What’s the difference between link earning & link building?
The terms “link earning” and “link building” are often used interchangeably in the context of SEO, but they represent subtly different approaches to the same goal: increasing the number and quality of inbound links to a website.
| Aspect | Link Building | Link Earning |
| Approach | Proactive outreach and negotiation to acquire links. | Passive; focuses on creating content that naturally attracts links without direct solicitation. |
| Tactics | Submitting to directories Posting on forums Guest blogging Link exchanges Buying links | Producing high-quality content Original research or reports Compelling visualsUseful tools/resources |
| Focus | Often on quantity, with an emphasis on acquiring as many links as possible. | On quality, with links naturally attracted by the content’s value. |
| Risk | Higher risk of penalties if tactics contravene search engine guidelines. | Lower risk, as the strategy is based on content merit, which is encouraged by search engines. |
| Outcome | Immediate increase in links, with potential for quick SEO gains. | Gradual increase in high-quality links, leading to sustainable SEO improvement and credibility boost. |
Why should you earn links?
Imagine your website as a bustling market stall in the vast marketplace of the internet. No matter how appealing your stall is, if it’s hidden away in a corner, chances are, shoppers will stroll right past. Now, what if other reputable market stalls start pointing the way to yours, recommending your products over the loudspeaker? Suddenly, you’re not just another stall in the market; you’re the one everyone’s talking about.
This is the power of earning links. It’s not just about getting any links; it’s about securing quality endorsements from reputable sites that signal to search engines – and, by extension, to your potential customers – that your content is valuable, authoritative, and trustworthy. The right links can catapult your website from obscurity to the top spots in search engine results pages (SERPs), driving traffic and fostering growth.
Our ethical approach to earning links
At our core, we believe in ethical, white-hat strategies for link earning. We tailor our campaigns to meet your brand’s unique needs, focusing on building genuine relationships with reputable websites and creating content that naturally attracts links.
- Ethical strategies: We steer clear of dubious techniques that could harm your site’s reputation. Instead, we focus on sustainable methods that contribute to your long-term success.
- Customised campaigns: Your business is unique, and your link-earning strategy should be too. Whether white-label link building or running a solo project, we customise our approach to align with your goals, ensuring that every link earned supports your overall business objectives.
- Collaboration with quality sites: We prioritise building relationships with websites that are respected and authoritative in their own right. This not only ensures the quality of your off-page SEO backlinks but also enhances your brand’s credibility.
- Content creation and promotion: At the heart of our link-earning process is compelling written content. By creating valuable and shareable content, we help attract natural links that boost your SEO and visibility.
Services included
Our comprehensive suite of managed SEO services includes everything from initial consultations to detailed monitoring and reporting.
Consultation
Start your journey with a detailed assessment of your current link profile, identifying strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities for growth. Our experts analyse your existing backlinks, evaluate the competitive landscape, and craft a personalised strategy designed to enhance your website’s authority and search engine ranking.
- In-depth analysis of your website’s backlink quality and quantity.
- Competitive benchmarking to understand where you stand in your industry.
- Custom strategy development focused on ethical and effective link earning.
Content marketing
At the heart of successful link earning lies compelling content. Our content marketing services are tailored to produce engaging, informative, and valuable content that naturally attracts links. From blog posts to website content, we create pieces that resonate with your audience and earn the attention of reputable sites.
- Content strategy based on your brand’s voice and audience’s needs.
- Creation of diverse content types to engage users and encourage shares and links.
- Promotion and distribution to maximise visibility and reach potential linkers.
Outreach programmes
Building relationships with influencers, bloggers, and industry leaders is pivotal in earning high-quality links. Our outreach programmes are designed to connect your content with key figures in your industry, leveraging these relationships to secure valuable backlinks and enhance your site’s credibility.
- Identification and engagement with influencers and content creators in your niche.
- Crafting personalised outreach messages that highlight mutual benefits.
- Follow-up and relationship management to foster long-term connections.
Monitoring & reporting
Keeping a close eye on your link profile and the impact of our link earning efforts is essential. Our monitoring and reporting service provides you with regular, in-depth insights into your backlinks, the progress of your campaigns, and the resulting SEO performance improvements.
- Continuous monitoring of new backlinks and their impact on your SEO.
- Regular reports detailing your link earning progress, including newly earned links and their sources.
- Analysis of SEO performance improvements tied to link earning efforts, with actionable insights for future strategies.
Frequently asked questions
How does link earning benefit my SEO?
Earning links from reputable and relevant sites signals to search engines that your content is authoritative and valuable, boosting your search engine rankings. This can lead to increased visibility, higher traffic, and improved SEO performance overall.
How long does it take to see results from link earning?
The timeline for seeing tangible results from link earning can vary widely depending on several factors, including the current state of your website, the competitiveness of your industry, and the quality of the content you produce. Generally, it can take a few months to see significant rankings and traffic improvements.
Is link earning better than link building?
Link earning is often considered more sustainable and less risky than traditional link building because it relies on creating content that naturally attracts links. This approach is more in line with search engine guidelines, which favour authentic, organically developed backlinks. However, both strategies can be effective when used ethically and in conjunction with a comprehensive SEO plan.
What types of content are most effective for earning links?
Content that is original, informative, and engaging tends to attract the most links. This can include in-depth guides, original research and data, infographics, compelling videos, and any content that provides significant value to your audience. Tailoring content to answer common questions or solve problems related to your industry can also be particularly effective.
How do you measure the success of a link earning campaign?
Success is measured through a variety of metrics, including the number and quality of backlinks earned, improvements in search engine rankings, increased organic traffic, and enhanced visibility and authority within your industry. Regular monitoring and reporting are crucial to assess the ongoing effectiveness of the campaign.
What happens if I earn links from bad sites?
Not all backlinks are beneficial. Links from spammy or irrelevant sites can harm your SEO. Part of our service includes monitoring your backlink profile and taking steps to disavow links that might negatively impact your website’s search engine performance.
How do you handle link earning in a competitive niche?
In competitive niches, creativity, quality, and strategic promotion are key. We focus on identifying unique angles and untapped content opportunities that can set you apart from the competition. Building relationships with industry influencers and leveraging social media and other platforms for content promotion are also crucial strategies.
Are there any industries or businesses that benefit more from link earning?
While link earning can benefit businesses in virtually any industry, those that can produce unique, valuable content or have access to original data and insights may find it easier to earn links. However, with a creative approach, even businesses in highly competitive or niche markets can successfully earn links.
