
Every industry has relevant niche sites that gather and share helpful resources with their audience. These resource pages are goldmines for quality backlinks since they actively seek out useful content to feature. Your goal here is to create something so valuable they won’t be able to resist linking to it.
Even if you find good sources to link to your site, you still need to know what to write. For this, identify what questions people keep asking and what issues need better solutions.
The most link-worthy resources come in many forms:
- Comparison guides (“Strype vs. Paypal vs. Square”)
- Step-by-step tutorials (“How to Create High-Converting Landing Pages”)
- Industry reports (“eCommerce Growth Report: Data from 1,000 Online Stores”)
- Interviews with experts (“Building a Personal Brand: Interview with [Influencer’s Name]”)
- Case studies (“How a Link Building Agency Increased a Job Site’s Traffic from 4,8 Million to 12 Million in Just 10 Months”)
These resources should fit with Google’s E-E-A-T rules — Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness. For instance, if you discuss software, your content should reflect that you’ve actually used these tools you’re writing about, demonstrate a solid understanding of the subject, and back up any statements with real facts and examples.
Think about your own browsing habits. When you look for information on the Internet, what makes you want to bookmark this source or share it with your colleagues and friends? This is unlikely surface-level content made just for the sake of it. Instead, this can be an article that offers handy tips you can actually use. That’s the kind of content that can make niche-relevant backlinks naturally since people are eager to share it.
The best part is that good resources keep bringing in traffic and links year after year. While subpar link building tactics come and go, solid resources keep doing their thing. This is how one amazing resource beats twenty average ones.
Broken Link Building
Every day, numerous web pages vanish, leaving behind broken links all over the internet. These broken links lead to “404 error” pages, which means the content no longer exists at that location. This happens when websites move content, change their structure, or shut down completely. These broken links create a poor user experience and can harm website owners’ search engine optimization.
This is how this situation creates a perfect opportunity for building valuable backlinks. You just need to find broken links on other websites in your niche, write similar content, and then reach out to these site owners with an offer to replace their broken links. It works because you fix a real problem while earning some high quality links in the process.
Tools like Ahrefs significantly simplify the search for broken links across the web. You need to enter the domain of the source you’re interested in into Ahrefs’ Site Explorer and check out the broken backlinks report.
And if you want to see what used to be on those broken URLs, you can also make use of Wayback Machine. This is actually critical since your page should do the same job as the old broken link. So, if it used to lead to a guide about email marketing automation, your linkable content creation should take into account the same level of detail.
When it comes to reaching out, your email needs to be clear and helpful. Let the website owner know about the broken link, where you found it, and why your content would be an awesome alternative.
A simple email could go like this: “Hey there! I’ve found a broken link on your [specific page] about [topic]. The link to [broken URL] isn’t working anymore. I’ve put together a detailed guide on [topic] that would keep your resource page useful for your audience.”
Podcasts with Industry Leaders
Also, consider link building efforts beyond traditional guest posting. Take podcasts, for example.
When you’re featured in a podcast, the host will typically create several pieces of content related to your episode. They may publish show notes on their site with links pointing back to yours. Plus, many podcasters will write full blog posts that highlight the key points from your conversation or simply transcripts. Some even go the extra mile and create resource pages focused on different topics with highlights from various episodes.
Going on a podcast often opens the door to even more collaboration chances. Other podcast hosts might find you through your first episode and invite you to their shows, which means even more exposure and, of course, homepage links.
Directory Submissions (Only If Relevant)
While a lot of SEO guides say to steer clear of directory links, niche-specific directories can still be helpful. As always, the quality of resources is the determining factor.
Every industry has its go-to directories. For example, Healthgrades, RateMDs, and WebMD are top picks for healthcare professionals. Tech companies usually prefer G2, Capterra, and Software Advice listings since they all provide in-depth software comparisons and legitimate user reviews.
Don’t forget about directories run by professional organizations. For instance, many companies find it an exciting opportunity to be listed on The Better Business Bureau (BBB) and even mention this as one of their top advantages on their websites.
You could also check country-specific directories. They often have strong domain authority and attract targeted local traffic. Each city usually has its own set of respected business directories managed by local business organizations.
These platforms work because they’re used by people searching for specific services. Their strict verifications and regular updates keep the quality high, which is something both users and search engines can appreciate.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Link building seems simple at first — find websites, make niche-relevant backlinks, and improve rankings. But be aware of too easy opportunities.
Search engines like Google are getting smarter by the minute, and Google’s updates are on the lookout for manipulative tactics of increasing traffic through link building. Sites that got involved in link schemes may see their rankings crash overnight, lose ground they had held onto for years, and even never find their way back to the top.
That’s why smart website owners focus on earning links naturally. Yes, it takes more time and effort and particularly avoiding the mistakes below.
Over-Optimization
Search engines can detect unnatural patterns in your backlink profile. One big clue is over-optimization — that’s when your link building looks way too perfect. This happens when site owners get overly obsessed with their links and make patterns that are hard to miss.
Let’s look at common signs of over-optimization. Using the same anchor text too many times can be the first red flag. For instance, hundreds of links with the anchor “best software developers” definitely feel artificial. Real links include different aspects — sometimes it’s your business name, sometimes it’s a description.
