In the digital marketing world where backlinks can make or break your search rankings, understanding the power of natural links is critical.
These are the links that Google values most—earned organically because your content is genuinely useful.
In this article, we’ll break down what a natural link is, why they’re essential, and the six best strategies to help you earn it.
From mastering natural link-building techniques to teaming up with influencers and optimizing your content’s distribution, you’ll discover actionable tips to boost your link profile and SEO performance the right way.
What is a Natural Link?
Before we can get to the nitty-gritty of building awesome links, it’s important to first fully understand what these links are.
Natural links are essentially the backbone of effective marketing, earned when one website voluntarily links to another because the content is relevant, valuable, and useful to readers.
Unlike links obtained through strategies like email outreach, a natural link is seen by Google as a genuine vote of confidence in the quality and authority of the linked content.
For example here, GrowthOG has a naturally-placed link to Sitechecker, which is good for both parties:
Despite the importance of organic links, a Moz study revealed that 75% of randomly selected articles contain no external links—a missed opportunity for businesses to build trust and authority in their industry.
Don’t be like those websites and let fantastic SEO opportunities slip through your fingers. GrowthOG specializes in helping businesses secure these highly valuable, Google-approved organic links.
By aligning with best practices, we ensure your site gains the credibility and rankings that only authentic, high-quality backlinks can provide.
The Different Types of Links
There are three kinds of links to consider while crafting your link building campaign: natural, unnatural, semi-natural, and high-quality links.
As mentioned before, a natural link is earned organically from trusted sources and contain no tracking parameters. These parameters are extra variables added to URLs that collect data when users click on the links.
They are not embedded in sponsored content but are created naturally when a website owner chooses to link to content they find interesting and informative.
Unlike unnatural links, which are paid for or designed to manipulate searches and your page’s ranking, natural links don’t redirect users through JavaScript or monetization tools.
Unnatural links are usually fairly easy to spot.
Semi-natural links—such as those shared by influencers—may include tracking parameters but still retain some credibility if they lead to genuine, relevant content.
A high-quality natural link can come from authoritative websites with well-optimized content and strong domain authority. Platforms like Wikipedia and Forbes, for example, are trusted sources because of their popularity and relevance in everyday searches.
At GrowthOG, the focus is on securing these high-quality, Google-approved backlinks. By prioritizing natural links, we help businesses enhance their performance while avoiding the risks and penalties associated with unnatural practices.
The Risks of Unnatural Links
Unnatural links, such as purchased links or spammy backlinks, are designed to manipulate PageRank or a website’s standing in Google search results but they come with significant risks.
Google’s Webmaster Guidelines explicitly warn against any link schemes or behaviors that artificially influence a site’s inbound or outbound links. Violating these guidelines can result in harsh penalties, damaging both your rankings and your credibility.
Here’s an example of what Google thinks of bad link behavior:
Common offenders include buying links from low-quality directories, overusing link exchanges, or employing black-hat SEO tactics.
Even well-meaning strategies, like excessive blog commenting or forum posting, can trigger unnatural link spikes if not carefully managed.
GrowthOG takes a safer approach with white-hat techniques that align with Google’s best practices. By focusing on ethical and sustainable link-building strategies, we ensure your website builds authority without risking penalties, helping you grow your online presence the right way.
6 Natural Link Building Strategies
Time for the meat of this article and the reason you’re here: to learn how to create an awesome backlink profile using top-notch link building strategies!
1. Invest in Paid Ads
Paid advertising can be a powerful tool to increase your website’s visibility, driving attention to your content and encouraging natural links from other sites.
Platforms like Google Ads and social media offer opportunities to strategically position your content in front of a broader audience, including those actively seeking link-worthy material.
Paid ads can propel your content to the top of search results, allowing you to bid on terms people use when searching for resources to link to.
When you promote high-quality, informative content rather than direct sales pitches, you create value that fosters engagement, organic shares, and natural backlinks.
Sponsored ads are awesome for getting clicks.
However, integrating paid ads into your link-building strategy requires more than just a budget—it demands a smart approach. Identifying the right platforms is crucial. Focus on those frequented by your target audience or industry peers.
Your ad content must be engaging and entertaining, whether through insightful information, compelling narratives, or innovative solutions.
Employ precise targeting and retargeting techniques, leveraging demographic and psychographic data to ensure your message reaches the right audience.
Also, you must always remember that paid ads are well-planned and never appear spammy or unprofessional.
When done right, and by blending creativity with strategic ad placement, businesses can use paid ads not just for visibility but as a catalyst for genuine, relevant link building opportunities.
2. Optimize Content for Google
Crafting your content for Google’s search algorithms is a fundamental step in attracting natural links. You should use relevant keywords, improve site speed, and ensure mobile-friendliness to enhance your site’s authority and appeal.
Doing this will make it more likely to be linked by other webmasters. On that note, GrowthOG specializes in refining content strategies to ensure your site performs effectively for both users and search engines, so give us a call today to find out more!
A solid strategy drives significant search traffic, increasing the visibility of your content and the likelihood of earning organic backlinks. Targeting terms likely to generate links—such as searches for data or industry research—can further boost results.
Google makes it easy for users to find related content, so targeting the right keywords is essential.
