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Outreach Monks

What are Relevant Links and How to Build Them?

What are Relevant Links and How to Build Them

Getting backlinks can be confusing, especially when they don’t seem to help your website grow. Many businesses focus on getting as many links as possible, but that’s not what really matters. The real issue is choosing the wrong type of links.

Google cares more about relevant links—links that make sense for your industry and audience. These links show that your website is trustworthy and useful. If your links don’t match your niche or provide value, they won’t help your rankings.

This article is here to help you understand everything about relevant links—what they are, why they matter, and how to build them effectively.

Let’s get started!

What Are Relevant Links?

Relevant links are backlinks from websites or pages that are related to your industry or niche. They help Google understand that your website is connected to the topics you specialize in.

For example, if you own a law firm, a link from a legal blog or a lawyer directory is considered relevant. But a link from a cooking website doesn’t make sense for your niche.

These links are important because they establish trust with the search engines and increase your ranking. They also help users find content that’s meaningful to them. Simply put, relevant links show both Google and visitors that your site belongs in your industry.

Here’s an example of a relevant link Outreach Monks received from Neil Patel. The website aligns directly with our niche, and the link placement is natural with descriptive anchor text. This is a perfect example of a relevant link.

Relevant Links

Why Are Relevant Links Important for SEO?

Relevant links are crucial to your SEO strategy. This sends clear signals from the search engine site as to the website’s niche and purpose. Though many factors go into determining the value of backlinks, three key elements will determine the actual impact of it: authority, power, and relevance.

  1. Authority: Authority is a reflection of the credibility and trust of the linking domain. For instance, a link from a very trusted site like a major news platform adds much weight to your site’s authority. This trust is passed along when such a site links to your content.
  2. Power: Power focuses on the influence of a specific page linking to your site. If a page has strong backlinks of its own, the link juice flows through to your website, boosting its SEO strength.
  3. Relevance: Relevance refers to how relevant the topic of the linking page is to your website. For instance, a link from a niche-specific site, such as a legal blog linking to a law firm, passes valuable context and makes your website more trustworthy in the eyes of Google.

Can Non-Relevant Links Still Help?

Non-relevant links aren’t entirely useless. High-authority and high-power links, even without relevance, can still improve your rankings. But relevance adds an extra layer of value. If you’re deciding between two links, always prioritize the one that aligns with your niche.

Why You Need Relevant Links:

  • They guide Google on how to rank your content for the right keywords.
  • They show search engines that your website is connected to a specific topic or industry.
  • They drive the right kind of traffic, increasing engagement and conversions.

Having a few non-relevant links isn’t a problem, but relying on them too much can hurt your SEO. Google may penalize websites with many unrelated or low-quality backlinks. To stay competitive, focus on niche relevant backlinks that reinforce your website’s value and authority.

Here’s an example of a backlink that isn’t directly related to our niche but still benefits our website. The link comes from a high-authority HR management app website. While not niche-specific, it adds value to our backlink profile because it’s natural, fits within the content, and comes from a trusted source.

Not that much relevant link but valuable

What Does Google Say About Relevant Links?

Google uses links to understand how web pages are connected and to discover new pages to rank. Relevant links are especially important because they help Google see the connection between your website and its niche.

Why Relevant Links Are Important:

  • Guiding Google’s Crawlers: Relevant links help Google understand your site’s focus and ensure it gets indexed correctly.
  • Clear Context: Links from sites related to your industry show Google that your content matches certain topics or keywords.
  • Building Trust: Getting links from reliable, niche-related sites tells Google your website is credible and useful for readers.

What Google Avoids:

  • Irrelevant Links: Links from unrelated sites confuse Google and don’t help your rankings.
  • Poor-Quality Links: Links from spammy or low-quality sites can harm your SEO and reputation.

In 2016, Andrey Lipattsev, a Search Quality Senior Strategist at Google, confirmed that the top three ranking factors are content, links, and RankBrain, with links and content being equally crucial for rankings.

How to Identify a Relevant Link?

In this section, we’ll show you how to check if a backlink is truly relevant to your website:

1) Industry Match

A relevant backlink should come from a website in the same field or one related to your industry. For example, if you manage a real estate website, links from property blogs or home improvement sites are helpful. A link from a gaming blog, however, wouldn’t be as useful.

How to Check:

  • Review the Content: Check if the linking site covers similar topics.
  • Understand the Audience: Are their readers the kind of visitors you want?
  • Check the Authority of the Domain: Make sure the website is credible in your industry.

Niche relevant backlinks strengthen your rankings and help bring in the right visitors to your website.

