The Link Building Strategies Google Doesn’t Want You to Know

Are you tired of feeling like link building is a never-ending game of cat and mouse with Google? Well, my friend, I’m about to let you in on some secrets that the search engine giant doesn’t want you to know.

I’ve been in the SEO game for over a decade, and let me tell you, the landscape has changed drastically. Gone are the days of spammy backlink strategies and shady tactics. Today, it’s all about building genuine, high-quality relationships and creating content that people actually want to link to.

Now, I know what you’re thinking – “Brendan, that sounds great and all, but how the heck do I actually make that happen?” Well, buckle up, because I’m about to take you on a wild ride through the world of link building that’ll have you rethinking everything you thought you knew.

The Dream 100: Your Ticket to Link Building Nirvana

Remember that time I tried the whole “reach out to link roundups and resource pages” thing? Yeah, let’s just say that didn’t exactly work out the way I had hoped. It was like trying to win the lottery by buying a single ticket – the odds were stacked against me from the start.

But then, I stumbled upon something called the “Dream 100” strategy, and it was like the SEO gods had finally taken pity on me. The premise is simple: instead of wasting your time chasing down every possible link opportunity, you focus your efforts on the 100 websites that are absolute dream partners for your business.

Now, I can already hear you saying, “But Brendan, how do I even figure out who those 100 dream websites are?” Well, my friend, let me break it down for you.

Identifying Your Dream 100

The first step is to think about the websites that are already crushing it in your industry. These are the ones that have the authority, the engagement, and the audience that you’d love to tap into. Start by doing a simple Google search for your niche and jotting down the top-performing sites.

But here’s the key: don’t just go for the big players. Sure, getting a link from Forbes or Entrepreneur would be amazing, but those opportunities are few and far between. Instead, focus on the mid-tier websites that are actively publishing content and engaging with their audiences. These are the ones that are more likely to be open to building a relationship with you.

Once you’ve got your initial list, it’s time to do some research. Use tools like Ahrefs or Moz to dig into the metrics and see which sites are the true authority players in your space. Look at things like domain authority, referring domains, and even social media engagement. These are the websites that are going to move the needle for your SEO efforts.

The Art of the Outreach

Alright, now that you’ve got your Dream 100 list, it’s time to start reaching out. But before you start firing off those generic “Hey, would you mind linking to my site?” emails, let me give you a little tip: forget the ask, at least for now.

The key to successful Dream 100 outreach is all about building genuine relationships. You want to position yourself as a valuable resource, not just someone begging for a link. Start by engaging with their content, sharing it on social media, and leaving thoughtful comments. Show them that you’re genuinely interested in what they’re doing.

Then, when the time is right, reach out with a personalized email that highlights how you can help them. Maybe you’ve got a piece of content that would be a perfect fit for their audience. Or maybe you can offer to guest post on their site, bringing your own engaged following with you. The key is to make it about them, not about you.

And don’t be afraid to get a little creative. Maybe you can find a way to collaborate on a project or even invite them to be a guest on your own podcast or webinar. The more you can do to forge a real connection, the more likely they are to be willing to lend you a helping hand in the form of a juicy backlink.

The Payoff: Reaping the Rewards

Now, I know what you’re thinking – all of this sounds great, but how long is it going to take to actually see results? Well, my friend, the truth is, it’s not going to happen overnight. Building these kinds of relationships takes time and effort, but the payoff is well worth it.

Just look at what happened with my friend Glen Allsopp over at Detailed.com. When he launched his new blog, he had 100 links pointing to it in just two months. And it wasn’t because he was spamming out generic outreach emails – it was because he had spent years cultivating relationships with his Dream 100 websites.

The same thing happened with Chris Guillebeau’s Side Hustle School. When he launched his new project, his Dream 100 connections came through in a big way, driving a steady stream of high-quality backlinks that helped propel his site to new heights.

And let’s not forget about my own journey. When I was just starting out, a single comment on Pat Flynn’s blog led to me being one of the first 50 guests on his podcast. That relationship has continued to pay dividends over the years, opening doors and creating opportunities that I never could have imagined.

So, my friend, are you ready to start building your own Dream 100 list and unlocking the link building secrets that Google doesn’t want you to know? Trust me, it’s a game-changer. And who knows, maybe one day, you’ll be the one sharing your own success story with the world.

MCR SEO is an SEO agency in Manchester, UK that specializes in helping businesses of all sizes achieve their online goals. Visit our website to learn more about our services and how we can help you take your digital presence to the next level.