Contextual Link Building – Ultimate Guide (2024)

Link quantity is no longer a priority for SEOs. 

Well, as we know, link quantity used to be the most sought-after thing for SEOs. 

But not anymore. 

Especially after the Penguin update. 

Instead, link quality has become the new showstopper. 

Because Google loves links that bring value and optimize the user experience. 

So, if you are in 2024, contextual link building should be your go-to strategy. 

In this case, you place links within relevant and informative content. 

It helps establish credibility and authority. 

Essentially, this approach ensures that links are valuable to users… 

…increase higher rankings and organic traffic. 

Hold on… Please take a moment to answer these questions… 

Is your link building partner a master at contextual link building? Have you EVER discussed this with them? 

If both answers are NO, that’s alarming! 

Anyway, if you are a beginner or a PRO… 

…This article is a roadmap for you. 

WHAT’S INSIDE? 

🟣What is contextual link building? 

🟣Secret to contextual link building. 

🟣Sharing an Unpopular opinion.

🟣Different types of contextual links.

🟣Importance of contextual links.

🟣How Google perceives contextual link building. Is it a ranking factor?

🟣How to build high quality contextual links that Google loves? 

🟣Top 3 Mistakes to avoid while building contextual links.

So, What Is Contextual Link Building?

As the name suggests, contextual link building is about context, relevance, and value addition.

These links are embedded within informative and valuable content. Therefore, they come with relevant information to users while boosting rankings. 

Unlike black hat methods focusing solely on the number of links… 

…contextual link building emphasizes quality and relevance.

Well, do you know the heart and soul of contextual links?

In-Content Links – The Secret To Contextual Link Building

What are they?

In-content links, also known as contextual links, are links that are placed within the body of relevant and informative content.

And Why Are They Important?

• Firstly, they seamlessly integrate within the content, making them more natural and less intrusive for users.

• Secondly, they provide relevant information and resources to readers, enhancing the overall user experience.

• Again, in-content links are more likely to be clicked and followed, leading to increased traffic and improved search engine rankings. 

• As a result, in-content links help establish your website’s credibility and authority.

In light of that information, let’s move on to the next section and see links through Google’s eyes.

How Does Google Perceive Contextual Link Building? Is It A Ranking Factor? 

Look, Google will never openly claim that links are a ranking factor. Because, pretty obvious, that it can lead to a lot of search engine manipulations.

But if you have been here for a long time, you know what contextual links can do for brands, SEOs, agencies, and entrepreneurs.

Links (of course, contextual) from sites with high DA, DR, and traffic are directly correlated with your rankings. The more – the merrier!

Yes, that’s the truth- not just a claim. Because we have done it repeatedly for thousands of our clients. But how do we do that? Check our link building case studies.

Well, understood? Let’s see what top SEO experts claim about contextual link building.

Guess what? They also vouch for contextual links for ranking.

An article excerpt from a search engine journal states: 

“Contextual links are probably a Google ranking factor.” 

Again, Ahref also hinted at the same thing. Their claim was:

Additionally, Google’s very own John Muller clarified that the total number of links is unimportant.

Instead, one relevant link from a high authority site can do wonders. His words were something like this: 

“Or there could be one really good link from one website out there that is, for us, a really important sign that we should treat this website as something that is relevant because it has that one link. I don’t know, maybe from like a big news site’s home page, for example. So the total number essentially is completely irrelevant.”

Different Types Of Contextual Links 

Contextual links can take various forms, including: 

• In-content links (Already Discussed): These are hyperlinks within the body of a piece of content, providing relevant information to readers. 

• Editorial Links: These are natural links that are voluntarily included within the body of a relevant article or blog post. 

• Guest Post Links: When you contribute a guest post to another website, you have the opportunity to include contextual links within the content. 

• Content Placement Links: These are links that are strategically placed within relevant and informative content, such as resource pages or round-up articles. 

• Infographic Links: If an infographic is created and hosted on your site, other sites may use it and link back to your site. The text surrounding the infographic becomes a contextual link. 

• Press Release Links: These are links embedded in press releases. When the press release is picked up by various news outlets, your links get distributed along with it, providing a wider reach. 

• Forum and Blog Comment Links: While not as powerful as other types, these links come from participating in relevant discussions on forums or in the comments section of blogs, and they can also contribute to your link profile. 

Importance Of Contextual Links 

Contextual links offer several benefits for your SEO efforts: 

1. Improved DA, DR, and PA: High authority links result in improved DA and DR. Moreover, contextual links also have a positive impact on page authority. When your web page is linked with meaningful and valuable content, search engines recognize it as a reliable source of significant information, thus boosting its authority.

2. Relevance: By placing links within relevant content, you increase the chances of attracting targeted traffic to your website. 

3. Authority: When your website is linked with informative and authoritative content, it helps to establish your website as a reliable source of information. 

4. Improved Rankings: Contextual links are highly valued by search engines, potentially leading to improved organic rankings.

