Building backlinks is one of the best ways to improve your website’s SEO, but paying for links isn’t always an option, especially for small businesses or new websites.

The good news? You don’t need a big budget to get great backlinks. There are plenty of simple and free ways to boost your site’s authority and rank higher in search engines.

In this article, we’ll share 24+ easy tactics to earn free backlinks—no confusing steps, just practical strategies anyone can use to grow their online presence. 

Let’s get started!

1) Publish Original Research or Case Studies

Original research and case studies can easily attract backlinks. People often link to content that offers unique data or solves specific problems.

Begin with your own data, a survey, or a case study from the real world. For example, you may have helped some client double his traffic; you can write a case study explaining how you did it step by step. Why it Works:

• People trust content backed by data or real results.
• Unique insights make your site a go-to resource in your niche.

Backlinko creates original research that’s highly useful, attracting free backlinks from top websites that cite their studies.

2) Create Engaging Infographics

Infographics are one of the effective ways to get backlinks. The data will look attractive in a graphical sense that makes the information possible to understand and shareable.

Start with a relevant topic to speak to your audience, perhaps from industry trends, insights gathered from data, or simple how-to guides. Then utilize free design tools such as Canva or Piktochart for clean and professional graphics. Keep it really simple and use some combination of charts and icons that will add a level of visual depth to the message; avoid filling up viewers with too much text.

Once your infographic is ready, share it widely. Post it on your website and social media platforms, and even submit it to infographic directories like Visual.ly. When others find your infographic useful, they’re more likely to share it on their platforms and link back to your site.

3) Offer Guest Posts

Guest posting sometimes costs, mainly when the site you wish to target charges a fee for publishing. Still, free guest post opportunities exist, if approached the right way.

How to Land Free Guest Posts

1. Offer High-Quality Content: Blogs value unique, well-researched articles that provide real value to their readers. Show examples of your best work to prove you can deliver.
2. Get Creative with Outreach: Personalize your outreach emails and stand out. Avoid using generic pitches, be engaging, do your homework, and add some personality. A little bit of humor or a creative subject line does wonders.
3. Focus on the Right Blogs: Target blogs which are close to your niche and whose readers are quite active. Never fail to check whether the website is authentic or worthy of your effort.

Sometimes, even without explicitly aiming for free opportunities, a well-crafted pitch and excellent content can earn you a free guest post. Use our list of free guest posting sites to get started!

4) Pitch for Broken Link Building

Broken link building involves finding non-working links on other websites and suggesting your content as a replacement. It’s a straightforward way to earn backlinks while helping website owners improve their sites.

To get started, use tools like Ahrefs or Broken Link Checker to identify broken links on relevant websites in your niche. Once you’ve found one, contact the site owner and politely point out the broken link. Offer your content as a replacement, explaining how it fits their page and adds value.

This method works because website owners want to fix broken links to maintain their SEO and user experience. By providing a solution, you build goodwill and gain a high-quality backlink in return.

5) Claim Unlinked Mentions

If people are discussing your business or website already but don’t link it, that’s free backlinks being missed. A simple and easy tactic to have unlinked mentions turned into backlinks is claiming them.

First, you can use tools like BuzzSumo or Google Alerts to search for mentions of your brand or website. If you do not want to spend money, you can search for mentions yourself by Googling your business name and using search operators to filter out results from your website or social media pages.

For example:

• Search for your brand name followed by -site:yourdomain.com to exclude your own site.

• Refine results by excluding major platforms like Facebook or Twitter if they’re not relevant.

When you find an article mentioning your brand without a link, reach out to the site owner. Politely thank them for mentioning your business and ask if they’d consider adding a link to make it more helpful for their readers.

Why It Works

• People are already aware of your brand, so it’s not a cold pitch.
• It’s a win-win situation, as adding the link improves their content and boosts your SEO.

6) Answer Relevant Questions on Quora

Quora is a great platform to build free backlinks by answering questions related to your expertise. It lets you share knowledge while subtly promoting your content.

Start by identifying questions related to your niche or industry. Use Quora’s search bar to find topics where your knowledge can add value. Look for questions with high engagement, such as those with many followers or views, to maximize your reach.

