How to Find Prospects for Backlinks: 8 Strategies That Actually Work
Stop shooting in the dark with link building. Learn the exact strategies successful SEOs use to find high-quality backlink prospects that actually respond to outreach.
Why Most Link Building Fails at the Prospect Research Stage
Here's what most people get wrong about link building: they focus on the outreach email instead of finding the right backlink prospects.
You could have the perfect outreach template, but if you're pitching websites that never link out, don't accept guest content, or aren't relevant to your niche, you'll get ignored every time. The key to successful link building starts with identifying quality backlink prospects who are genuinely interested in your content.
The secret to successful link building isn't better emails - it's better prospect research. This comprehensive guide shows you 8 proven strategies to find backlink prospects that actually want to link to quality content like yours.
Strategy 1: Competitor Backlink Analysis for Finding Quality Prospects
Your competitors have already done the hard work of finding linkable websites. Here's how to systematically analyze their backlink profiles to discover valuable backlink prospects:
Step-by-step process:
- Identify 5-10 direct competitors - Companies targeting the same keywords and audience as your backlink prospects
- Export their backlink profiles - Use tools like Ahrefs, SEMrush, or Moz to find their link sources
- Filter for quality prospects - Domain Authority 20+, relevant to your industry
- Look for patterns - Sites that link to multiple competitors are goldmine prospects for backlinks
- Check link context - Understand how and why they became backlink prospects
What to look for in backlink prospects:
- Resource pages that list multiple competitors as potential backlink prospects
- Industry roundups and "best of" lists seeking new prospects for backlinks
- Guest posts with author bio links from quality backlink prospects
- Tool comparison articles that evaluate backlink prospects
- Case study mentions featuring your competitor's backlink prospects
Instead of manually analyzing hundreds of potential backlink prospects, tools like Pikera SEO can automatically identify the most valuable link prospects from your competitors' profiles, showing you exactly which sites are worth targeting and why they make excellent backlink prospects.
Strategy 2: The 'Mentions Without Links' Goldmine for Finding Prospects
Some of the easiest backlink prospects to convert are websites that already mention your brand, product, or content - but forgot to include a link. These are warm backlink prospects who already know your value.
How to find unlinked mention prospects for backlinks:
- Google search:
"your brand name" -site:yourwebsite.comto find backlink prospects - Use Google Alerts for ongoing monitoring of potential backlink prospects
- Check social media mentions that could become backlink prospects
- Search for your product name, CEO name, or unique content titles to identify prospects
Outreach template for unlinked mention prospects:
Hi [Name],
I noticed you mentioned [Your Brand/Product] in your article about [Topic]. Thanks for the mention!
I noticed the mention doesn't link back to our site. Would you mind adding a link to help your readers find us easily?
Here's the URL: [Your URL]
Thanks!
This strategy has a high success rate because you're asking for a small favor from backlink prospects who already know and trust your brand. These warm prospects for backlinks are much more likely to respond positively.
Strategy 3: Resource Page Prospecting for High-Quality Backlink Opportunities
Resource pages are curated lists of helpful tools, articles, or websites. They're perfect backlink prospects because their entire purpose is to link to valuable resources, making them ideal prospects for backlinks.
How to find resource page prospects for backlinks in your niche:
"your keyword" + "resources"- Find resource page backlink prospects"your keyword" + "useful links"- Discover link-building prospects"your keyword" + "helpful tools"- Locate tool directory prospects"your keyword" + "recommended"- Find recommendation page prospects for backlinksintitle:"resources" + "your keyword"- Target specific resource page prospects
Evaluating resource page prospects for backlinks:
- Recently updated: Look for backlink prospects updated in the last 6 months
- Quality links: They link to reputable sites, indicating good prospects for backlinks
- Relevant category: There's a logical place for your link among their prospects
- Contact information: Easy to find who maintains these backlink prospects
When reaching out to resource page prospects for backlinks, explain exactly why your resource would be valuable to their audience and suggest the specific section where it would fit best among their current link prospects.
Strategy 4: Broken Link Building to Convert Prospects Into Backlinks
Broken link building works because you're solving a real problem for website owners while earning a link. This strategy turns helpful prospects into valuable backlink opportunities.
