Link building continues to be a critical strategy in SEO, with various tactics evolving to stay ahead of Google’s algorithms. Recent data shows that 82% of SEOs rely on backlink analysis tools like Ahrefs and Semrush, showcasing the importance of understanding competitors’ link profiles​.
Interestingly, over half of the SEO professionals believe that a balanced approach, combining both quality and quantity of backlinks, is most effective​. In addition, social media has become an increasingly valuable platform for link-building efforts, with more than 3 in 5 marketers incorporating it into their outreach strategies​. 
As link-building methods continue to evolve, staying informed and adaptable remains key to achieving SEO success. This link-building report covers the latest statistics about link building, various link-building strategies, the adoption of AI in link building, and some case studies.
Additionally, 59.4% of link-building agencies report having over five years of experience, emphasizing the role of established knowledge and long-term industry involvement in achieving effective results.
A survey by Authority Hacker revealed that most participants (618 out of 755) observed the impact of backlinks on search rankings within 1 to 6 months. Among them, the majority indicated that backlinks start influencing rankings within 1 to 3 months, emphasizing the need for strategic planning and patience in link-building efforts.
Here are further details about the time needed by the links to impact search rankings according to marketers:
This suggests that many professionals understand the value of no-follow links in creating a diverse link-building strategy. They help maintain a balanced, organic backlink profile, even if these links do not directly impact search engine rankings.
Agencies and in-house SEO teams mainly use digital PR, while independent website owners rarely adopt it. Though more expensive than methods like guest posting or HARO, digital PR delivers higher-quality backlinks, making it a powerful tool for boosting SEO performance.
Here is a table displaying the popularity of PR building among different types of link builders:
This challenge arises from the time and effort needed to acquire high-quality backlinks, which are crucial for boosting search engine rankings.
However, for highly competitive terms, over 100 authoritative backlinks are necessary. Surprisingly, some pages achieve strong rankings with just 5-10 high-quality backlinks, emphasizing that quality matters more than quantity. The key lies in acquiring links from top-tier, trusted websites that Google recognizes for their authority and relevance. This approach highlights the importance of strategic, high-quality link-building efforts. 
This highlights the limited value of paid link-building strategies. Organic, high-quality backlinks are far more effective than paid methods in delivering sustainable, long-term SEO improvements.
Acquiring high-quality backlinks helps establish trust and credibility with both search engines and users, ultimately enhancing a brand’s online reputation and visibility. These backlinks signal authority, making the brand more likely to rank higher in search results and gain recognition from its audience.
This demonstrates the growing understanding that acquiring high-quality, authoritative backlinks is more effective for SEO than simply focusing on the number of links. Quality backlinks from trusted sources are essential for improving search rankings and driving valuable traffic to a website.
Link builders with less than a year of experience typically manage to build only about 7 links per month. In contrast, those with over five years of experience are able to generate an average of 25 links per month. This significant difference highlights the role of expertise in improving link-building efficiency and the ability to secure high-quality backlinks.
Here is a table highlighting the link acquisition based on experience:
Agencies stand out with the highest proportion of experienced link builders, with 59.4% having over 5 years of experience. 
This approach focuses on producing valuable, high-quality content that naturally attracts links from other websites, reinforcing its role as a key component of an effective link-building strategy.
This practice involves swapping backlinks with other websites, which can help improve SEO rankings. However, it’s often seen as a less organic approach compared to other link-building methods that focus on earning high-quality backlinks through content and outreach.
This approach involves creating valuable content for other websites in exchange for backlinks, making it an effective way to build authority, drive traffic, and improve search engine rankings.
Interestingly, 71.3% of link builders who pay for links frequently use guest posting, compared to 46.4% of those who avoid paid links. 
Here is  a table displaying the most popular link-building tactics according to marketers:
With tools like Ahrefs and SEMRush, you can easily view the backlink profile of competitor pages. And once you know who’s linking to your competitors, you can target those same links in your own link-building campaigns.
HubSpot successfully integrated AI-driven content analysis and link-building tools to enhance its backlink profile. This shift to AI-powered strategies significantly streamlined their efforts and boosted overall productivity. 
This approach leverages the extensive reach and engagement potential of platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn to share content, attract backlinks, and build relationships with target audiences.
This average cost of a paid link excludes expenses for outreach or content creation. Authority Hacker’s survey highlights a recent rise in link prices, driven by inflation and increased demand. This reflects the growing costs of paid link-building strategies.
Experienced link builders are 49% more cost-effective per link than less experienced ones as they produce three to four times more links, making them a better investment despite earning higher salaries.
This increased productivity results in lower overall costs, proving that skilled professionals offer greater value by delivering more links at a reduced cost.
Around 34.1% spend $1,000 or less per month, while 20.3% invest between $5,000 and $10,000. Only about 7.1% of businesses allocate over $15,000 monthly.
In this section we will go through how strategic approaches to link building drive results with two standout examples. These case studies highlight Backlinko’s innovative Skyscraper Technique and Ahrefs’ creative use of a ‘Stats’ page, both showcasing the power of well-executed campaigns to secure high-quality backlinks and achieve top search rankings.