When answering, provide detailed and helpful responses. Include a link to your website, blog, or resource if it genuinely adds value to your answer. For example, if someone asks for tips on improving website traffic, you can briefly answer the question and link to a blog post offering more insights.

7) Contribute to High-Quality Forums

Forums are online communities where people discuss specific topics, and they can be a great place to share your expertise and earn free backlinks. These forums allow you to share insights, answer questions, and link to your content where it genuinely adds value. How to Get Started:

• Find Relevant Forums: Use tools like FindAForum or search for active communities in your industry.
• Create a Profile: Add your website or business details to your profile.
• Engage in Discussions: Contribute to threads with helpful advice. Link to your content only when it adds value to the conversation.
• Focus on Value: Share well-thought-out answers and resources that benefit readers.

8) Add Value to Wikipedia

Wikipedia is a trusted resource where users can edit and create entries, often citing credible sources. Adding value to Wikipedia pages by contributing accurate and relevant information can be a way to earn free backlinks for your content. How to Add Links on Wikipedia:

1. Find Relevant Pages: Search for topics related to your niche where you have expert knowledge or published resources.
2. Look for Gaps or Broken Links: Some Wikipedia pages might have incomplete sections or “citation needed” tags, where your content can fit. Some articles with incomplete information often display the {{Incomplete list}} template. To find these: Visit Category:Incomplete lists to see articles marked as incomplete.
3. Contribute Valuable Content: Edit the page by adding accurate information or replacing broken links with your content as a credible source. Ensure the information aligns with Wikipedia’s guidelines.

Important Notes

• Wikipedia is strict about self-promotion. Always ensure your additions genuinely enhance the page.
• Links on Wikipedia are nofollow, meaning they won’t directly boost your SEO rankings. However, they can drive referral traffic and enhance credibility.

Focus on creating high-quality content first. This increases the chances of your links being accepted as legitimate references by Wikipedia moderators.

9) Publish Trend-Focused Content

When your content covers something new or popular in your industry, other websites are more likely to link to it. They want to share the latest and most useful information with their readers, and your content can become their go-to source.

Start by keeping an eye on what’s trending in your field using tools like Google Trends or BuzzSumo. For example, if there’s a big change in your industry or a topic everyone is talking about, write a blog, create an infographic, or make a video explaining it. Being one of the first to publish something useful about a trend helps you attract more attention and links.

10) Submit Your Site to High-Quality Directories

Directories act as online catalogs where businesses can showcase their services, making it easier for potential customers to find you. But it’s important to choose directories that are relevant to your business and have real value. Steps to Follow:

1. Start with Well-Known Directories: Add your site to popular platforms like Google My Business, Yelp, or Bing Places. These directories are essential for local businesses and improving search visibility.
2. Find Industry-Specific Directories: Look for directories that focus on your niche. For example:
   • Tech companies: Crunchbase or Capterra
   • Creative professionals: Behance or Dribbble
   • Local services: Angie’s List or Chamber of Commerce
3. Provide Complete Information: Include your name, address, phone number, website, and business details. Adding photos and a short, clear description of your business makes your listing more appealing.
4. Keep Track of Submissions: Use a Google Sheet or a simple notepad to note where you’ve submitted your site. This will help you keep everything organized and update listings when needed.

Focus on directories with real traffic and good authority. Avoid spammy sites that could harm your SEO.

11) Collaborate on Round-Up Posts

Round-up posts are curated collections of top-quality content on a specific topic, shared by bloggers or niche enthusiasts. These can include articles, blogs, or podcasts and are usually published daily, weekly, or monthly. For website owners, round-up posts are an excellent way to gain free backlinks and build relationships within your industry.

To find relevant round-up posts, start by using Google search operators like “your topic” + “monthly roundup.” Replace “your topic” with keywords relevant to your niche, such as “SEO tips” or “fitness trends.” Filtering results to show recent posts (within the last 1–3 months) will help you find active blogs and opportunities.

Once you identify a suitable round-up, pitch your content to the creator. Highlight how your article adds value to their collection, ensuring it aligns with their audience’s interests. Always verify that the round-up includes trusted and ethical links to maintain your site’s credibility.

12) Host Free Webinars or Events

Hosting free webinars or events is a practical way to earn free backlinks while offering something valuable to your audience.

