A few years ago, Sarah, a passionate travel blogger, wrote an article about hidden gems in Europe. It was rich in detail, beautifully written, and brimming with stunning photos. But despite her efforts, it barely attracted any traffic. Meanwhile, John, another travel writer, published a similar post titled “25 Hidden Gems in Europe That You Must Visit in 2024.” His article skyrocketed in popularity, gaining hundreds of backlinks and traffic from major publications.
What was the difference?
John didn’t just write good content; he used a strategic approach called The Skyscraper Technique. While Sarah relied solely on creativity, John combined creativity with a data-driven method to build backlinks that lasted. In this post, we’ll dive into how you can replicate John’s success, build sustainable backlinks, and grow your online presence using the Skyscraper Technique. And yes, we’ll be sprinkling in plenty of stats and tips along the way!
What Is the Skyscraper Technique?
The Skyscraper Technique, coined by SEO expert Brian Dean of Backlinko, is a three-step link-building strategy designed to create high-quality content that attracts backlinks naturally. The concept is simple:
- Find popular content in your niche 🕵️♂️
- Create an improved, more valuable version 🏗️
- Reach out to the right audience to share it 📬
By creating content that’s better, more comprehensive, and more engaging than existing articles, you essentially build a “skyscraper” that towers over the competition.
Why the Skyscraper Technique Works
1. People Want the Best Resource
A study by BuzzSumo found that 75% of all content online gets zero external links. Why? Most of it isn’t worth linking to! People and websites want to link to content that stands out and delivers exceptional value.
2. Backlinks Are Still SEO Gold
According to a study by Ahrefs, 90.63% of web pages get no traffic from Google, often due to a lack of backlinks. High-quality backlinks remain one of the top three ranking factors in Google’s algorithm.
3. Content Fatigue Demands Innovation
Every day, over 7.5 million blog posts are published worldwide. To break through the noise, your content needs to offer something significantly better than what’s already available.
How to Implement the Skyscraper Technique Step by Step
Step 1: Identify Link-Worthy Content
Start by finding content in your niche that has already performed well. Use tools like:
- Ahrefs: Find content with the most backlinks in your niche.
- BuzzSumo: Discover articles with high shares.
- Google Search: Look for top-ranking content for your target keywords.
For instance, if you’re focusing on article submission sites, search for content like “Top Article Submission Sites for SEO” and note the backlinks it has attracted.
Pro Tip:
Look for content with:
- High social shares 💬
- Many backlinks 🔗
- A mix of outdated and evergreen info 🌱
Step 2: Create a Better Version
Your goal is to outdo the original article in every way. Here’s how:
- Add Fresh Data and Statistics: Did you know that 91% of marketers agree that SEO is a critical part of their strategy? Include relevant, updated data to build authority.
- Enhance Visual Appeal: Incorporate infographics, charts, and custom images to make your content more engaging.
- Expand the Content: If the original article lists “10 Best Article Submission Sites,” create a more detailed post with “50 Reliable Article Submission Sites.”
- Improve Readability: Use clear subheadings, bullet points, and emojis to make your content skimmable.
Step 3: Reach Out and Promote
The final and most crucial step is outreach. Simply creating stellar content won’t guarantee backlinks. You need to actively promote it.
- Email Outreach: Reach out to websites that linked to the original article and suggest your updated piece as a better resource.
- Use Social Media: Share your content on platforms like LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook.
- Leverage Article Submission Sites: Platforms like Medium, HubPages, and EzineArticles are excellent for driving visibility and backlinks.
Pro Tip:
Personalize your outreach emails! Use their name, highlight why your content is valuable, and keep it concise.
Real-Life Success Stories
1. Brian Dean’s 110% Traffic Boost
Using the Skyscraper Technique, Brian Dean created an updated guide on Google ranking factors. By identifying outdated content and crafting a more comprehensive version, he increased his organic traffic by 110% in just two weeks.
2. Siege Media’s Content Expansion
Siege Media used the Skyscraper Technique to grow a client’s backlink profile by 150% in six months. They focused on creating visual-heavy content with up-to-date statistics.
3. Ahrefs’ Explosive Growth
Ahrefs itself applied this strategy to create a comprehensive guide on SEO statistics. Their article has attracted thousands of backlinks, dominating the search results.
Skyscraper Technique Best Practices
1. Focus on Evergreen Topics 🌱
Choose topics that will remain relevant over time. For instance, “Best Practices for Article Submission Sites in 2024” has more longevity than “Latest SEO Trends of January 2024.”
2. Add Original Research 📊
Content with unique data gets 3x more backlinks than generic posts, according to HubSpot. Conduct surveys, run experiments, or share case studies.
3. Don’t Forget Internal Linking 🔗
Boost the authority of your own site by linking to related posts within your content.
4. Engage with Visual Content 🎨
Articles with images get 94% more total views, as per MDG Advertising. Invest in custom visuals for maximum impact.
5. Regularly Update Your Content 🛠️
Outdated content loses its ranking power. Refresh your skyscraper posts every 6-12 months with new data and insights.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
❌ Skipping Outreach
Creating great content isn’t enough. Without promotion, it won’t reach the right audience.
❌ Overloading with Keywords
While using keywords like article submission sites is essential, keyword stuffing can harm readability and rankings.
❌ Ignoring Mobile Optimization
With 60% of searches happening on mobile, ensure your skyscraper content is mobile-friendly.
The ROI of the Skyscraper Technique
Investing in the Skyscraper Technique yields long-term results:
- Higher Rankings: Quality backlinks boost your site’s authority.
- Sustainable Traffic: Evergreen skyscraper content continues driving traffic for years.
- Brand Authority: Become a trusted resource in your niche.
According to HubSpot, companies that blog regularly receive 97% more inbound links than those that don’t. Pairing this with skyscraper-level content magnifies your link-building potential.
Conclusion: Building Backlinks That Last
Backlinks are the lifeblood of successful SEO, but not all backlinks are created equal. The Skyscraper Technique offers a proven path to earning sustainable, high-quality links by focusing on creating exceptional content and proactive outreach.
So, the next time you’re crafting content, ask yourself: Is this a skyscraper that towers above the competition? Build it tall, build it strong, and watch your SEO rankings soar.
🔗 Ready to implement this technique? Start by exploring top-performing article submission sites and elevate your content marketing game today!
