Backlink Building Strategies 2024: What Still Works (And What’s a Waste of Time)

By Published: Category: Link Building 22 min read

Backlink Building Strategies 2024: What Still Works (And What’s a Waste of Time)

Let’s cut the fluff. If you’ve been doing SEO for more than a year, you already know that backlinks are still the backbone of Google’s ranking system. But the game has changed. The days of buying 50 expired domain links or spamming web 2.0s are over. In 2024, backlink building strategies are about relevance, authority, and genuine digital PR.

I’ve tested dozens of tactics this year. Some drove massive referral traffic and rankings. Others burned hours for zero movement. Here’s my honest breakdown of what’s working right now, what’s dying, and how to build links that actually move the needle.

Before diving into tactics, let’s address the elephant in the room: Does anyone still care about backlinks? Yes. Despite Google’s AI updates and the rise of zero-click searches, links remain one of the top three ranking signals (along with content quality and Core Web Vitals).

But here’s the nuance: Link quality is now 10x more important than quantity. A single link from a niche-relevant .edu or a top-tier tech publication can outperform 100 random directory links. Google’s SpamBrain update in late 2023 got even better at detecting unnatural link patterns. So, your link building strategy needs to be surgical.

1. The "Skyscraper 2.0" Technique (Still Works, But Smarter)

You know the classic Brian Dean method: find popular content, make it better, and ask for links. In 2024, that still works, but you need to add a data layer.

  • Step 1: Find a competitor’s page with 50+ referring domains.
  • Step 2: Create something 3x better — add original research, updated stats, interactive charts, or a free tool.
  • Step 3: Don’t just email webmasters. Instead, find the people who linked to the old version and reach out with a personalized angle: “Hey, you linked to X, but here’s the 2024 version with fresh data on Y.”

I did this for a client in the SaaS niche. We updated a 2019 guide on "remote work tools" with new pricing and a comparison matrix. We got 14 links in 60 days just by targeting outdated resource pages. The key is to use tools like Ahrefs or Semrush to find the exact URL list, then filter by domain rating (DR 30+).

2. Digital PR and Data-Led Content (The Real Winner)

If I had to put all my eggs in one basket for backlink building strategies 2024, it would be digital PR. Why? Because journalists and bloggers are starving for unique data. They don’t want to link to another "10 tips" blog. They want statistics, surveys, and expert opinions.

Here’s a repeatable process:

  • Conduct a small survey (even 100 responses on Google Forms works) on a trending topic in your niche.
  • Package the data into a visual asset: infographic, bar charts, or a simple interactive map.
  • Pitch to journalists using tools like Qwoted or Help a B2B Writer. Focus on the "surprising" angle, not the obvious one.

Real example: A fitness brand surveyed 1,000 people about their "cheat meal" habits. The surprising finding: 68% ate a cheat meal on Monday, not Friday. That one stat got picked up by Men’s Health and 12 other fitness blogs. Result: 23 high-quality backlinks in three weeks.

The catch? You need a hook. Generic data ("80% of people like pizza") won't get links. You need a contrarian or counterintuitive angle.

3. HARO and Connectively (Still Alive, But Slower)

HARO (Help a Reporter Out) is now called Connectively. It’s still a goldmine for backlink building, but the response rates have dropped because everyone uses it. To win in 2024, you need to be fast and specific.

  • Pro tip: Set up alerts for keywords like "expert quotes" or "statistics" in your niche. Respond within 15 minutes of the email blast.
  • Quality over quantity: Don’t pitch 10 queries a day with generic answers. Pitch 3 queries with deep, actionable insights. Journalists remember good sources.

One strategy that worked for me: Offer a unique stat that isn’t published anywhere else. For example, if you run an e-commerce store, share your cart abandonment rate. Journalists love exclusive data. This landed me links on Forbes and Business Insider (DR 90+).

Most people look at where competitors have links. That’s basic. In 2024, the smarter move is to find unlinked brand mentions. These are pages that mention your brand, product, or CEO but don’t link to you.

