Backlinks remain one of the most important ranking factors for SEO in 2023. By having other reputable websites link back to your site, you can improve your domain authority and search engine rankings. However, finding and acquiring quality backlinks takes time and effort. A backlink site list can help streamline the process.
What is a Backlink Site List?
A backlink site list is a curated list of websites that accept and publish guest posts or other types of content containing backlinks. These are often high-quality sites with good domain authority and traffic that can help transfer link equity and authority to your own site.
Why You Need One
Maintaining an updated backlink site list provides numerous benefits:
Saves Time
Researching potential sites for outreach takes time. A pre-compiled list eliminates this grunt work.
Improves Efficiency
You don’t have to vet each site for quality or look up submission guidelines. That’s all done for you.
Provides Options
Not every site will say yes to a guest post request. A list gives you alternatives to pitch if you get rejected.
Enables Organization
You can track outreach efforts and follow up appropriately when you keep a master list.
Maximizes Link Building
A centralized resource lets you consistently build links instead of scrambling to find sites.
Criteria for Selecting Sites
Not just any site belongs on a backlink list. To maximize SEO value, the sites should meet certain criteria:
Relevant Topics
Look for sites that cover subjects closely related to your niche and target keywords. Links from these pages will be more valuable.
Genuine Traffic
Prioritize sites with real, human visitors instead of bot traffic or fake analytics. Check Alexa and SEMrush traffic estimates.
Strong Domain Metrics
Choose sites with metrics like age, authority, and trust flow/citation flow that demonstrate quality and influence.
Content Publication
Obviously the site needs to publish content from external contributors containing backlinks.
Upkeep and Maintenance
A site that’s regularly updated with new content gives your links a longer shelf life.
Where to Find Sites for Your List
You can utilize several strategies and resources to identify appropriate sites for your backlink list:
Search Engine Queries
Use operators and filters in Google like “intitle:” and “inurl:submit” to find sites accepting guest posts.
Competitor Backlinks
Check the backlinks pointing to top-ranking competitor sites in Ahrefs or SEMrush.
Online Directories
Search directories like Cision, Help a Reporter Out (HARO) and Source Bottle.
Cold Outreach
Email sites in your space to ask about contribution opportunities.
Relevant Forums
Check forums and groups related to your industry for members who may accept guest posts.
Content Aggregators
Register with aggregators like Medium to tap into their existing audiences.
10 Examples of Sites to Include
Here are just a few examples of reputable, high-authority sites that accept contributed content that could be included on a backlink list:
- Forbes
- Entrepreneur
- Fast Company
- Business Insider
- HuffPost
- Lifehack
- Search Engine Journal
- Social Media Today
- Business 2 Community
- Thrive Global
Managing and Maintaining Your List
Once you build your initial list, you need to manage it over time. Here are some tips:
Organize in a Spreadsheet
Use a spreadsheet to track details like site name, URL, contact info, submission guidelines, topics accepted, and notes columns.
Update Regularly
Revisit your list at least quarterly to remove outdated or low-quality sites and add newly-discovered options.
Categorize Sites
Group sites into categories like general, niche-specific, aggregators, forums etc. to identify the best targets.
Monitor Guidelines
Check site guidelines periodically in case they change their contributor rules.
Track Outreach
Note when and who you reached out to and any follow up needed to continue conversations.
The Benefits of a Curated Backlink Site List
While it takes some effort to assemble and maintain your list, doing so provides powerful advantages:
- Find new, quality linking opportunities quickly
- Ensure sites meet your criteria before pitching
- Build links more efficiently using centralized research
- Enable consistent, ongoing link building efforts
- Focus more time on writing great content vs. site discovery
- Monitor outreach progress and follow up appropriately
- Improve overall link building results and SEO rankings
In summary, a well-researched backlink site list is an invaluable asset for any effective SEO link building strategy. Invest the time up front to compile a solid resource you can turn to again and again to maximize your ranking potential.
Conclusion
Backlinks remain a crucial signal for search engine algorithms. However, finding and vetting quality sites to reach out to for links can be tedious and time-consuming. A curated backlink site list solves this problem by providing a go-to database of pre-researched websites ready for outreach.
Using the criteria and sources outlined here, you can create your own list tuned exactly for your niche and target audience. Maintain and organize it to enable consistent, streamlined link building efforts. When armed with a comprehensive backlink site list, you’ll gain a strategic advantage that translates directly into increased domain authority, organic search traffic, and higher SEO rankings.
FAQs
Q: How often should you update your backlink site list?
A: Review and update your list at least quarterly to remove dead links and add any newly discovered sites. More frequent monthly reviews are even better to catch changes quickly.
Q: Is it okay to use the same backlink site list for multiple websites?
A: If the sites operate in distinct niches, you can reuse some, but should customize each list to match the specific subject matter needs of each site.
Q: How many sites should be on your list initially?
A: There’s no definitive number, but aim for at least 50-100 legitimate, active sites to provide good options. Build up from there over time.
Q: Should you stick to the same types of sites or diversify your list?
A: Diversity is good – include a mix of general, niche, aggregators, directories etc. But focus on types that work well for links in your industry.
Q: Is it worthwhile subscribing to paid backlink site lists or directories?
A: Research the reputation and results from any paid list first. Many quality options exist for finding sites for free, but paid can potentially save time.
