The Skyscraper Technique is a link-building strategy that revolves around finding high-quality content in your niche, improving upon it, and getting other websites to link to your enhanced version. This method, coined by Brian Dean of Backlinko, focuses on creating content so good that it surpasses the existing content in terms of quality, thus encouraging others to link to it.
In this comprehensive guide, we will walk through every step of the Skyscraper Technique, with practical tips, tables, and an FAQ section.
1. What is the Skyscraper Technique?
The Skyscraper Technique is a content-driven link-building strategy designed to generate backlinks from authoritative websites in your niche. The core idea is to:
- Find the best-performing content in your industry that already has a significant number of backlinks.
- Create a superior version of that content by adding more value—more in-depth research, better design, comprehensive guides, etc.
- Outreach to websites that linked to the original content and suggest they link to your enhanced content instead.
This technique focuses on quality over quantity, ensuring that your content stands out and naturally attracts high-quality backlinks.
2. Why is the Skyscraper Technique Effective?
The Skyscraper Technique works for several reasons:
A. Value Addition
By improving existing content, you ensure that the resource is more valuable to users. Content that solves problems better, answers questions more comprehensively, or provides a more engaging experience will naturally attract more links.
B. Easy Outreach
Instead of creating content from scratch and hoping for backlinks, you are reaching out to people who have already linked to similar content. This means they are more likely to link to your improved version since they are familiar with the original topic.
C. Long-Term Strategy
When you create top-tier content using this method, it’s not only link-worthy at the moment of publication but continues to attract backlinks as time passes. High-quality content can be a consistent source of link-building opportunities.
3. How to Implement the Skyscraper Technique: Step by Step
Now, let’s break down the implementation process of the Skyscraper Technique into actionable steps.
3.1 Find Link-Worthy Content
The first step of the Skyscraper Technique is to identify content that already performs well. This is usually content that has a significant number of backlinks.
How to Find Link-Worthy Content:
- Use tools like Ahrefs, SEMrush, or Moz to search for top-ranking articles in your niche.
- Enter keywords related to your industry and identify the pages that have the highest number of backlinks.
- Look for content with high social shares, as these often indicate quality and shareability.
3.2 Create Better, More Comprehensive Content
Once you’ve found the content you want to improve upon, it’s time to enhance it. Here’s how:
Ways to Improve Existing Content:
- Expand on the Topic:
Add additional sections, examples, and case studies to provide deeper insights. - Update Information:
Ensure the content reflects the most up-to-date information in your field. - Enhance Visuals:
Add charts, infographics, or interactive elements that make the content more engaging. - Improve Readability:
Make the content easier to read with clear headings, subheadings, bullet points, and concise language. - Optimize for SEO:
Use keyword optimization and other on-page SEO techniques to ensure your content ranks well.
By creating a more comprehensive and well-structured version, your content will be positioned as a valuable resource.
3.3 Promote Your Skyscraper Content
Once the content is published, it’s time for outreach.
Outreach Process:
- Identify Linkers to the Original Content:
Use tools like Ahrefs or SEMrush to find websites that have linked to the original content. This is typically the easiest group to target for outreach. - Personalized Outreach Email:
Craft a personalized outreach email to these website owners. Mention that you noticed their link to the original content and offer them your improved version as a better resource. - Follow Up:
If you don’t hear back, send a polite follow-up email after a week or two to remind them.
The goal is to convince the website owners that your content is a more valuable resource and worthy of being linked to.
4. Best Tools for the Skyscraper Technique
The following tools are essential when implementing the Skyscraper Technique:
| Tool | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Ahrefs | To identify link-worthy content and analyze backlinks. |
| SEMrush | To find top-performing content and track keyword performance. |
| BuzzSumo | To discover the most shared content across social platforms. |
| Moz | To analyze backlinks and track domain authority. |
| Mailshake | For automating outreach campaigns and follow-ups. |
These tools will make the process of finding content, improving it, and reaching out to prospects easier and more efficient.
5. Common Mistakes to Avoid
While the Skyscraper Technique is effective, there are common mistakes that can hinder its success.
| Mistake | How to Avoid It |
|---|---|
| Focusing on Low-Quality Content | Make sure the original content has quality backlinks. Don’t waste time on low-performing content. |
| Creating Poor Content | Ensure that your content is genuinely better in value, not just longer or more detailed. |
| Spamming Outreach Emails | Personalize each email and ensure you’re not sending generic or irrelevant messages. |
| Neglecting SEO | Optimize your Skyscraper content for SEO to ensure it ranks well in search engines. |
| Ignoring Follow-Ups | Many times, people miss follow-up emails. Make sure to follow up tactfully after some time. |
Avoiding these common mistakes can significantly improve your chances of success.
6. Benefits of the Skyscraper Technique
Here are some key benefits of using the Skyscraper Technique:
A. Natural Backlinks
The technique naturally leads to organic link acquisition, as your content is enhanced, making it more likely that others will link to it.
B. Brand Authority
Creating top-tier content positions you as a thought leader or authority in your niche, helping you build trust with your audience.
C. Higher Rankings
With more backlinks, your content is more likely to rank higher in search engine results, bringing in more traffic.
D. Increased Traffic
By gaining backlinks from high-authority websites, your own website’s traffic will grow over time.
7. FAQs
Q1: How long does the Skyscraper Technique take to work?
The Skyscraper Technique can take a few weeks to a few months to show noticeable results. The process involves creating high-quality content, reaching out for backlinks, and waiting for sites to link back to you.
Q2: What types of content are best for the Skyscraper Technique?
The best content for this technique includes comprehensive guides, how-to articles, listicles, case studies, and research-backed content that solve problems or answer questions in your niche.
Q3: Can I use the Skyscraper Technique for local SEO?
Yes, you can use this technique for local SEO. Just focus on creating better content related to local topics, businesses, or industries and reach out to local businesses or publications for links.
Q4: Should I only target high-authority sites for backlinks?
While targeting high-authority sites is beneficial, don’t ignore smaller, relevant sites in your niche. A diverse backlink profile with high-quality, relevant links is often more powerful than a few links from large domains.
Q5: Is it okay to promote Skyscraper content on social media?
Yes, promoting your content on social media is a great way to increase visibility. Social shares can indirectly help with gaining backlinks as more people discover your content.
Conclusion
The Skyscraper Technique is one of the most effective link-building strategies, focusing on creating exceptional content that naturally attracts backlinks. By identifying link-worthy content, improving it, and promoting it through strategic outreach, you can significantly enhance your SEO and build valuable backlinks.
By following the steps outlined in this guide and avoiding common mistakes, you can successfully implement the Skyscraper Technique and see long-term benefits for your website’s SEO efforts.