To get started, choose a topic that your audience finds useful. For example, if you run an SEO agency, you could host a webinar on “Simple SEO Tips to Boost Your Rankings.” Pick something that’s relevant and easy to understand.

Create a dedicated page for your event with all the details, like the date, time, and how to register. Share this page through emails, social media, or forums to attract participants. The page itself can generate backlinks if people find it valuable enough to share.

During the event, provide free resources like checklists or templates that attendees can use. After the webinar, upload the recording to your website or YouTube. This not only keeps the event content alive but also gives others a reason to link back to your website.

13) Repurpose Existing Content

You don’t need to create new content just to get backlinks. Sometimes, reusing old content saves time and yet contributes.

For example, you take a long, detailed blog post and transform it into an infographic, video, or even a podcast. A nice infographic could bring you good quality free backlinks from blogs and social media as well. A long, detailed blog post can become a video tutorial you’ll upload to YouTube and may bring new chances for obtaining backlinks.

Identify content that has performed well in the past. This could be a popular blog post, a case study, or a presentation. Update it with fresh insights or a new format, and share it on different platforms.

14) Contribute Testimonials

When you have written a review of the product or service that you have used, many companies will show it on their website with a link to yours. That makes your relationship with the brand much stronger and gives you a free link.

Reach out to companies whose products or services you genuinely use. Offer a short, specific testimonial that highlights the benefits you’ve experienced. For example, “Using this tool saved us 10 hours a week and simplified our workflow.”

Target brands within your niche or industry to ensure the backlink adds SEO relevance and value to your website.

15) Reach Out for Resource Page Links

Resource pages are curated lists of valuable tools, guides, or articles on a specific topic. Many websites use them to help their audience find trusted resources. If your content fits their topic, you can ask to be included in their list.

Start by creating content that adds real value, such as a detailed guide, an actionable checklist, or a list of helpful tools. For example, a post like “Top 50 Free SEO Tools to Improve Rankings” can attract interest from resource page owners.

Search for relevant resource pages using Google search operators like:

• “keyword + resources”
• “inurl:resources + your niche”

Once you find a suitable page, contact the owner with a polite email explaining how your content can complement their list. Make sure your pitch is personalized and highlights the value of your content. Focus on resource pages within your industry to ensure the link is relevant and boosts your site’s authority.

16) Promote Content on Reddit

Reddit has niche communities where their users actually discuss niche topics. It’s really the best place to share content while gaining free backlinks with the right strategy.

To begin, find which subreddits are the most relevant to your topic. For example, as a digital marketer, consider communities like r/SEO or r/DigitalMarketing. Before posting, participate in the community for at least a little while just to get a feel for rules and preferences.

When you share your content, make sure it provides value. For example, instead of just dropping a link, explain why the content is helpful. Add a brief summary, highlight key points, or share how it solves a problem. Reddit users appreciate genuine contributions and are quick to spot and flag promotional spam.

Avoid overly promotional behavior. Focus on helping the community first, and only share links when they genuinely fit the discussion. This builds trust and credibility.

17) Participate in Online Competitions or Giveaways

You can participate in online contests or giveaways, which can feature you on event sites or blogs; this is a quality backlink. Find events that are appropriate for your niche and participate appropriately, such as offering a product, service, or valuable resource.

For example, if you run a fitness business, participating in a health-related competition or sponsoring a giveaway can result in your business being highlighted on the event page. This not only earns backlinks but also introduces your brand to a wider audience.

Focus on competitions hosted by reputable websites with strong authority. This ensures the backlinks you earn are credible and beneficial for your SEO efforts.

18) Co-Create Content with Partners

Working with industry partners allows you to create valuable content that combines expertise and reaches wider audiences. Whether it’s a guide, webinar, or blog post, this strategy not only adds depth to the content but also opens doors to sharing backlinks and traffic between both parties. For instance, a fitness coach and a nutritionist could team up to create a comprehensive health plan, showcasing their combined knowledge.

Select partners who share your audience and values. A well-aligned collaboration ensures better engagement and meaningful backlinks.