The Skyscraper Technique, created by Brian Dean of Backlinko in 2015, is one of the most popular and effective link-building strategies in SEO. This method involves identifying content that already has many backlinks, creating a superior version of it, and leveraging that improved content to acquire those backlinks and enhance search rankings.
Here are the steps for Executing the Skyscraper Technique:
Website owners prefer linking to high-quality resources and may update their links to point to better-quality content if it offers more value.
Backlinko’s application of the Skyscraper Technique led to impressive results. Out of 160 cold emails sent as part of the outreach process, 17 backlinks were successfully secured, resulting in an 11% success rate. 
While this may seem like a modest number of backlinks, the quality of these links was far more important than quantity. These backlinks came from reputable, high-authority websites, making them incredibly valuable for improving search engine rankings.
The impact on organic traffic was substantial, with a 110% increase observed within just 14 days. This rapid increase highlights the significant benefits of using this approach to improve SEO performance.
In conclusion, the Skyscraper Technique proved to be a highly effective method for acquiring valuable backlinks and improving search rankings, particularly when executed strategically with a focus on quality rather than quantity.
However, recently, Matt Diggity, a well-known SEO expert and the founder of Diggity Marketing, shared on his YouTube channel that the Skyscraper Technique may not be as effective today as it once was. According to him, link builders now face the reality that they may need to pay for backlinks from the websites they reach out to rather than relying solely on the traditional outreach method.
Source: Backlinko, Semrush.
The team at Ahrefs implemented an innovative link-building strategy using a ‘Stats’ page, resulting in a #1 ranking. This approach applied a tailored version of the Skyscraper Technique. This method was theorized to be particularly effective for statistics pages due to several factors:
Statistics pages naturally become reference points for bloggers and journalists, making them an attractive target for this approach.
The process involved several well-defined steps. They are as follows:
Outreach Campaign Results
Breakdown of Outreach Outcomes
Link Quality Metrics of the Backlinks received:
The campaign showed that adapting the Skyscraper Technique for statistics pages is a powerful way to gain high-quality backlinks. Although the total number of links was modest, the focus on quality delivered strong results. Most of the backlinks met key SEO standards, boosting search rankings and organic traffic. This highlights the importance of strategic content creation and targeted outreach for effective SEO.
Source: Ahref
Link building remains a key part of SEO strategies, but its focus has shifted to quality and innovation. 
The evolution of link-building in 2025 emphasizes quality, innovation, and ethical practices. To stay competitive, businesses must prioritize creating valuable, expert-driven content, leverage AI tools for efficiency, and focus on authentic influencer partnerships. As search engines continue to refine their algorithms, adhering to these principles will ensure sustained visibility and growth in the ever-changing digital landscape.
Here are some link-building trends you can expect in 2025:
Long-form content, particularly pieces exceeding 3,000 words, tends to generate approximately 3.5 times more backlinks than shorter articles. This statistic emphasizes the importance of creating comprehensive and highly valuable content to attract organic links.
AI tools are increasingly being adopted to streamline processes like identifying link opportunities, analyzing content quality, and automating outreach. This integration is expected to boost efficiency, allowing marketers to focus more on strategy and relationship-building.
Advanced tools are revolutionizing how marketers analyze and secure backlinks.
Partnering with industry influencers is becoming a key strategy. Influencers with authoritative websites can drive high-quality backlinks and amplify content visibility through their networks.
The shift away from paid links reflects the importance of earning backlinks organically. Search engines are prioritizing relevance and authenticity, rewarding genuine outreach and high-quality content with better rankings.
Google’s emphasis on E-E-A-T continues to grow. Content must demonstrate expertise and authority while building user trust, a trend that underscores the need for factual, well-researched, and user-centric content.
The most successful link-building agencies typically have over five years of experience, highlighting the importance of expertise and long-term commitment to mastering this field. Their seasoned approach often translates into more effective strategies and consistent results.
Most online content (94%) does not earn backlinks, making link acquisition a major challenge for businesses. Despite this, 58.1% of organizations recognize its importance for improving search rankings.
Top-ranking Google pages have 3.8 times more backlinks than lower-ranked ones, emphasizing the need for effective link-building strategies. Advanced techniques like digital PR and guest posting focus on securing high-quality links from trusted sources, which remain essential for SEO success.
Additionally, the integration of AI and social media into link-building strategies gives marketers a distinct advantage, enhancing efficiency and outreach efforts. 
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Boost your SEO efforts with an effective social media strategy. Learn how social media can enhance your online visibility and connect with your target audience.
The synergy between social media and SEO is critical in modern digital marketing.
As a seasoned SEO professional with 26 years of experience, I’ve observed how recent developments – such as the Google algorithm updates and the rise of Artificial Intelligence Optimization (AIO) – have reshaped the interplay between social media and search engine optimization.
Understanding this dynamic is essential for businesses aiming to enhance their online visibility and connect with their target audience effectively.
