What to expect in this guide
Low-hanging fruits aren’t just for content tweaks – they’re prime targets for backlinks too.
When boosted by strategic link building, these high-potential pages can shoot up the rankings with minimal effort.
Why are backlinks important?
Despite all the algorithm updates, backlinks remain one of the most powerful ranking factors. But – not all links are created equal.
When you’re targeting low-hanging fruit, the goal is to give your nearly-there pages that final push onto page one. A few well-placed, relevant backlinks can:
📈 Improve keyword rankings
⭐️ Boost page authority
👀 Increase organic visibility
👋 Drive referral traffic
🤝 Support content that’s already performing
The key is knowing where to build links and how to do it without overcooking your strategy.
Step 1: Identify high-potential pages
Start with your keyword opportunity analysis. Pages already ranking between positions 6 and 20 for valuable keywords are perfect backlink targets – they’re close to the finish line.
Ask yourself:
- Is the keyword commercially valuable?
- Is the page relevant and optimised?
- Will a boost in authority move it up the SERPs?
If the answer is yes, it’s a backlink-worthy page.
Also, prioritise pages that already show signs of life:
- Pages with strong internal links pointing to them
- Decent impressions in Google Search Console
- Some existing backlinks (but not many)
Step 2: Work out how many backlinks you need
Don’t guess – get competitive.
- Search your main keyword in Ahrefs
- Look at the referring domains of the top 5–10 results
- Take an average to find your backlink benchmark
This gives you a realistic number to aim for. If competitors have 10–15 linking domains, aim to match (or slightly exceed) that over time.
💡
Pro Tip: Start small and build gradually – especially on newer pages. Google likes a natural growth curve.
Step 3: Plan your anchor text strategy
Anchor text tells Google what your page is about, so you want it to align with your target keywords – but you also want to keep things natural.
Here’s a safe, effective anchor roadmap:
- Stage 1: Brand-focused anchors – Bulldog, Bulldog SEO, click here
- Stage 2: Partial match anchors – Buy permanent backlinks, link building services UK
- Stage 3: Exact match (used sparingly) – Buy backlinks, SEO for small businesses
Aim for anchor diversity. Avoid stuffing exact match terms into every link – Google’s smarter than that.
Step 4: Choose the right link type
Not all backlinks are built the same. These are the two most effective formats:
Guest posts 🆕
You provide new, original content for a relevant site, and include a backlink to your own page.
Insertions 🏛️
Your backlink is added to an existing article on a live page, often with minimal content edits.
| Feature | Guest posts 🆕 | Insertions 🏛️ |
|---|---|---|
| Relevance | High – content written around your link | Medium – link must fit existing content |
| Anchor control | Full control | Partial control |
| Content freshness | New content boost | No new content |
| Authority | Depends on new page’s indexing | Often higher (aged page benefit) |
| Index speed | 1–3 days (on average) | 7–21 days (slower) |
| Cost | Higher (includes content + publishing) | Lower (no content cost) |
| Use case | Ideal for long-term relevance | Great for fast wins and volume |
Which is best?
Use both. Guest posts give you content context and control. Insertions are great for authority and speed. A balanced mix gives you both short- and long-term gains.
Step 5: Build relevance and trust
Backlink quality = trust + relevance. To hit the sweet spot:
- Stick to domains that are relevant to your niche
- Prioritise websites with a Domain Rating (DR) of 40+
- Avoid sites overcrowded with outbound links
- Check traffic quality – high DR doesn’t mean much if the site’s traffic is tanking
Bonus points for links within relevant paragraphs or editorial mentions.
Step 6: Track performance and adjust
Once links are live, it’s time to monitor:
- Keyword movement: Are you climbing toward page one?
- Traffic changes: Look for spikes or upward trends in GSC
- Indexation: Use Google’s “site:” operator for a quick insight
Be patient – backlink effects can take 2–8 weeks to kick in. If you’re not seeing movement:
- Recheck content optimisation
- Add internal links
- Consider boosting with more links or social shares
Bonus tip: Internal linking supercharges backlinks 👀
External links bring authority in, but internal links distribute it across your site. Make sure:
- You’re linking to target pages from related, authoritative internal pages
- You use descriptive, keyword-rich anchor text
- You avoid overlinking to the same page from every blog post
Internal links reinforce external backlinks and help search engines crawl your site more efficiently.
Smart links aren’t always hard to build!
Backlinks aren’t about brute force – they’re about precision. When you combine your keyword opportunity analysis with a focused backlink plan, you amplify the pages that matter most.
Think of it like this: your content is the engine, your backlinks are the fuel. When you direct both toward the right pages, your rankings get the boost they need to take off.
Next in the series: The impact of picking low hanging fruits 🍊
