In SEO terms, editorial links are considered the pinnacle of backlinks, the most valuable and difficult type of link to achieve. Google highly values this type of link for its relevance, naturalness, and authority.
So, how do you get editorial links to your website? And how will these links support your SEO strategy? Let’s learn more about editorial links with Jeenam, and we will reveal the secret to help you own this “golden magnet” of links!
What are Editorial Links?
Editorial links are backlinks that are found on other websites because the content you provide is useful and authoritative. Unlike paid or sponsored links, editorial links occur naturally. Simply put, they are the most natural type of link because the website owner finds your content valuable and links to it.
Editorial links are considered the most “valuable” type of link, and you will often see them on news sites, industry magazines, or respected blogs. For example, a tech journalist might link to your original research because it provides important information for their article.
So editorial links are earned, not built. They are authentic, high-value links that both SEO experts and Google love.
Acquired Links vs. Editorial Links
The answer is how you get it. An acquired link is a link you actively build or request through outreach, while an editorial link is earned organically.
For example, an acquired link is typically earned through a number of methods, including:
- Niche editing: You get in touch with the proprietor of a website and request that they provide a link to your material.
- Guest posting: You provide a blog post for another website that includes a backlink to your content.
- Broken link building: Broken link building is the process of replacing broken links on other websites with your own.
These methods are called “link building” and are often paid or involve advertising.
Meanwhile, editorial links are added because your content is valuable without having to ask. Editorial links are natural links that require no effort or money to establish. These types of links are considered more white hat and are viewed by Google as a real vote of confidence in your content.
Key Benefits of Editorial Links
Increasing traffic and visibility for your website can be achieved through link building. Editorial links, in particular, will provide greater benefits than regular links.
Secure Placement in Top-Tier Publications
The first benefit is access to high authority links. Top sites like The New York Times, BBC, Wall Street Journal, etc., often have very strict editorial policies, with virtually no guest posts or paid links accepted. The only way to get links from these sites is through editorial links. And getting an editorial link from a respected publication is a huge SEO win. Editorial links from these sites will carry significant ranking power.
Minimize the Risk of Google Algorithm Penalties
Editorial links also help you avoid Google penalties as much as possible because they are considered safe, white hat links. Currently, Google’s algorithm is constantly updated to detect spam or manipulative link schemes.
Techniques such as buying low-quality links, excessive guest posting, link farms, or PBNs can cause penalties. On the contrary, editorial links are natural, contextually relevant, and high-authority links. Therefore, editorial links are considered by Google as a healthy link profile.
Increase Visibility and Brand Recognition
Another great benefit of editorial links is the branding potential. When a trusted publication links to you, readers of that channel will see you alongside the publisher’s name, instantly building credibility. Being featured on respected publications’ pages acts as a “stamp of approval” for the value and credibility of your content.
Additionally, these trusted publications often have large audiences, so a single editorial mention can introduce your brand to thousands or millions of new readers.
Use a Scalable Strategy for Link Acquisition
Lastly, the scalability of editorial links is one of their biggest advantages. It may sound surprising, but a well-placed editorial link can help you generate tons of high-quality editorial backlinks. For example, when a data report of yours is linked to by a trusted publication, it serves as a validation of the value of that content. Journalists and bloggers can then find that content and link to it over time. So, editorial links are seen as a great natural link magnet.
How to Get Editorial Links?
With the above great benefits, editorial links are always the goal of many SEO groups and businesses. So, how can you own quality editorial links? Here are 4 simple strategies you can apply.
Share Research and Statistics
The first strategy is to share original data and valuable insights. These studies and statistics will act as a natural link magnet. If you publish new research, surveys, or useful statistics, other content creators will want to cite your content. These are considered linkable assets: evergreen content that other publishers can reference in their articles.
You can also promote your research on social media or in relevant online communities to attract the attention of writers looking for sources. A great example is Ahrefs, which conducted a study that attracted links from dozens of referring domains at minimal cost. The key is to create content that is both unique and valuable enough that editors will want to link to it.
Earn Links Through Public Relations Efforts
The second strategy is to build links, like media relations. You can create press releases or newsworthy campaigns that can get editorial links into news publications. For example, when you launch a new product or service, write a press release and pitch it to relevant technology or industry news sites.
Another option is to plan a charity event or marketing stunt that will probably garner media notice. One mattress company ran a quirky sleep contest to get press coverage. These tactics create buzz and often lead to articles on other sites that link back to your site.
The important thing to remember is that if you do something new or interesting and share it with journalists, you increase your chances of getting coverage and editorial links.
Become a Source for Journalists and Bloggers
The next strategy is to position your website as an expert in your field. For their pieces, bloggers and journalists frequently search for quotes or insights. Therefore, you can use services like HARO to gain access to opportunities to be linked to by journalists or bloggers.
When you sign up for HARO, you will receive daily emails with questions from reporters on a variety of topics. Then, all you have to do is respond to the topics with useful content, and you can be featured in articles that link back to your website.
Also, don’t forget to build relationships with reporters and thought leaders in your field that can lead to long-term editorial link opportunities. When you provide valuable insights to journalists and bloggers, you will likely receive organic links from reputable media outlets. Over time, these ongoing connections will pay off with a steady stream of natural backlinks.
Turn Brand Mentions Into Backlinks
The final strategy is to find unlinked brand mentions and ask for a link. Sometimes, some websites may mention your company or product by name, but forget to link to you. And these are great opportunities for you to get a quality editorial link.
Just send a polite email to the author (thanking them for the mention and kindly asking for a link), and you will be able to convert that mention into a powerful editorial backlink. Keep an eye on Google Alerts or social media for your brand name. And when you find an unlinked mention, just reach out to the publisher to get more natural backlinks.
Final Words
Editorial links are natural, high-quality backlinks that signal to Google that your site is authoritative and relevant. Unlike paid links, editorial links are completely safe and are the foundation of a healthy link profile. You can earn quality editorial links by focusing on link-worthy content, public relations outreach, and media relationships.
If you want to tap into the power of editorial links but don’t have an in-house team or lack the connections, reach out to Jeenam. We can help you build a strategy to reach out to quality link opportunities from top publications and build a natural, high-authority backlink profile. Reach out to Jeenam today to learn how our SEO specialists can support your link-building goals and keep your website on Google’s good side.