Step-by-step process for broken link prospects:
- Find relevant websites - Sites in your industry with resource pages or link lists that could become backlink prospects
- Check for broken links - Use tools like Check My Links browser extension on potential prospects
- Identify replacement opportunities - Broken links to content you could recreate for these prospects
- Create better content - Make something more comprehensive than what was broken for your target prospects
- Reach out with the solution - Offer your content as a replacement to convert prospects into backlinks
Outreach template for broken link prospects:
Hi [Name],
I was reading your excellent resource page about [Topic] and noticed that one of the links appears to be broken:
[Broken URL]
I actually created a comprehensive guide on the same topic that might be a good replacement: [Your URL]
Would you consider updating the link? I think your readers would find it helpful.
Thanks for maintaining such a useful resource!
Strategy 5: Industry Roundups and Lists - Premium Backlink Prospects
Many websites publish regular roundups like "Best Marketing Tools 2024" or "Top Industry Blogs to Follow." Getting featured in these provides high-value backlinks from established prospects who regularly feature quality content.
How to find roundup prospects for backlinks:
"best [your industry] tools 2024"- Find tool roundup prospects"top [your industry] blogs"- Discover blog list prospects for backlinks"[your industry] roundup"- Locate general roundup prospects"weekly [your industry] news"- Find news roundup backlink prospects"[your industry] tools comparison"- Target comparison article prospects
Types of roundup prospects to target for backlinks:
- Tool comparisons: Perfect prospects if you have a SaaS product seeking backlinks
- Industry news roundups: Great prospects for company announcements and backlink opportunities
- Content roundups: Ideal prospects for featuring your best blog posts
- Expert roundups: Premium prospects for thought leadership content and authority backlinks
The key is to find roundup prospects that are regularly updated and reach out when you have something genuinely newsworthy or valuable to contribute to their audience.
Strategy 6: HARO and Expert Requests - Authority Backlink Prospects
Help a Reporter Out (HARO) and similar services connect journalists with expert sources. Responding to relevant queries can earn you high-authority backlinks from news sites and industry publications - these are some of the most valuable prospects for backlinks.
How to succeed with HARO prospects:
- Sign up for relevant categories: Only subscribe to topics where you can provide expert insights to prospects
- Respond quickly: Journalist prospects work on tight deadlines
- Provide specific examples: Don't give generic advice to these high-value prospects
- Include credentials: Mention your expertise and company to establish authority with prospects
- Follow instructions exactly: Journalist prospects receive hundreds of responses
Other expert request platforms for finding backlink prospects:
- SourceBottle - Australian-based expert request prospects
- ProfNet - Professional network backlink prospects
- JournoRequests - UK journalist prospects for backlinks
- ResponseSource - European media prospects
Even if only 1 in 20 responses leads to a mention, the backlinks from major publication prospects make this strategy extremely worthwhile for building domain authority.
Strategy 7: Content-Based Link Prospecting for Maximum Backlink Attraction
Create content specifically designed to attract backlinks, then proactively reach out to relevant websites that would benefit from linking to it. This approach turns your content into a magnet for quality backlink prospects.
High-linkability content types that attract backlink prospects:
- Original research and surveys: Industry statistics that naturally attract research-hungry prospects
- Comprehensive guides: Ultimate guides that become go-to resources for prospects seeking backlinks
- Tools and calculators: Free utilities that prospects want to share with their audiences
- Industry reports: Annual state of the industry reports that prospects cite regularly
- Infographics: Visual content that prospects love to embed and link to
Content-based prospecting process:
- Create linkable content: Something genuinely useful and unique that prospects will want to reference
- Identify who would link to it: Websites that cover similar topics and could become valuable prospects
- Find contact information: Look for editors, content managers, or site owners among your target prospects
- Craft personalized outreach: Explain why their audience would find it valuable when approaching prospects
The key is creating content that solves a real problem or provides unique value that other websites would naturally want to reference. This transforms your content into a powerful tool for attracting and converting backlink prospects.
