Editorial backlinks are a crucial element of effective SEO strategies. An editorial backlink is an organic link acquired thanks to the quality and value of the content, rather than through payment, exchange, or direct requests.
Creating high-quality content is essential to attract these valuable backlinks. When a website regularly publishes insightful and useful information, it becomes a resource that others want to reference.
This article will bring you an useful guide to improve your editorial backlinks strategy and enhance your rankings
What is an Editorial Backlink?
Backlinks are links originating from other websites pointing to your site. Unlike other types of backlinks, editorial backlinks are considered valuable because they are naturally integrated into the editorial content of a third-party website. They signal the search engine that your site content is trustworthy and worth sharing.
According to Ahrefs, editorial backlinks are usually “the most valuable and desired backlinks any website can get, but only specific types of content can attract these links.”
For example, product pages are not likely to earn editorial links. However, an online Free SEO tool or a valuable E-book can earn thousands of editorial links because several websites want to recommend it to their readers.
Why Are Editorial Backlinks Important for SEO?
Editorial links are valuable because they are created naturally without any exchange or transactional influence, which makes them more authentic and natural. Search engines appreciate these links as they reflect an implicit recommendation from content creators, indicating that the content is of high quality.
Credibility and Authority Validation
An editorial backlink is similar to a vote of confidence from a third-party website. When renowned sites in your industry mention you in their articles, it not only increases your visibility but also boosts your credibility with both users and search engines. The trust generated in this way can help enhance your domain’s authority and domain rating in the long term.
Creating editorial backlinks requires creating high-quality, informative content. Such content is more likely to draw the attention of journalists and editors, fostering trust and credibility.
Over time, consistent backlinks can position a brand as a thought leader in its industry.
Improving keyword rankings
Editorial backlinks naturally come from reputable sources, passing link equity to the linked site.
This “link juice” strengthens a website’s authority in the eyes of search engines. Websites with multiple high-quality editorial backlinks tend to achieve higher positions in search engine results.
Studies show that search engines prioritize sites with high authoritative backlinks because they signal trustworthiness. This means that acquiring such links can significantly boost visibility and drive increased organic traffic.
Moreover, sites that adhere to Google’s anti-spam policies benefit the most from these links, as they are less likely to face penalties.
Visibility and Visitors
When an article mentions your website, it naturally draws traffic to your site and attracts more potential customers. This is non-manipulative and high-quality traffic that is highly appreciated by Google.
Reliability
Quality backlinks come from reliable sources. When trustworthy websites link back to a site, it is perceived as more trustworthy by potential visitors.
Indexing
If a search engine finds backlinks pointing to a website, it helps boost the indexation of this URL. These pages are recorded faster by indexing crawlers.
Editorial backlinks vs other kinds of backlinks
The table below represents different popular types of backlinks as well as the difficulty level for each backlink:
| Backlink types | Impact on SEO | Difficulty level |
| 1. Editorial backlinks (guest blogging without payment) | 90 | 90 |
| 2. Guest post (with payment) | 80 | 70 |
| 3. Natural link with quality content | 90 | 95 |
| 4. Forum Backlinks and Blog Commenting | 20 | 10 |
| 5. Social backlinks | 20 | 30 |
| 6. PR backlinks | 80 | 85 |
How to Obtain Editorial Backlinks?
Maintaining editorial backlinks requires a proactive approach that focuses on creating valuable content and building meaningful relationships. Strategies such as original research, expert roundups, and outreach efforts play a crucial role in acquiring these high-quality links.
Producing high-quality content is necessary to earn editorial backlinks. This type of content should provide unique insights, research findings, or comprehensive analysis on relevant topics.
For example, original research or case studies can draw attention, especially when addressing current industry trends. Definitive guides or in-depth tutorials also enhance link value. Sometimes, infographics and viral content can encourage people to share them naturally and voluntarily.
Such resources position the author as a thought leader and give other websites strong reasons to link back. Consistent quality elevates overall credibility, increasing the possibility of being referenced by reputable sources.
Participate in Studies, Expert Roundups, and Interviews
Participating in studies and compiling expert roundups can boost link acquisition. Original studies present data that others in the industry may cite.
Conducting interviews with industry experts further strengthens this approach, as their insights can attract more attention and establish valuable connections. Expert roundups consolidate diverse perspectives, providing value to readers and increasing shareability.
When multiple influencers or thought leaders contribute, they often share the case study with their audiences, fostering organic backlinks.
Leverage Media, Digital PR, and Outreach
Utilizing digital PR techniques can significantly enhance the acquisition of editorial backlinks. Building relationships with the media enables targeted outreach when promoting new content.