Unpopular Opinion: Contextual Link Building Is Brand Building 

Wondering how?

Contextual links are typically seen as an SEO tool.

But they are more than that.

In fact, they are potent brand builders. HOW?

Each link is an opportunity to reinforce your brand’s voice and values. When strategically placing links in content that aligns with your brand’s ethos, you do more than improve your SEO.

Basically, you’re crafting a brand narrative across the web, spreading your brand’s message in a way that resonates with the ethos of the linking site. 

As you reach this point of the article, you may be wondering – “Now that I understand contextual link building how can I score those links?” 

Contextual Link Building – Top 7 Hacks

Yes, we are going to share 10 actionable strategies that can fetch you links worth building your brand. So, we want to be highly attentive for the next few minutes… 

1. First, Start With Guestographics 

Be the guide, not just a guest. 

Ever heard of guestographics (cool trick? If not, it’s time to boost your SEO knowledge.

Guestographics is all about creating a killer infographic and offering it to other sites as a guest post. And bam, you’re in the link-building game. 

By the way, Brian Dean (world-famous SEO guru) is the guy who coined this term. 

Now, get back to creating the infographics. Think of it as telling a story visually. Make it look good, sure, but also pack it with interesting data and insights. You want people to look and share it like they’ve found buried treasure. 

So, you’ve got this masterpiece. What next? Best Practices time.

First, scope out where you want to drop your visual gem. Find websites in your niche that’d dig what you’ve got. It’s like matchmaking for content. 

And when you’re ready to shoot your shot, personalize your pitch. Generic emails won’t suffice. Tell them why your infographic is tailor-made for their audience. Personal connections, you know? 

Now, about those links – sneak them in like a pro. They should feel like a natural part of the content, not some intrusive ad. Seamless, that’s the key. 

But watch out for Mistakes. Don’t forget your audience. Have you blurred your infographic’s brilliance with low quality? Nah, don’t even think about it. And SEO? Alt text and keywords are your allies. 

Now, let’s give your approach a unique spin.

PRO TIP: Your infographic isn’t just a guest post; it’s a problem solver. Show them how it tackles a specific issue or simplifies the complex. Be their guide through the visual maze. 

And there you have it, the lowdown on geographics. It’s time to turn your visuals into link magnets. Ready to take this strategy for a spin? 

Well, let’s move on to the next strategy.

2. Don’t Forget The King Of Content Marketing – Enter Guest Post (We Love This Strategy) 

Relevant links? They don’t just fall into your lap.

You gotta hustle for them. Finding niche-relevant bloggers and websites is like mining for gold.

We use our database (of 50,000+ websites) to find prospects for our clients.

But your case is different.

So, in your case, it’s not just about finding them. You need to build trust. You want these bloggers to see your site and think, “Ah, a fellow expert!” This trust is your ticket to getting a brand mention or that coveted backlink. 

This process is not a cakewalk. It’s long, it’s tough, but oh boy, is it worth it. The right people or agency can get you those high-quality links that everyone’s after. 

Here’s how it rolls: Manual blogger outreach connects you with industry leaders. It’s a handshake, a nod, an agreement to acknowledge each other’s expertise.

It’s cost-effective and, as a bonus, drives targeted referral traffic to your website. 

It’s not your run-of-the-mill guest post pitch when you reach out to an authority site owner. These bloggers have standards.

They want content that screams expertise.

Yes, it’s time-consuming, but with a solid outreach process tailored to almost any niche, you’re looking at high-quality, relevant backlinks. 

For the nitty-gritty of guest posting, check our guide.

3. Competitor’s Broken Backlinks

SEO is a survival of the fittest out here.

You have to be selfish at times. Why? Because being an SEO, your days will go in finding ways to outperform your competitors’ rankings.

Here’s a secret tactic: your competitors have already done the heavy lifting by building tons of backlinks. Some of these might not work anymore due to URL or domain changes. And that’s where you swoop in. 

Grab your favourite SEO tool – SEMRush, Ahrefs, or whatever suits your style. Do a quick backlink audit on your competitors. Spot those broken links from relevant sites? It’s time to make your move. 

Reach out to the site owners. Let them know about the inactive link and subtly suggest yours as a replacement. Often, they’ll bite. And just like that, you’ve snagged a dofollow, relevant backlink. 

4. Unlinked Brand Mentions 

This approach is subtle yet effective. You’re not just asking for a link; you’re enhancing their content with a relevant resource. It’s a win-win. 

Before you start building backlinks, check who’s talking about you but NOT linking to you.

Brand mentions are great, but they’re golden with a link. 

Use tools like Ahrefs to find sites that have mentioned your brand. Reach out and politely request a link. But here’s the kicker: 

• Ensure the link you ask for is relevant. 
• Avoid linking to just your homepage. 
• If you’re an eCommerce site, link to specific category pages that match the site’s content. 

