Summer is a time for fun in the sun, but it’s also a great time to focus on your link-building strategies. The warmer months are always a time when search engines change their algorithms, so it’s important to stay up to date on the latest trends. In this blog post, we will discuss 8 link-building trends that you need to be aware of this summer to perfect your link-building strategy!
#1: Google is Prioritizing Local Search
Google has been placing more and more emphasis on local search in recent years, and that trend is likely to continue this summer. If you want your website to rank well on Google, you need to make sure you optimize your site for local search. This means including your city and state in your titles and meta descriptions, as well as creating local landing pages.
In addition, it’s important to build links from local websites. Look for directories, Chamber of Commerces, and other business organizations that are specific to your area. Getting listed on these types of sites can help improve your rankings in Google’s local search results.
#2: ‘Nofollow’ Links are Now Worth Pursuing
Although nofollow links were seen as inferior in the past, that is no longer the case. Google has stated that they do in fact count nofollow links as part of their ranking algorithm, according to Search Engine Journal. So, if you’re not pursuing nofollow links, you’re missing out on an important opportunity to improve your link profile.
Nofollow links can be harder to get than regular links, but they’re well worth the effort. Look for opportunities to guest post on high-quality websites that use the nofollow attribute. You can also try reaching out to influencers and asking them to link to your website in their blog posts or social media updates.
#3: Linkless Mentions are Gaining in Popularity
Linkless mentions are a relatively new link-building tactic, but they’re already gaining in popularity. A linkless mention is simply when your brand or website is mentioned on another website without a link. Google sees these mentions as a signal of trust and authority, which can help improve your rankings.
To get linkless mentions, you need to make sure you’re active on social media and that you’re creating high-quality content that others will want to share. You can also reach out to influencers and ask them to mention your brand in their next update. Monitoring your brand’s mentions online can be time-consuming, but it’s worth it if it means getting more exposure and improving your profile.
#4: Influencer Marketing is More Important Than Ever
Influencer marketing is nothing new, but it’s become even more important in recent years. With the rise of social media, influencers have become some of the most powerful people online. If you can get them to mention or link to your brand, it can do wonders for your exposure and search engine rankings.
There are a few different ways to go about influencer marketing. You can reach out to them directly and ask them to promote your content or product. You can also try using an influencer marketing platform like BuzzSumo or Traackr to find relevant influencers in your industry. No matter what approach you take, make sure you’re targeting high-quality influencers with a large following.
#5: Links From ‘Bad Neighborhoods’ Can Hurt Your Rankings
In the past, it was thought that any link was a good link. However, we now know that’s not the case. Google is getting better at detecting links from spammy or low-quality websites, and these links can actually hurt your rankings.
So, it’s important to be selective about the links you pursue. When evaluating a website to see if it’s worth pursuing a link from, there are a few things you should look for including the website’s PageRank, the quality of its content, and whether or not it’s been penalized by Google. If you’re not sure if a website is worth pursuing, it’s best to err on the side of caution and avoid it altogether.
#6: Cleaning Up Old Content Can Be Beneficial
If you have an old website with a lot of outdated content, it might be time for a clean-up. Google is constantly changing its algorithm, and what was once considered good practice might now be seen as low-quality or even spammy.
Cleaning up your website can be a big project, but it’s worth it if it means improving your link profile and search engine rankings. Start by deleting any old or outdated content that no longer aligns with your brand. Then, take a look at your link profile and remove any links from low-quality websites. Finally, update any remaining content to make sure it meets Google’s current standards. For additional tips on enhancing your old content’s SEO, see this guide.
#7: Creating Data-Driven Content Can Help You Earn Links
Data-driven content is one of the most effective ways to earn links and improve your search engine rankings. This type of content uses data and statistics to back up its claims, which makes it more trustworthy and credible.
If you’re not sure where to start, try using Google’s Data Studio to find interesting data sets that you can use in your content. You can also reach out to companies and ask them for access to their data. Once you have your data, you can start creating high-quality infographics, blog posts, and even videos. Another great source for data is Statista, a website that offers access to millions of statistics.
Final Thoughts
Link building is an important part of any SEO strategy, but it’s not always easy. With Google constantly changing its algorithm, it can be hard to keep up with the latest link building trends. However, by following the tips in this post, you can stay ahead of the curve and ensure that your link-building efforts are as effective as possible this summer!
For link-building assistance, reach out to our expert team at ArticleHub! We can’t wait to get to work on your next link-building campaign.