Industry specific relevant links

2) Relevant Anchor Text

Anchor text is the clickable text in a hyperlink. For backlinks to be of any use to your SEO, the anchor text should reflect your content and keywords. For instance, if your website is on “fitness coaching,” using “fitness tips” as anchor text helps, while terms such as “click here” or completely irrelevant terms do not add any value.

How to Check:

  • Is it Relevant? Does the anchor text match your page’s topic?
  • Keyword Use: Does the anchor text naturally include related keywords, like “relevant backlinks” or “niche links”?

Clear and relevant anchor text, along with meaningful context, helps search engines trust your page and improves your rankings.

Anchor text for relevant backlinks

3) Context of the Link

The context of a backlink describes where and how it occurs on the page. It depends on search engines to consider the surrounding text or topic in which the link appears so as to decide its relevance. A link in meaningful, related content is more valuable than one placed randomly.

How to Check Context:

  • Look at Surrounding Content: Does the nearby text relate to your website?
  • Placement on the Page: Links in the main content are more valuable than those in sidebars or footers.
  • Relevant Keywords: Are there keywords near the link that match your niche?

A well-placed backlink in relevant content helps search engines trust your website and improves your rankings. Always focus on links with strong, meaningful context.

Context of the Link

4) Niche-Specific Content

Backlinks from content that focuses on your industry are highly valuable. These links show search engines that your website is part of a specific niche, helping you rank better for related topics.

How to Spot Niche-Specific Content:

  • Topic Alignment: Does the page directly discuss topics in your field? 
  • Audience Fit: Are the visitors of the linking site likely to be interested in your services or products?
  • Content Quality: Is the page well-written and informative? Low-quality content, even in your niche, won’t help as much.

Niche-Specific Content 1

(1)

Niche-Specific Content 2

(2)

5) Website Quality and Engagement

The value of a backlink goes up if it’s coming from a website that has quality content and active users. This means high-quality sites will give Google a hint that your link is coming from a reliable source.

Website Quality and Engagement 1

How to Check Website Quality and Engagement:

  • Content Relevance: Make sure the site publishes content that aligns with your industry.
  • Active Audience: Look for user interaction, like comments, shares, or regular updates. This shows the site has an engaged and real audience.
  • Professional Design: A well-structured and easy-to-navigate website indicates credibility.

Website Quality and Engagement 2

Backlinks from credible and engaging websites not only help your SEO but also attract visitors genuinely interested in your content or services.

6) Local Relevance (If Applicable)

Local backlinks can be a powerful tool if your business focuses on a specific area. These links help search engines understand that your website is connected to your community, improving your local search visibility.

How to Identify Local Relevance:

  • Local Business Directories: Links from trusted directories in your area, like Yelp or local listings, show your community presence.
  • Community Websites: Backlinks from local schools, events, or news outlets add credibility.
  • Location Mentions: Ensure the linking site mentions your city or region.

These backlinks not only improve rankings in local searches but also attract nearby customers, boosting foot traffic and inquiries.

How to Build Relevant Backlinks for Your Website?

In this section, we’ll explore practical steps to help you create high-quality, relevant backlinks that boost your SEO and attract the right audience.

1. Review Your Backlink Profile

Before building relevant backlinks, it’s essential to understand your current backlink profile. This helps you identify which links are valuable and where you need improvement.

Step 1: Use Google Search Console

Google Search Console is a free tool that shows you the websites linking to your site.

  • Log in to Google Search Console and go to the Links section.
  • Look at the sites linking to you and the pages they link to.
  • Check if these links are niche relevant backlinks and align with your website’s focus.

What’s Good:

  • Free to use and provides data directly from Google.

Limitations:

  • It doesn’t show backlinks from other search engines like Bing.
  • Doesn’t rate the quality of links.

Review Your Backlink Profile using google search console, first step to build relevant links

Step 2: Use Ahrefs for More Details

Ahrefs is a paid tool that gives deeper insights into your backlinks.

  • Log in to Ahrefs and go to the Backlinks tab.
  • Sort links by Domain Rating (DR), anchor text, or traffic.
  • Use filters to find links with relevant keywords related to your niche.

Tips for Better Analysis:

  • Look for links from websites with high traffic in your industry.
  • Avoid links with irrelevant or spammy anchor text.

Review Your Backlink Profile using Ahrefs, first step to build relevant links

What to Focus On:

  • Relevance: Ensure the linking sites match your industry or niche.
  • Anchor Text: Links should use natural and descriptive anchor text.
  • Quality: Prioritize high-quality links over a large number of low-value ones.

Regularly reviewing your backlink profile keeps your strategy focused on building niche related backlinks that improve your rankings and attract the right audience.