19) Submit Press Releases to Free PR Sites

Sharing updates through press releases on free pr sites can help spread the word about your business while earning valuable backlinks. How to use press releases effectively:

• Choose Reputable Platforms: Sites like PRLog and PR.com allow you to share news and gain visibility.
• Add Relevant Links: Link to your website or a specific page that relates to the announcement.
• Focus on Newsworthy Topics: Share updates like product launches, awards, or collaborations to make the content engaging.

Keep your press release concise and informative. Avoid unnecessary jargon and focus on delivering value to readers.

The global PR market is now valued at over $97 billion.

20) Leverage Social Media Platforms

Social media is a simple way to share your content and reach more people. Platforms like Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Reddit, and Facebook Groups let you post your work in different ways that fit each audience. For example, use LinkedIn to share professional tips or Twitter for quick updates and links.

Even though most social media links are no-follow, they can still add variety to your link profile and bring valuable traffic to your website. The key is to share content that helps your audience. Post naturally and avoid being overly promotional. Instead, focus on starting conversations or sharing useful information that others will want to share, too.

Always engage with your audience by replying to comments and sharing insights. It not only builds trust but also improves the chances of earning free backlinks for SEO as your content gains traction.

21) Host an AMA (Ask Me Anything)

Hosting an AMA (Ask Me Anything) lets you connect with your audience directly by answering their questions in real time. Platforms like Reddit, LinkedIn, or Twitter are ideal for these sessions. 

It’s an excellent opportunity to share your expertise while building backlinks naturally. When your AMA provides valuable insights, people are more likely to reference and link to it in their content. How to host an effective AMA::

• Choose the Right Platform: Use Reddit for broader topics or LinkedIn for industry-specific discussions.
• Promote in Advance: Announce your AMA a few days before and encourage your audience to participate.
• Provide Thoughtful Answers: Focus on delivering detailed and helpful responses to build credibility and attract more links.

22) Promote Content on SlideShare or Scribd

SlideShare and Scribd are great platforms to share your content in formats like presentations, PDFs, or documents. These platforms are widely used by professionals and learners, making them a powerful way to expand your reach and gain free SEO backlinks. How to get started:

• Transform Your Content: Take your blogs, guides, or reports and convert them into simple, visually appealing presentations or documents.
• Add Backlinks Smartly: Include links to your website in the description or within the content itself. This way, readers can easily visit your site.
• Focus on Keywords: Use relevant keywords in your titles and descriptions to increase visibility on these platforms.

23) Find Relevant Edu Backlinks

Backlinks from .edu websites carry strong authority and can help improve your search rankings. Educational sites are highly trusted, so links from them give your website extra credibility. How to get Edu backlinks:

• Create Helpful Resources: Develop guides, tutorials, or tools that would benefit students, teachers, or researchers. Share these with relevant departments or educators.
• Scholarship Pages: Offer a scholarship, even a small one, and request to be listed on the university’s financial aid page.
• Collaborate with Faculty: Share insights or data with professors or researchers to support their projects, which might get you featured in their online publications or resources.
• Career Centers and Alumni Pages: If your business aligns with career development or offers resources for students and alumni, ask to be added to their directory or resource pages.

Use tools like Ahrefs or Google Search to find universities with pages listing external resources. Tailor your outreach to show how your content adds value to their audience.

24) Provide Free Plugins or Widgets

Creating free plugins or widgets for your audience can help you generate backlinks while offering value to users. These tools solve specific problems or add functionality to websites, making them highly shareable and link-worthy. For example, a plugin that helps optimize images for SEO or a widget showing weather updates can attract downloads and links from related websites.

Ensure your tool includes a link back to your site, usually in the footer or settings. This way, every installation becomes a backlink opportunity. Promote your plugin or widget on relevant directories and forums to maximize reach.

Keep the tool simple and user-friendly. A practical and easy-to-use plugin is more likely to gain traction and backlinks.

Conclusion

Building free backlinks is not just about saving costs—it’s about being creative, resourceful, and consistent. The opportunities are endless if you’re willing to put in the effort.

Remember, link building is a long-term game. Focus on creating value for your audience, and the backlinks will follow naturally. 

Keep experimenting, stay consistent, and don’t hesitate to explore new tactics that align with your niche.

Start today—because every link matters!

FAQs on Free Backlinks