Email Template

Subject: Thanks for Referring to Our Content

Hey [Recipient],

Thanks for mentioning our brand in your latest posts entitled: <page/article name>

However, you haven’t embedded the links in your content.

I think it will be highly beneficial for your readers if you add the link (pointed to our site) as the source of reference.

It will look more credible, improving your overall user experience.

Anyway, our team appreciates your shoutout and is expecting a link back to us.

Cheers to many more shoutouts,

<Your name>

<Company/Website Name> 

5. Research-Backed Content Allures People To Link To The Content

What’s the hack here?

Google websites covering topics similar to your research. Then, shoot them an email about your findings. 

Include a brief overview of your research in the email. It’s about dangling an irresistible piece of content in front of them.

Ask if they’re interested in adding your insights to their existing articles or, better yet, contributing a new article to their blog. This approach often yields more positive responses and links from highly relevant websites. 

Email Template 

Hi, <recipient’s name>

I am reaching out regarding your <article name>… I have some interesting data/findings on the topic…

Data: 1

Data: 2

Data: 3

Data: 4

Data: 5

Method: We analyzed the top 1000 websites (mention your method here)… Full Study, Method, Data, and Images: (share a link to the entire study)

These statistics will substantiate your content and improve user engagement.

If you have any questions regarding the study I would be happy to answer them.

Thanks

<Name>
<Company/Blog Name>

6. Connecting With Content Curators: A Secret To Contextual Links 

One effective strategy to accelerate acquiring impactful links is to network with content curators.

Think of content curation as a DJ mixing tracks for an audience. Curators scour through social media and search engines to find and share pertinent information.

So, What’s Next?

Here’s a streamlined approach to forging these crucial connections: 

FIRSTLY… 

1. Initiate With Research

Firstly, type your keyword, and launch your search. Then research the top content creators within your niche.

2. Next, Identify And Reach Out 

Now, skim through the titles in the results. Each one is a potential gateway. 

Dive into the content. Identify the author. Your goal? To work out the best mode of contact. Email usually wins, but sometimes, social media or a direct contact form can be your secret tool. 

3. And Most Importantly, Craft Your Email Outreach the Right Way

Email is the swiftest route to a meaningful connection. So, craft them carefully. 

Imagine here a snapshot of an effective, engaging email template. 

When reaching out, especially to those you haven’t interacted with before, keep these pointers in mind: 

• Casual Subject Lines: Go with lowercase. It feels more personal and less corporate. 
• Personalization is Key: Address them by name. It differentiates your email from the sea of spam. 
• Creativity Wins: Your email should spark interest, compelling the recipient to engage. Bland doesn’t cut it. 

7. Post Though-Leadership Content

To be seen as a leader, your content must show off your expertise. As simple as that!

It needs to be original, thought-provoking, and, most importantly, useful. This builds trust with your audience and positions you as a go-to source in your field. 

A shining example is Neil Patel and Brian Dean. They are a big name in digital marketing, known for their insightful, original content.

So, long story short: create content that showcases your expertise. This could be in-depth guides, opinion pieces on industry trends, or case studies.

Again, free tools, white papers, in-depth research, comprehensive guides, and thought leadership articles are like magnets for backlinks. 

Share your content across different platforms to increase visibility. 

Pro Tip: Engage with your audience. Respond to comments, participate in online discussions, and be available. This interaction builds credibility and establishes you as an approachable expert. 

So, are you enjoying this article? How is this article going so far?

Are you excited because you are armed with a lot of valuable insights?

But before you start taking any steps, please be aware of the mistakes that can prevent you from getting those results.

Mistakes To Avoid While Building Contextual Links 

While contextual link building has its advantages, it’s essential to avoid common pitfalls: 

1. Over-Optimization: Placing too many exact-match anchor texts or over-optimizing your links can be seen as spammy and may result in penalties from search engines.

2. Low-Quality Content: Ensure that the content surrounding your contextual links is valuable, relevant, and well-written. Low-quality content can harm your SEO efforts. 

3. Irrelevant Link Placement: Placing contextual links within irrelevant content can undermine their value and decrease their impact. 

Contextual Link Building: A Shift In SEO Paradigm 

Traditional link building used to fall into the trap of quantity over quality. This leads them to a maze of links without meaningful context.

However, the evolution of SEO tactics towards contextual link building signifies a paradigm shift in how we perceive and utilize link building.

It’s not simply about inserting a link within a sea of content anymore… 

….it’s about seamlessly integrating useful links within high-quality and pertinent content.

It’s about a symbiotic relationship where the content amplifies the link’s value, and the link, in turn, enriches the user’s experience.

This innovative approach transcends conventional SEO tactics… 

… transforming link building into art where relevance and quality reign supreme. 

So, do you want to be a part of this shift?

Pay attention: Consider Top Link Building Agencies like BloggerOutreach!

A wide array of successful SEO projects makes us the best choice.

For more details about our detailed SEO approach, talk to our expert.

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