2. Find Opportunities for Relevant Backlinks

After reviewing your backlink profile, the next step is to find websites that can provide relevant backlinks. Here are some practical and easy ways to do this:

1. Use Google Search Operators

Google search operators are simple tricks to find niche-related websites quickly.

  • intitle:[keyword] – Finds pages with your keyword in the title.
  • intext:[keyword] – Finds pages with your keyword in the text.
  • site:[website] [keyword] – Searches for a keyword within a specific website.

For instance, searching intitle:“link building” can show you blogs focused on fitness.

Find Opportunities for Relevant Backlinks

2. Use Ahrefs Content Explorer

This tool helps you find websites publishing content related to your niche.

  • Open Content Explorer in Ahrefs.
  • Enter a relevant keyword for your industry.
  • Filter results by authority (Domain Rating) to focus on high-quality sites.
  • Export the list for outreach.

Find Opportunities for Relevant Backlinks 2

 3. Analyze Competitor Backlinks

Check the websites linking to your competitors. These can be potential opportunities for you.

  • Use Ahrefs’ Keywords Explorer to search for your target keyword.
  • Identify the pages with the most backlinks.
  • Note the domains linking to them and prioritize the most relevant ones.

Find Opportunities for Relevant Backlinks 3

4. Use Ahrefs Link Intersect Tool

This tool shows websites that link to your competitors but not to you.

  • Go to Link Intersect in Ahrefs.
  • Enter competitor domains.
  • Add your site under “but doesn’t link to.”
  • Review the list and start outreach for links.

Find Opportunities for Relevant Backlinks 4

By following these steps, you can find valuable opportunities to build relevant backlinks that improve your rankings and attract the right traffic.

3. Create Content That Attracts Links

To earn relevant backlinks, your content should provide value and be worth sharing. Websites will link to you if your content is helpful, informative, and engaging.

Start by solving real problems. Write about topics that answer common questions in your niche. For example, if you run a fitness blog, a post like “10 Quick Workouts for Busy People” can grab attention and naturally encourage links.

Add data or unique insights. Sharing stats, case studies, or original research makes your content reliable. Websites are more likely to link to credible resources.

Make your content a linkable asset. Evergreen topics, like “How to Start SEO for Beginners,” stay relevant and keep attracting links over time.

Visual elements help, too. Include infographics or videos to make your content easier to share. When people use your visuals, they’re likely to link back to your site.

4. Perform Targeted Outreach

After identifying potential websites, the next step is reaching out to them. Outreach involves asking website owners or editors to link to your content.

Many people fail here because they send generic emails. Most website owners ignore these messages because they receive so many. Instead, take a personal approach.

Here’s how you can do it:

  • Research First: Learn about the website and its audience. This helps you make your pitch more relevant.
  • Write Personal Emails: Address the person by name and mention something specific about their site. Avoid copy-pasting the same message everywhere.
  • Show Value: Explain why your content is worth linking to and how it benefits their readers. Offer something in return, like a guest post.
  • Follow Up Politely: If you don’t hear back, send a friendly follow-up after a few days. Keep it short and polite.

Perform Targeted Outreach

Effective outreach takes time but builds relationships and earns relevant backlinks that truly help your website grow.

5. Monitor and Adjust

Building relevant backlinks is just the first step. Regularly reviewing and refining your approach ensures lasting results.

Steps to Monitor:

  • Use tools like Google Search Console or Ahrefs to track backlinks and their quality.
  • Check if the links match your niche and add value to your site.
  • Monitor metrics like traffic and keyword rankings from linked pages.

How to Adjust:

  • Replace low-quality or irrelevant links with better ones.
  • Focus on strategies that deliver the most niche backlinks.
  • Keep your link profile diverse to avoid over-reliance on one method.

Ongoing monitoring helps maintain a strong and effective link profile.

Top Link-Building Strategies to Get Relevant Links

Building relevant links requires the right strategies. Here are some practical ways to get started:

Top Link-Building Strategies to Get Relevant Links

1) Guest Posting

Guest posting means writing articles for websites in your industry and adding a link back to your site. This helps you gain relevant backlinks while providing value to the host site.

How to Start:

  1. Find Relevant Websites: Search for sites in your niche accepting guest posts. For example, try searching “write for us [your topic].”
  2. Pitch a Topic: Contact the site owner with a topic idea that fits their audience.
  3. Write Quality Content: Create an article that provides value and includes your backlink naturally.
  4. Submit and Follow Up: Send your post and follow up if needed.

At Outreach Monks, we contributed a guest post to Pitchbox about improving link-building strategies. The backlink from their platform boosted our visibility and brought in targeted traffic.

2) Niche Edits

Niche edits involve placing your link into existing content on relevant websites. This method helps you gain backlinks without creating new articles.