Backlinks should come from different types of websites. Getting links only from blog posts or only from specific types of sites won’t look real to Google. Legitimate sites naturally attract diverse links from news outlets, blogs, directories, and other industry sources.
Finally, consider your link timing. If you get a sudden burst of 50 new website links one week and then nothing for months, that’s another warning sign to Google. Natural growth in links happens slowly over time. Some months might be busy, but such spikes usually mean someone’s trying to game the system. Imperfection is what makes your link profile look authentic.
Acquisition of Irrelevant Backlinks
Some links can actually hurt your website rankings and traffic. Spammy link building techniques can only create more issues down the road, even if these sites look helpful at first glance. Avoid connecting with link farms (websites created solely to host links), unmoderated directories (sources where links don’t go through any verification process), and private blog networks (a network of websites typically controlled by one owner).
Detecting suspicious websites isn’t hard once you know what to look for. Start by checking their content quality (remember E-E-A-T?). And be careful of websites that copy content from other sites.
Plus, if you notice short posts on a variety of topics, first loans, then pets, and then roofing, that’s exactly the case. Finally, link farms usually have cluttered layouts filled with ads, which make it hard to read. And they often overcrowd every page with numerous outbound links.
The damage from irrelevant links goes beyond SEO. They can bring low-quality traffic, which, in turn, may affect your site’s user engagement metrics. Plus, being associated with questionable websites might harm your brand’s reputation.
That’s why we also recommend conducting a link building audit to take a close look at your current backlinks. Tools like Moz make this easy. It will show you a domain authority score, along with a spam score to flag risky links. Take a look:
If you find links from link farms and other low-quality sites, think about disavowing them through Google Search Console.
Neglect of No-Follow Links
When it comes to link value for SEO, there are two kinds of links: do-follow and no-follow. The main difference is how they share authority between sites.
The do-follow link looks like this in the code:
<a href=”https://example.com/”>backlink services</a>
This type helps the linked page rank better in search results.
No-follow links have a little extra code that tells search engines, “Don’t count this as a recommendation.”:
<a href=”https://example.com/” rel=”nofollow”>backlink services</a>
Websites often use them to avoid spam or indicate paid links. You usually see no-follow links in comment sections, social media posts, and on major platforms like Wikipedia.
Some SEO beginners only chase do-follow links and overlook no-follow ones, but that can be a mistake. While no-follow links don’t directly increase your rankings, they offer other benefits. A no-follow link from a busy industry forum might bring more value, like qualified visitors, than a do-follow link from a quiet blog.
Real users don’t see or care about link types. If someone discovers a link to your website, they’ll click regardless of whether it’s do-follow or no-follow. These visitors are often more likely to become customers since they found you while searching for solutions.
No-follow links also help build brand visibility. When people constantly see your name across various platforms, they’re more likely to remember you. This can lead to more direct visits and natural mentions on other sites.
Ultimately, well-rounded link building assets need both types of links. Having only do-follow links can look suspicious to search engines.
The Future of Niche Relevant Backlinks
Google keeps making updates that create the need for smarter link building strategies. The recent update in March 2024 is worth mentioning. It aims to prevent spam from appearing in search results. What particularly catches Google’s attention is that you can have excellent content on your website but still host low-quality content from others (in case you exchange guest posts). This can now hurt your entire site’s reputation.
In the end, building natural links will always be key for search rankings. Websites that focus on creating useful content and forming real industry connections will come out on top. The quality of content will be what drives link success.
Websites will need to create resources that actually help people solve their problems. Original research, expert insights, and practical tutorials are must-haves for the upcoming years, and these totally deserve to be published in reputable sources with clear style guidelines and strong editorial standards.
One thing is clear, once you have a valuable piece of content, you should submit it to websites with clear navigation, fast loading time, mobile-friendly UX, and diverse content formats.
None of us can predict exactly what Google will do next and how new technologies will reshape SEO. But the focus on quality content and authentic industry connections is a great way to future-proof your link building strategies and the overall SEO approach.
Get Started Today!
Your industry link building shouldn’t be a sprint but rather a steady journey that rewards patience and quality. As the saying goes, “A big tree is growing slowly.” While others rush to gather any links they can find, take your time to nurture solid relationships with the right sites and produce content that people want to link to.
The key here is that your link profile should develop naturally, just like real business relationships. Some weeks, you might score several great backlinks, while other times, you’ll be busy creating content that others want to link to or making industry connections.
Such a rhythm will help you keep your standards high and avoid the risky shortcuts that could hurt your site’s reputation. Through our linkable content creation services, we can help you become a truly helpful resource in your niche and ensure the right backlinks come your way. Backlinkers got you covered!
Since 2015, we’ve been serving businesses across virtually every industry to build powerful, relevant backlink profiles. In just ten months, we helped boost a job site’s traffic from 4.8 million to 12 million visitors. And that’s only one of our many wins!
Let’s talk about your link building plan. Schedule a free consultation and discover how we can help you make niche-relevant backlinks that increase both rankings and reputation.
