Local Backlinks For Local SEO
Getting local backlinks is an important part of your local SEO strategy. While any link from a reputable website is valuable, it’s especially useful when that link comes from a local business or news publication.
Using your local knowledge to create backlink opportunities is an excellent way to boost your search engine rankings. Fortunately, there are plenty of opportunities to find.
1. Local Citations & Directories
Local citations are vital for any local seo strategy, because they show search engines that your business is well-established in the community. They also help Google trust your website and rank it higher.
Unstructured citations can be found on directories of industry-specific businesses, such as law firms, insurance agencies, and healthcare providers. They are typically lower in domain authority but have a niche focus, and thus carry more weight than general directories.
You can also build unstructured citations by creating local content that is relevant to your audience. For example, a bicycle shop might write blog posts about cycling tips and local trails. This kind of content attracts links from other websites that share this information with their own audiences. As a result, the bicycle shop’s visibility and authority are boosted.
2. Forums & Blogs
Using a forum can be a great way to get local backlinks. These forums are usually focused on a specific niche and contain a large amount of keyword rich content.
Local blogs are also a good source of local backlinks. These blogs are strongly associated with a specific city, region, or neighborhood and tend to be well-indexed by search engines. These sites are a great place to get links because they provide exposure to your target audience and help you build authority.
Aside from online business directories, local newspapers and media websites are another great source of local backlinks. Look for features on local restaurants, events, and attractions to find opportunities to win links. Be sure to claim any unlinked brand mentions and contact the author to ask about adding a link.
3. Local News & Media
Local backlinks are a great way to validate your business’s information for search engines. Getting mentioned in local content on websites like community forums, Facebook pages, or even in a local news article can increase your visibility and boost your local SEO ranking.
The key is to focus on winning links from authoritative local sites. These may include business directories, online newspapers, or local chamber of commerce websites.
The best way to earn these is by creating unique local content that will draw in readers. This could be in the form of a blog post, infographic, or video. You should also make it easy for your customers to leave reviews on Google and Yelp, as this is another great way to build backlinks. The key is to be consistent and ensure that your NAP (name, address, phone number) matches across all platforms.
4. Social Media
Local SEO and social media marketing (SMM) are both based on content, so combining the two is a no-brainer. As it turns out, a robust social media profile can indirectly impact local search by increasing visibility in Google’s algorithm. For example, Facebook’s platform allows users to list accurate business information including name, address and phone number – a crucial element in determining a website’s local ranking factor.
Additionally, SMM is a great way to build brand awareness and increase the reach of your content by leveraging hashtags, geo-specific content, and more. This translates into more foot traffic, phone calls, and website visits, which ultimately improves your search rankings. In addition, social media sites like Twitter and TikTok offer endless opportunities to generate linkless backlinks through your social mentions.
5. Guest Posting
Using tools like Ahrefs and Majestic can help you identify local backlink opportunities. Also, search for mentions of the business you’re working with that don’t include a link and reach out to see if there is any way that you can get a link added.
Another great way to build links is by creating blog content about local topics — like markets, garage sales, or events in the area. This kind of content is often linked to by other local websites as a resource.
Getting links is important for local SEO and should be an essential part of your marketing strategy. Just be sure to use only quality backlinks and avoid overly spammy techniques. Otherwise, you could end up causing more harm than good.