Manual link building is the process of manually building backlinks to improve a website’s search engine ranking. Instead of using automated tools, manual link building focuses on generating high-quality links from authoritative websites. In this article, Jeenam introduces the 7 most effective strategies for manual link building.
What is Manual Link Building?
Manual link building is the process of creating backlinks manually without using supporting tools. It means attracting high-quality natural links from reputable websites. You need to create a variety of different links such as: guest posts, directories, forums, newspapers, etc. You need to research how competitors in the same industry build links to have the right direction for your website. This process takes place slowly, you should not suddenly increase the number of links. Because the possibility of Google spamming and applying penalties to the website is quite high. Although it takes more time than automatic methods, the website has a higher reputation, and is safe with Google’s algorithms.
Here are some of the most popular manual link building methods:
- Write product/service reviews.
- Post articles on guest sites.
- Connect with influencers.
- Leave quality comments on relevant blogs.
- Publish professional press releases.
- Focus on building long-term relationships.
Difference Between Automated and Manual Link Building
When it comes to link building, there are 2 main methods: Manual Link Building and Automated Link Building. Both have pros and cons, but the manual method is often preferred due to its quality assurance, relevance, and compliance with search engine guidelines. Here is a detailed comparison table of the 2 methods to help you understand better:
| Criteria | Manual Link Building | Automated Link Building |
| Define | Use manual methods to select, approach and place links on reputable websites. | Use software or automated tools to create links quickly without much human intervention. |
| Link quality | High – focus on natural links, from authoritative and relevant websites. | Low – can create many links but lacks selectivity, easily falling into spam. |
| Personalization | Yes – it is necessary to research, contact and build relationships with other websites. | There is no mass link building, a lack of personal interaction. |
| Comply with Google Guidelines | Yes – focus on natural links, in line with Google’s algorithm. | No-it’s easy to violate Google’s policies, risking a penalty. |
| Risk of Google Penalty | Low – if done correctly, less likely to be penalized by Google. | High – easy to create low-quality links, which can result in Google penalties and lower rankings. |
| Sustainability | High-links have long-term value, helping SEO develop sustainably. | Low – usually only brings short-term results, easily lapses when Google updates its algorithm. |
| Deployment speed | Slow – takes time to research, approach and build relationships. | Fast – can create a series of links in a short time. |
| Expense | High – laborious, requires experts or experienced team. | Low – can save costs but high risk. |
Common Causes of Google Penalties
These are common reasons why Google penalizes your website:
- Black Hat SEO Techniques: Black Hat SEO Techniques: Black Hat SEO techniques are keyword stuffing, cloaking, private blog networks, link farming, hidden text, and content scraping.
- Spammy Backlinks: Spammy backlinks include link farming, buying backlinks, using private blog networks (PBNs), and comment spamming.
- Duplicate Content: Duplicate content promotion involve creating multiple web pages with identical or substantially similar content to manipulate search engine rankings.
- Hacked Site: Hacked site involves exploiting vulnerabilities in websites to gain unauthorized access and control.
Manual link building is the process of manually building backlinks to improve a website’s search engine ranking. Instead of using automated tools, manual link building focuses on generating high-quality links from authoritative websites. In this article, Jeenam introduces the 7 most effective strategies for manual link building.
What is Manual Link Building?
Manual link building is the process of creating backlinks manually without using supporting tools. It means attracting high-quality natural links from reputable websites. You need to create a variety of different links such as: guest posts, directories, forums, newspapers, etc. You need to research how competitors in the same industry build links to have the right direction for your website. This process takes place slowly, you should not suddenly increase the number of links. Because the possibility of Google spamming and applying penalties to the website is quite high. Although it takes more time than automatic methods, the website has a higher reputation, and is safe with Google’s algorithms.
Here are some of the most popular manual link building methods:
- Write product/service reviews.
- Post articles on guest sites.
- Connect with influencers.
- Leave quality comments on relevant blogs.
- Publish professional press releases.
- Focus on building long-term relationships.
Difference Between Automated and Manual Link Building
When it comes to link building, there are 2 main methods: Manual Link Building and Automated Link Building. Both have pros and cons, but the manual method is often preferred due to its quality assurance, relevance, and compliance with search engine guidelines. Here is a detailed comparison table of the 2 methods to help you understand better:
| Criteria | Manual Link Building | Automated Link Building |
| Define | Use manual methods to select, approach and place links on reputable websites. | Use software or automated tools to create links quickly without much human intervention. |
| Link quality | High – focus on natural links, from authoritative and relevant websites. | Low – can create many links but lacks selectivity, easily falling into spam. |
| Personalization | Yes – it is necessary to research, contact and build relationships with other websites. | There is no mass link building, a lack of personal interaction. |
| Comply with Google Guidelines | Yes – focus on natural links, in line with Google’s algorithm. | No-it’s easy to violate Google’s policies, risking a penalty. |
| Risk of Google Penalty | Low – if done correctly, less likely to be penalized by Google. | High – easy to create low-quality links, which can result in Google penalties and lower rankings. |
| Sustainability | High-links have long-term value, helping SEO develop sustainably. | Low – usually only brings short-term results, easily lapses when Google updates its algorithm. |
| Deployment speed | Slow – takes time to research, approach and build relationships. | Fast – can create a series of links in a short time. |
| Expense | High – laborious, requires experts or experienced team. | Low – can save costs but high risk. |
Common Causes of Google Penalties
These are common reasons why Google penalizes your website:
- Black Hat SEO Techniques: Black Hat SEO Techniques: Black Hat SEO techniques are keyword stuffing, cloaking, private blog networks, link farming, hidden text, and content scraping.
