White Hat Link Building: Five Tactics That Work in 2024

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There's often talk about the hats that link builders wear. White, gray, and black.

But what do these hats and their colors signify? That's what I'll shed light on in today's blog. And of course, I wouldn't leave you without tactics that you apply right away to up your link building game.

So, let's begin the charge!

What is White Hat Link Building?

White hat link building is all about playing by the rules set by Google. They say the best way to get links is by creating awesome content that people naturally want to share.

But here's the thing: Some folks think you gotta do a little outreach too. They believe that reaching out to others and promoting your content is important for getting those links. Be that as it may, here’s a checklist of the key aspects of white hat link building:-

Aligns with search engine guidelines

Emphasizes quality content

Earns links organically

Incorporates outreach

Relies on an editorial review

Encourages natural citations

Values audience benefit

Prioritises long-term success

So, at the end of the day, White hat link-building is about being genuine and helpful. No sneaky stuff or shortcuts. It's about creating great content that people love, reaching out when it makes sense, and getting links that truly benefit everyone involved.

👉 Get started with your first white hat link-building tool

How is it Different from Grey Hat and Black Hat Link Building

We've got two more flavors of link building: gray hat, and black hat. Let me break them down for you.

Grey hat link builders are the risk-takers. They bend the rules a bit, buying links from iffy sources like $5 Fiverr links or PBNs. It's a gamble, though, because they could get in trouble with penalties.

Black hat link builders are the rule-breakers. They don't care about playing nice. They spam, farm, and hide links, all for quick gains. But beware, 'cause search engines will smack them down hard.

TL;DR: White hat is legit, grey hat is risky, and black hat is just asking for trouble. The digital world has its own laws, and breaking them comes with consequences.

Five White Hat Link Building Tactics in 2023

1. Smartlinks

Do you know what makes link-building such a pain? The endless outreach, and even the build-up that comes before. From filtering domains to prospecting contacts to personalizing emails to following up endlessly. All of this, though part of every link builder's everyday life, is a nightmare.

But we thought that link building, as vital as it is for SEO, should not be akin to shoveling snow. And then we built Smartlinks, a zero-outreach link-building platform.

How to build backlinks at scale using Smartlinks:-

1) Upload link-worthy content: The content that you want to strengthen rankings for with some link juice? Upload it to Smartlinks, which is easier than posting a picture on Instagram.

2) Know your keywords: Which keywords do you want to build backlinks for? Knowing that is the next step.

3) Add filters and choose from curated opportunities: Don't want sites with low DR, dwindling traffic, or a high spam score? Then add those filters and steer clear of such opportunities. Instead, find precisely the kind of high-quality, relevant backlinks you want.

4) Send a one-click backlink request: Like an opportunity that we picked for you? Then just hit the 'send backlink request' button and move right on. That's all you need to do.

5) Build backlinks: Your backlink request either gets accepted or rejected, all in a day's time. No anxiety-inducing waiting or brain-breaking negotiations are needed.

2. HARO

HARO (Help a Reporter Out) is a platform that connects journalists with expert sources for news stories, and it's a popular link-building strategy for SEO professionals and content marketers.

How to do HARO Link Building:-

Sign up for HARO: Go to helpareporter.com and sign up as a source. You'll receive emails with queries from journalists seeking expert opinions.

Choose relevant queries: Look for queries that match your expertise or industry. Focus on those to increase your chances of being selected.

Craft a compelling response: Understand the journalist's requirements and write a concise, informative response that directly addresses the query. Provide valuable insights or unique perspectives.

Follow submission guidelines: Pay attention to word limits, formatting, and requested information. Stand out by following instructions.

Be responsive and timely: Respond promptly to queries that interest you, respecting journalists' tight deadlines.

Maintain professionalism: Use proper grammar, be polite, and avoid self-promotion. Provide valuable information for the journalist.

3. Linkable Assets

A linkable asset is a piece of content or resource that's so darn valuable, cool, and irresistible that other websites can't help but link back to it. Think killer guides, mind-blowing research studies, eye-catching infographics, or handy tools. It's the stuff that makes people go, "Whoa, gotta share this!"

How to create linkable assets:-

Know your audience: Figure out your target audience and what gets them hyped. This helps you create content that speaks their language and gives 'em what they crave.

Find hot topics: Keep an eye out for trending or evergreen topics in your niche. You want something that grabs attention and has the potential to score tons of backlinks.

Create valuable content: Craft content that's thorough, well-researched, and easy on the eyes. Simply put, your linkable asset needs to solve a problem, answer burning questions, or give people something they can't resist. The more value you pack into it, the more likely it is to attract those coveted backlinks.

Make it shareable: Make your asset super easy to share. Add social buttons, encourage readers to spread the word, and watch your linkable asset go viral.

Nail SEO fundamentals: Don't forget to give your asset some SEO garnish. Use the right keywords, optimize meta tags, and make sure search engines can't resist crawling and ranking your masterpiece.

Spread the word: Reach out to websites, bloggers, and influencers who might like your linkable asset. Share it on social media, join communities, and engage with your peeps. The more eyeballs on your asset, the more backlinks it'll score.

P.S. Building linkable assets, though extremely rewarding, takes a ton of time and still might not work. So, care to safeguard your time by simultaneously building backlinks via a more reliable medium?

👉 Try Smartlinks for Free!

4. Guest Posts

It's a sweet link building strategy where you write valuable articles and get them published on other websites or blogs. And of course, you score some backlinks in return. Your regular-old quid pro quo.

How to do guest post link building:-

Find websites to pitch: Look for sites or blogs that are relevant to your niche or interests. Filter for domains such that they’re places where your audience hangs out. Putting through some SEO filters will also help.

Check out their guidelines: Before contacting these websites, take a quick peek at their guest posting guidelines. They'll tell you what they're looking for—topics, word count, and all that jazz.

Nail that pitch: When you're ready to make your move, craft a killer pitch to impress the website owners or editors. Show them why your guest post will rock their socks off. Herein, try to add some social proof. Even something as simple as talking about your previous guest posts or your brand affiliations can do the trick.

Create amazing content: Once your pitch gets the green light, it's time to work your magic. Write a top-notch article that's informative, engaging, and oozing with your unique style. Spice it up with visuals, examples—make it shine.

Sneak in those links: Sprinkle some links back to your own website within the guest post. Just make sure they're relevant and add value. Don't go overboard with self-promotion—nobody likes that.

Chat with the crowd: After your guest post goes live, mingle with the readers in the comments section. Answer questions, soak up the feedback, and make some new online buddies.

5. Niche Edits

A niche edit is when you replace an existing link in an article or webpage with a link to your own website. It's a way to get backlinks by leveraging already published content.

How to go about niche edits:-

Find relevant websites: Look for websites in your industry or niche that have a good reputation and engaged audience.

Research suitable content: Identify articles or pages where your link would be a valuable addition. Focus on topics related to your expertise or target audience.

Make a persuasive pitch: Reach out to website owners or editors, explaining why your link would benefit their readers and your website. Highlight the unique insights you offer.

Provide valuable content: Offer a high-quality piece of content that seamlessly fits into the existing article. Ensure it adds value to the reader's experience.

Build relationships: Engage with website owners or editors by leaving comments and establishing yourself as a reliable source in your field.

Track results: Monitor the performance of your niche edits. Keep an eye on traffic, engagement, and search rankings to measure their effectiveness.

P.S. Like many other white hat tactics, niche edits also require extensive, hit-or-miss outreach. Take a calmer road to building backlinks, that too at scale. How?