How It Works:

  • Find Relevant Content: Look for blog posts or articles in your industry where your link would fit naturally.
  • Reach Out: Contact site owners to request adding your link.
  • Add Value: Ensure the link complements the content and benefits the readers.

Why Use Niche Edits:

  • They provide quick results by leveraging existing content.
  • Links are placed in articles that are already performing well.
  • They are cost-effective and targeted.

3) Broken Link Building

Broken link building is a simple way to earn relevant backlinks by helping website owners fix their broken links.

How to Do It:

  1. Find Broken Links: Use tools like Ahrefs or SEMrush to find links on relevant websites that point to missing or deleted pages.
  2. Provide a Solution: If you already have content that fits the topic of the broken link, suggest it. If not, create new content that matches the original topic.
  3. Reach Out: Contact the site owner. Politely let them know about the broken link and suggest your content as a helpful replacement.

Why It Works:

  • It helps website owners improve their user experience.
  • You earn high-quality backlinks from niche-related websites.

This approach benefits both parties, making it a practical and effective link-building strategy.

What’s the Difference Between Link Relevance and Authority?

Understanding link relevance and link authority can help you build better backlinks. Both are important for SEO but work in different ways. Here’s a simple breakdown:

Link Relevance

A link is relevant if it comes from a website or page closely related to your industry or topic. Relevance tells search engines what your site is about. It helps Google rank your content for the right keywords. For example, if you have a fitness blog, a link from a health website is relevant.

Link Authority

Authority is about how trustworthy and credible the linking website is. It’s often measured by metrics like Domain Authority (DA). Links from trusted, high-authority sites carry more weight and improve your site’s overall SEO. For example, a link from a major site like CNN adds authority, even if it’s not directly related to your topic.

What Should You Focus On?

Both are important, but the best links combine relevance and authority. Relevant links improve niche-specific rankings. Authoritative links build trust and boost your site’s overall credibility.

Get Help with Building Relevant Links

At Outreach Monks, we focus on building high-quality relevant links that match your business needs. We start by understanding your industry, services, and goals to create links that genuinely help your website grow. Our clients trust us because we deliver results that matter. Many of them return for our reliable and effective link-building services.

Let’s Build Relevant Links Together!

👉 Reach Out to Us Today! 

Conclusion

When your backlinks come from websites that share your audience or niche, they tell a story about your expertise and trustworthiness.

Instead of chasing shortcuts, focus on strategies that bring real value—like collaborating with niche websites, fixing broken links, or creating content people genuinely want to share. These efforts take time, but they help build a strong foundation for your online presence.

Remember, each relevant link is a step towards connecting with the right audience and standing out in your industry.

FAQs About Relevant Links

How Do I Know If A Website Is Good For Building Relevant Backlinks?

Look for websites with quality content, an engaged audience, and a focus on your industry or niche. Check the site's authority using tools like Ahrefs or Moz and ensure the content matches the topic of your website.

Can I Build Relevant Links For A New Website?

Yes, but it takes effort. Start by creating valuable content, collaborating with niche blogs, and using strategies like guest posting or fixing broken links to slowly build your backlink profile.

What Happens If I Have Too Many Non-Relevant Links?

A few non-relevant links won’t harm your site, but if your profile is filled with low-quality or unrelated links, it might confuse search engines and lower your rankings. Focus on removing or disavowing spammy links and prioritize building niche-relevant backlinks.

Are Paid Links Considered Relevant?

Paid links can be relevant if they come from authoritative websites in your niche.

Can I Build Relevant Links Without Creating New Content?

Yes, strategies like fixing broken links, updating old content on other sites, and leveraging existing guest posts can help. However, fresh and valuable content always adds more opportunities for link building.

Are All Links From High-Authority Sites Automatically Relevant?

Not always. A high-authority link is valuable, but if it doesn’t match your niche or context, its impact may be limited. The best links combine authority with relevance.

Should I Remove Old Links That Are No Longer Relevant?

Yes, if the links are low-quality or from spammy sites, it’s a good idea to disavow them using Google Search Console. However, if the links are still relevant or neutral, they can stay.

Ekta Chauhan

Ekta Chauhan

Ekta is a seasoned link builder at Outreach Monks. She uses her digital marketing expertise to deliver great results. Specializing in the SaaS niche, she excels at crafting and executing effective link-building strategies. Ekta also shares her insights by writing engaging and informative articles regularly. On the personal side, despite her calm and quiet nature, don't be fooled—Ekta's creativity means she’s probably plotting to take over the world. When she's not working, she enjoys exploring new hobbies, from painting to trying out new recipes in her kitchen.

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