Press releases announcing the newest findings or updates can capture media attention and generate links from news articles. Additionally, platforms like Help a Reporter Out (HARO) connect authors with journalists seeking expert opinions.
Responding to queries can lead to mentions and backlinks in high-profile publications.
Build Relationships with Journalists and Influencers
Cultivating relationships with journalists and influencers is necessary for editorial backlinks acquisition. Networking within the industry can lead to collaboration opportunities.
Attending industry events, joining webinars, or engaging on social platforms helps build rapport over time. Becoming popular in the industry can facilitate introductions, guest posting opportunities, or direct brand mentions.
When journalists trust an author, they are more likely to link to their content because they know it provides value to their audience.
Types of Content That Naturally Earn Editorial Backlinks
Free Tool
If you can code and create an online tool, you will create a valuable online tool to attract backlinks.
A free tool is undoubtedly one of the best backlink magnets. With the right resources and idea, you can create a free tool that meets a direct user need. For example, Scapbot offers Indexpush, a free tool to push indexation. This allows it to rank first on the query “Indexpush” with thousands of monthly searches, thanks to numerous backlinks.
It also boosts conversion rates by collecting vital lead information.
For example, this image compression tool attracts several backlinks. Users tend to share this online tool naturally. These kinds of backlinks are very appreciated by Google
Impactful Infographics
Visual media is highly popular and encourages web hosts to share their content. It enhances message visibility, attractiveness, and engagement.
Creating infographics with clear and useful data, especially original and trending data in an industry, increases the chances of obtaining a large number of backlinks without spending a euro. Infographics are generally shared on blogs, websites, and social networks, continuously attracting more visitors. A graphic designer’s work can therefore boost your SEO.
Videos and Podcasts / Interviews
Tutorial videos, product demonstrations, webinars, and podcasts are rapidly trending in link-building strategies. High-quality audiovisual content can be embedded or shared by media outlets, blogs, or partners, with a link back to your site as the source. Expert interviews also strengthen your credibility.
Audio and video formats can be repurposed on YouTube, podcast platforms, and social networks.
White Paper or Ebook
A white paper or ebook is a longer, richer guide compared to a blog article or website page. By writing a high-quality ebook, you can gain content authority.
This authority quickly translates into a positive factor for your SEO. You’ll climb the SERPs more easily and increase your traffic, although creating a white paper and e-book
Practical Guide or Tutorial
A practical guide, like a white paper or ebook, makes life easier for users. Some websites may integrate parts of it, sharing your content and creating backlinks to the original. A practical guide can take the form of a detailed blog post or a tutorial video. Depending on the subject and complexity, your site can earn high-quality backlinks. Remember, content quality increases your chances.
Here’s the link profile of How to get Shopify Free Trial Article
Implementing Industry Studies or Analyses
Original data is a quality backlinks resource. A market study, trend analysis, or industry barometer draws attention from media outlets and influencers in your industry.
The more unique data your content contains, the more it will be referenced, often with a direct link to the source.
To gain rankings, focus on content quality. Implementing one or more of these content types helps you earn free backlinks.
Best Practices to Maintain Editorial Backlinks Over Time
Regularly create high-potential content
Many businesses try to build backlinks without asking themselves whether their content is high-quality enough to encourage other websites to share it.
To identify the types of content most likely to generate backlinks and turn into long-lasting web assets, you can use the content opportunity identification features offered by most platforms, such as Ahrefs, SEMRush.
Build Relationships with Journalists and Influencers
Developing relationships with publishers is vital for obtaining editorial links. Networking within the industry can lead to collaboration opportunities. Attending industry events, participating in webinars, or engaging through social platforms can gradually build rapport. By becoming recognizable in your industry, they can help facilitate introductions, guest posting opportunities, or direct mentions. When journalists trust an author, they are more likely to link to their content, knowing it provides value to their audience.
Regularly audit your backlinks
Do follow backlinks can be dexindexed or become broken backlinks after a while. You should regularly audit your backlink profile to ensure that your backlinks are still “alive”. Otherwise, you can contact the web host to negotiate with them to restore these backlinks.
Likepion – A Powerful Tool That Complements Editorial Backlinks
Although editorial backlinks are valuable assets that bring in natural SEO strength, acquiring them takes considerable time and effort.
That’s why SEO experts often complement this approach with an automated link-building tool. We recommend Likepion, an automation profile backlink tool that helps increase the number of profile backlinks for your website, get them indexed quickly, and track progress with detailed reports
Get your 7-day free trial with Likepion here
Conclusion
In conclusion, backlinks are a key element of SEO that can transform your site’s visibility and authority. To succeed in acquiring backlinks, you need to be both strategic and persistent.