In this article, we’ll explore how social media can significantly boost your SEO efforts.
We’ll delve into practical examples, consider the impact of recent industry changes, and provide up-to-date references to help you navigate this complex landscape.
Historically, the connection between social media and SEO has been nuanced.
While Google has consistently stated that social signals (likes, shares, comments) are not direct ranking factors, the indirect benefits are undeniable.
The Google leak of 2024, which unveiled insights into the search giant’s algorithmic considerations, highlighted the growing importance of user engagement metrics – many of which are influenced by social media activity.
Moreover, the introduction of AIO has further intertwined social media with SEO.
AIO leverages AI to optimize content and user experiences across platforms, including social media.
With AI algorithms now better at understanding content context and user intent, the lines between social media engagement and SEO performance are blurring.
Google’s advancements in AI, particularly with the BERT and MUM algorithms, have enhanced the search engine’s ability to interpret natural language and user intent.
These developments mean that content shared on social media – especially when it generates significant engagement – can influence how search engines perceive and rank your website indirectly.
For instance, a viral social media post can lead to increased brand searches on Google, which is a positive signal to the search engine about your brand’s authority and relevance.
Additionally, AI-powered tools now analyze social media trends to inform SEO strategies, making social media an indispensable component of SEO planning.
Social media platforms serve as powerful amplifiers for your content, extending its reach beyond your website’s regular audience.
By actively sharing and promoting your content on these platforms, you tap into a vast network of potential readers, customers, and influencers who can engage with and spread your message further.
Example: Imagine you’ve published a comprehensive guide on sustainable living on your website. By sharing this guide on your social media platforms, you expose it to a broader audience who may not have found it through search engines alone. If your post gains traction – receiving shares, comments, and likes – it can drive substantial traffic to your site.
Recent Changes: With the rise of short-form video content on platforms like TikTok and Instagram Reels, sharing snippets or highlights of your content can entice users to visit your website for the full version. These platforms’ algorithms favor engaging content, increasing the likelihood of your content reaching a wider audience.
Backlinks remain a cornerstone of SEO, signaling to search engines that your content is valuable and authoritative.
Social media can be a catalyst for earning these backlinks by exposing your content to individuals and organizations that may link to it from their own websites or blogs.
Example: A tech startup publishes an insightful article about emerging technologies. By promoting this article on LinkedIn, industry professionals may notice and reference it in their own blogs or articles, creating valuable backlinks.
Recent Changes: Google has provided guidance that focusing too much on links can be a distraction from what matters most to your audience. While links are still important, engagement with your content is becoming a key metric of effectiveness. Social media is an excellent way to both encourage and measure engagement with your content. A strong social media strategy encourages the most valuable types of links: earned links based on content that resonates with your audience.
Your social media profiles are extensions of your brand and can occupy prominent positions in search engine results pages (SERPs).
Optimizing these profiles not only strengthens your online presence but also provides additional pathways for users to discover and engage with your brand.
In recent updates, Google emphasizes results from user-generated content on Reddit so being present in relevant conversations and managing your brand on social platforms is becoming more critical to your SEO strategy.
Example: When users search for your brand, your social media profiles can appear alongside your website in the search results, occupying more real estate on the SERP and increasing your brand’s visibility.
Recent Changes: With Google’s continuous updates, there is a greater emphasis on providing users with comprehensive information. Social media profiles often appear in the knowledge panel or as rich results, offering users direct access to your latest updates and engagement opportunities.
In a crowded digital marketplace, establishing trust and authority is essential.
Social media allows you to showcase your expertise, engage authentically with your audience, and build a community around your brand – all of which contribute to a stronger, more trustworthy online presence.
Example: A financial advisor regularly shares expert insights on X (Twitter), engaging with followers’ questions and discussions. This consistent presence builds credibility, encouraging users to visit their website for more in-depth information.
Recent Changes: The integration of user-generated content and reviews on social media platforms can influence public perception. Google considers brand reputation in its E-E-A-T (experience, expertise, authoritativeness, trustworthiness) criteria, and a strong social media presence contributes to this.
Social media and SEO are more interconnected than ever.
The evolution of Google’s algorithms and the advent of AI optimization have amplified the impact social media can have on your SEO efforts.
By strategically leveraging social platforms to share content, engage with your audience, and build brand authority, you indirectly boost your search engine rankings.
Remember, while social media signals may not be direct ranking factors, the ripple effects – such as increased traffic, enhanced backlink opportunities, and improved brand perception – play a significant role in your overall SEO performance.
Embrace the synergy between social media and SEO to stay ahead in this dynamic environment.
By integrating these strategies into your digital marketing plan, you’ll not only enhance your SEO efforts but also build a more robust and engaged online presence.
Stay informed about the latest developments, and don’t hesitate to adapt your approach as the digital landscape continues to evolve.
More resources:  
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Kris is the founder and former CEO of Internet marketing firm Pepperjam, which he sold to eBay Enterprises in 2009. …
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