  • Use Google Alerts or Mention.com for brand monitoring.
  • When you find a mention, check if it’s a positive review, a quote, or a roundup.
  • Send a polite email: "Thanks for the mention! Would you mind adding a link to [your URL] so readers can find us?"

This is the lowest-hanging fruit in link building. The conversion rate is often 30-50% because you’re asking for something logical. I’ve done this for local businesses and recovered 15-20 links per month without any outreach to strangers.

5. The "Guest Post" Is Not Dead (It’s Just More Selective)

Guest posting gets a bad rap because of the spammy "write for us" pages. But when done right, it’s still one of the most reliable backlink building strategies. The trick is to go after publications that accept guest posts but don't advertise it.

  • Search for "write for us + [your niche]" but filter for DR 40+ sites with real traffic.
  • Look for sites that publish high-quality content but have a small "contribute" link in the footer.
  • Pitch a topic that solves a problem their audience has — not a generic "5 tips for marketing."

Warning: Avoid sites that sell "guest post packages" on Fiverr. Those are usually PBNs (private blog networks) that Google will deindex. Always check the site’s organic traffic. If a site has zero organic traffic, don't bother.

Broken link building is another classic. You find a dead page, tell the webmaster, and suggest your content as a replacement. In 2024, you need to be smarter about where you look.

  • Use Ahrefs’ broken link checker on high-authority resource pages in your niche.
  • Look for broken links on pages that rank for "best [topic] tools" or "[topic] resources."
  • When you email them, don’t just say "you have a broken link." Instead, say: "I noticed your guide on X has a broken link to Y. I have a similar resource that covers Z, but it’s more up-to-date."

The twist is to prioritize sites that have recently updated their content (check the "Last Modified" date in Ahrefs). They’re more likely to fix broken links quickly.

This is different from unlinked mentions. Link reclamation is about finding links that used to point to your site but now return a 404 error. Maybe you changed a URL structure or deleted a page.

  • Use Ahrefs or Semrush to see your "lost backlinks" report.
  • Find the URLs that are now 404ing but still have high authority.
  • Set up 301 redirects or recreate the content, then email the linking site: "Hey, that link to [old URL] is broken. Here’s the new URL."

This takes 30 minutes a month and can recover 5-10 links easily. Most SEOs ignore this because it’s not "sexy," but it’s pure profit.

What to Avoid in 2024 (The Black Hat Trap)

Let’s be clear: Some tactics are dead forever. Do not waste time on:

  • Link farms and PBNs – Google’s SpamBrain is better at detecting these patterns.
  • Forum spam and comment spam – All the links are nofollow, and it looks desperate.
  • Purchasing links from agencies that promise "DR 70 links" without showing the actual sites. 90% of those are on expired domains with thin content.

If a strategy feels too easy, it’s probably against Google’s guidelines. The best backlink building strategies require effort, but they compound over time.

How to Measure Success (Don't Just Look at DR)

Finally, don’t obsess over Domain Rating. A DR 50 link from a relevant blog with 5k monthly visits is worth more than a DR 80 link from a spammy tech site with no engagement.

Track these instead:

  • Referral traffic from the linking page (does anyone actually click?)
  • Rankings for your target keyword (did the link help you move from page 2 to page 1?)
  • Brand searches (are more people searching for your name?)

The fundamentals haven't changed: create something link-worthy and tell the right people. But the execution has shifted toward data-driven digital PR, personalized outreach, and reclaiming what’s already yours.

If you only have 5 hours a week, spend 3 on digital PR and 2 on link reclamation. Skip the tired guest post outreach to low-quality sites. And for the love of Google, stop chasing "quick wins." The links you build today will either help you or hurt you in six months. Choose wisely.

Now, go check your unlinked mentions. That’s your first task.

#backlink building strategies 2024 #Link Building #SEO

SEO Editorial Team

Expert SEO strategies, tips, and techniques to boost your search rankings