However, there’s a catch: ranking on Google can be challenging, particularly for competitive keywords, if your site lacks backlinks to begin with.
The solution? Focus on an SEO strategy that prioritizes low-competition keywords. These terms are easier to rank for and serve as a stepping stone toward more competitive targets.
Once you’ve built a solid backlink profile, you can start targeting those high-competition keywords.
3. Have Strong Distribution
An effective distribution strategy ensures your content reaches the right audience, increasing its visibility and the likelihood of earning natural links from diverse, authoritative sources.
Start by using multiple channels—social media, forums, and newsletters—and you can amplify your reach and connect with people who find your content valuable.
Social media is a key player in content distribution, so put a lot of effort into using your platforms. If you already have an established audience, sharing your blogs or articles can lead to natural backlinks.
Keep in mind that if you’re starting from scratch, building an audience on these platforms takes time, so be patient.
Online communities offer another avenue to showcase your work. Platforms like Reddit or Quora provide access to ready-made audiences interested in niche topics.
Sharing your content in the right groups can generate visibility without the need to build your own following.
For example, a law firm can benefit by offering free advice on subreddits like r/LegalAdviceUK to build a good reputation. The company can share links with users who have complex cases and need a lawyer.
Newsletters are another valuable tool for distribution. Many newsletter creators are open to publishing external content, giving you access to their established subscriber base.
By contributing high-quality content to newsletters in your niche, you can increase brand exposure and earn backlinks. When selecting newsletters, consider metrics like subscriber count and open rates to prioritize the most impactful opportunities.
Offering reciprocal value—such as featuring their signup forms in your content—can also boost your chances of collaboration.
When you’re able to diversify your distribution efforts, you will create more opportunities for your content to gain traction, driving traffic and earning organic links.
4. Create Original Content
Creating unique, high-quality content is one of the most effective ways to attract natural links. Whether it’s detailed articles, eye-catching infographics, or compelling how-to videos, original and overall great content resonates with audiences and earns recognition from other site owners.
Infographics are particularly effective, offering a visually engaging way to present data that captures attention and encourages sharing.
Similarly, long-form content, such as in-depth industry guides or ebooks, positions your brand as a go-to resource, increasing the likelihood of earning backlinks.
GrowthOG, for example, has high-quality blog content that is a treasure trove for organic link building.
How-to videos are another powerful tool, combining educational value with shareable appeal. With actionable insights or solutions, these videos not only engage viewers but also inspire other sites to link to your expertise.
The formula is simple: the more valuable content you create, the more opportunities you generate for earning natural links. Because we understand this, GrowthOG’s content creation team specializes in crafting engaging, link-worthy content tailored to elevate brand authority and visibility.
5. Guest Posting
Guest posting on reputable blogs is a powerful way to extend your reach, introduce your brand to new audiences, and earn natural backlinks.
When you’re able to contribute valuable insights and showcase your expertise, you not only gain exposure but also foster relationships with other industry leaders and webmasters.
Here’s an example of a guest post that performed well and offered opportunities for organic link building:
Pitching a guest blog post is a win-win: the host site receives fresh, great content, and you gain a high-quality backlink that drives traffic back to your site.
This mutually beneficial exchange can also open doors for future collaborations, expanding your network and strengthening your brand’s credibility.
At GrowthOG, we leverage our strong relationships with industry influencers and webmasters to place your content on trusted, high-quality platforms, ensuring maximum exposure and link-building opportunities.
6. Work with Influencers
Collaborating with influencers in your niche can be a game-changer for boosting your content’s reach and credibility. You can tap into their established audiences and secure natural backlinks as they share and promote your content.
To make this work, start by identifying influential figures and companies in your industry. Create a list, then approach them to co-create great content.
Keep an eye on their press sections and share any important updates on your blog. Make sure to inform them about your coverage—this increases the chances of them noticing and linking back.
Even big companies like Dolce&Gabanna work with influencers like Kim Kardashian to get mentions and links.
A powerful strategy to entice influencers is “ego bait”—interviews or expert roundups where they get the spotlight. Conducting interviews takes time and research, but the payoff is worth it.
Not only will you produce unique, shareable content, but the influencers involved will likely share it, generating multiple backlinks to your site. You can also get a natural link or two from their dedicated blog or website if you play your cards right.
Best Practices for Link Building
When it comes to link building, the best approach is to focus on creating high-quality, valuable content that naturally attracts backlinks.
By producing content that resonates with your audience and provides real value, you’ll naturally draw the attention of other websites and earn organic links.
Make sure to follow Google’s guidelines by using the ‘nofollow’ attribute to stay compliant with their policies. This ensures that you’re building links the right way and avoiding any penalties.
Building genuine relationships with other webmasters in your niche is another crucial strategy. Engage with them and offer consistent value, and you’ll foster connections that can lead to natural link building opportunities over time.
Over to You
Organic links are essential to a successful SEO strategy—when done right, they can elevate your website’s performance and drive sales. Grasping the nuances of link types and understanding the dangers of unnatural links is a must for long-term success.
When following best practices, measuring your results, being strategic, and even working with a reliable link building service, you can attract high-quality, organic links that drive meaningful improvements in your rankings.
Want to boost your link-building strategy? Reach out to GrowthOG for expert advice on securing natural, high-quality links that will skyrocket your SEO performance.