- Spammy Backlinks: Spammy backlinks include link farming, buying backlinks, using private blog networks (PBNs), and comment spamming.
- Duplicate Content: Duplicate content promotion involve creating multiple web pages with identical or substantially similar content to manipulate search engine rankings.
- Hacked Site: Hacked site involves exploiting vulnerabilities in websites to gain unauthorized access and control.
Proven Manual Link Building Strategies
There are 5 manual link building strategies that we want you to know, below we will go into detail about what these strategies are and how to implement them most effectively, push the website to the top page, and be a top authority site.
Content-Based Link Building
To write quality content, you must carefully research the industry you are operating in and write content that meets the search intent of users. Content must provide value to users. If your content is of high value, it will attract a large number of backlinks from other websites. Skyscraper Technique is an effective method in content-based link building. This technique includes 3 steps: (1) find industry-related content that has received many backlinks, (2) create better, more comprehensive content, and (3) contact websites that have linked to the original content to introduce a better version of you. In addition, you can participate in platforms such as Quora, Reddit or specialized forums, you will help your website increase credibility and become more recognizable. When answering questions on this platform, remember to only provide real value. Limit links to websites, prioritize using hashtags and only insert links when the information in the link supplements your answer.
Guest Blogging and Outreach
Guest blogging is the practice of writing for other websites to gain backlinks and reach a new audience. To find suitable websites for guest posts, you can:
- Use Google search terms like “write for us” + [industry keyword]
- Analyze your competitors’ backlinks to find guest post opportunities
- Identify blogs relevant to your industry with good Domain Authority
- Check the website’s traffic and engagement before reaching out
Email outreach is an important step in the guest blogging process. An effective outreach email should:
- Have a clear, personalized, and engaging subject line
- Briefly introduce yourself and your reason for contacting
- Suggest a specific topic that is relevant to the website’s audience
- Provide examples of previously published articles
- End with a clear call to action
When doing guest blogging, focus on providing value to the website’s readers rather than just thinking about backlinks. High quality content will help you build credibility and increase your chances of future acceptance.
Digital PR & HARO (Help a Reporter Out)
HARO (Help a Reporter Out) is a platform that connects journalists with experts in many fields, helping you get backlinks from reputable news sites. To use HARO, you need to register for an information source account. Then choose a category that suits your expertise, follow daily email notifications, and quickly respond to questions with high-value information. You should write short, concise answers that are straight to the point so that they are easily cited.
Digital PR is a way to apply traditional PR techniques to the online environment. When writing a press release to attract media, you need to note the following information:
- Create a catchy but accurate headline
- Put the most important information first
- Provide exclusive data or research
- Add a quote from an authority
- Have contact information and a link to your website.
Broken Link Building & Unlinked Mentions
Broken link building is when you use tools like Ahrefs or SEMrush to find broken links in your industry. Then check the original content of the broken link with the Wayback machine and create a better piece of content. Finally, use the webmaster to suggest replacing the broken link with your own content.
Unlinked mentions are when your brand is mentioned but there is no link to your website. To convert brand mentions into backlinks:
- Use Google Alerts or Brand24 to track new mentions
- Check if the mentions link to your website
- Contact the author or webmaster with a polite email
- Thank them for the mention and ask for a link
Local and Niche-Specific Link Building
Building backlinks from authoritative web directories is an effective strategy for local businesses. Trusted sources include Google Business Profile, Yelp, TripAdvisor, local trade associations, and industry directories relevant to your industry.
To get quality backlinks from industry sources, get involved and actively contribute to your industry community, sponsor events or conferences, offer scholarships or educational programs, and develop valuable free tools or resources.
Google values backlinks from local and industry-specific sources because they demonstrate relevance and authority in your field and reinforce your website’s expertise.
Example 1: Local Dental Clinic
- Register on Healthgrades, WebMD, and ZocDoc to get high-authority backlinks
- Join the American Dental Association and contribute professional research
- Sponsor a school-based oral health program, get local press coverage
Example 3: SaaS Software Company
- Create a free plugin for WordPress or Shopify, get mentioned by tech blogs
- Sponsor a local hackathon, get backlinks from universities and tech organizations
- Release an annual industry research report, get cited and linked to by TechCrunch and Wired
How to Optimize Your Manual Link Building Process?
If you want your manual link building campaign to be effective, you need to have a diverse and natural anchor text strategy, avoid overusing keywords, combine branded anchor text, URLs and related keywords, and research your competitors.
When evaluating potential websites, consider the following factors: Domain Authority/Rating (DA>60), organic traffic, industry relevance, content quality and design, and natural backlink profile.
Leverage influencer relationships by interviewing experts, inviting them to contribute content, mentioning their work, and collaborating on projects.
Track link building performance through the number of new backlinks, quality of linking websites, anchor text diversity, keyword rankings, organic traffic, and conversion rates from backlink sources.
When to Hire a Manual Link Building Service
If your company lacks the staff or time to do manual link building or is not getting the desired results from internal efforts. You need to speed up the backlink building process. Your website has high competition in the industry that requires deep expertise. You have difficulty accessing high-quality websites. Jeenam will solve this problem for you because we have more than 10 years of experience in this field. Have cooperated with more than 15,000 large and small partners. Jeenam provides a variety of backlink building service packages that you can refer to on our website.
Wrap up
Manual link building is an effective SEO strategy that helps build credibility and sustainable website rankings. In this article, we present over five core manual link building strategies. We hope this article has helped you understand manual link building and find the right strategy for your business. If you need support with backlinks, please contact Jeenam for more details.