Strategy 8: Local and Industry Directory Prospecting for Foundational Backlinks
While not as powerful as editorial links, directory links from relevant, high-quality directories can still provide SEO value and referral traffic. These directory prospects offer consistent, reliable backlink opportunities.
Types of directory prospects to target for backlinks:
- Industry-specific directories: Directory prospects tailored to your specific niche
- Local business directories: Regional prospects if you serve local markets
- Professional association directories: Industry organization member directory prospects
- Government directories: Official business registry prospects for backlinks
- University directories: Alumni or partner business directory prospects
How to evaluate directory prospect quality:
- Editorial standards: Directory prospects that review submissions before listing
- Relevant categories: Clear, logical categorization among these prospects
- Quality listings: Other reputable businesses are listed by these directory prospects
- Regular maintenance: Prospects that remove broken links and add new listings regularly
Avoid paid directory prospects or those that accept any submission without review - these provide little SEO value and may even hurt your rankings. Focus on editorial directory prospects that maintain quality standards.
How to Prioritize Your Link Prospects for Maximum ROI
Not all backlink prospects are worth the same effort. Here's how to prioritize your outreach to focus on the most valuable prospects for backlinks:
High Priority Prospects (Focus 80% of effort here):
- Domain Authority 30+: Established backlink prospects with proven SEO value
- Highly relevant: Prospects directly related to your industry or topic
- Active linking: Prospects that have added new outbound links recently
- Engaged audience: Backlink prospects with comments, social shares, email subscribers
Medium Priority Prospects (20% of effort):
- Domain Authority 15-30: Growing backlink prospects with potential
- Somewhat relevant: Adjacent industry prospects or broader topic sites
- Occasional linking: Prospects that link out but not frequently
Low Priority Prospects (Avoid unless easy wins):
- Domain Authority under 15: Backlink prospects with little SEO value
- Irrelevant: Prospects with no clear connection to your industry
- Never links out: Prospects with no external links in recent content
Tools like Pikera SEO can automatically score and prioritize your backlink prospects based on these factors, helping you focus your outreach efforts on the prospects most likely to convert into valuable backlinks.
Frequently Asked Questions About Finding Backlink Prospects
How many backlink prospects should I contact per week?
Quality over quantity when reaching out to backlink prospects. Start with 20-30 highly targeted prospects per week rather than mass outreach. Focus on personalized, relevant pitches to prospects that are likely to respond positively and convert into valuable backlinks.
What's a realistic response rate for backlink prospect outreach?
A 5-15% positive response rate is realistic for well-targeted, personalized outreach to quality backlink prospects. If you're getting less than 5% from your prospects, your prospect research or outreach approach needs improvement.
Should I use link building tools or do manual research for finding prospects?
A combination works best for identifying backlink prospects. Use tools to identify opportunities and gather data about potential prospects, but always do manual research to understand the context and personalize your outreach to each prospect.
How do I find contact information for backlink prospects?
Check your target prospects' websites for contact pages, about pages, or author bios. Use tools like Hunter.io for email finding when reaching out to prospects, or contact potential backlink prospects through social media if email isn't available.
What if a backlink prospect doesn't respond to my first email?
Send one polite follow-up to unresponsive backlink prospects after 1-2 weeks. If prospects don't respond to the follow-up, move on to other potential backlink opportunities. Persistence with uninterested prospects can quickly turn into spam.
Guide to Finding Backlink Prospects
Key Takeaways for Finding Backlink Prospects
- Focus on quality prospects over quantity for better backlink success rates
- Competitor analysis reveals proven backlink prospects in your niche
- Unlinked mentions are the easiest prospects to convert into backlinks
- HARO provides access to high-authority backlink prospects
- Create linkable content to attract prospects naturally
Essential Tools for Finding Backlink Prospects
Competitor Analysis
Ahrefs, SEMrush, Moz for analyzing competitor backlink prospects
Mention Monitoring
Google Alerts, Mention.com for tracking unlinked prospects
Broken Link Detection
Check My Links extension, Screaming Frog for finding prospects
Expert Requests
HARO, SourceBottle for journalist prospect opportunities
Ready to Find High-Quality Backlink Prospects?
Stop wasting time on low-quality prospects. Use these proven strategies to find backlink opportunities that actually convert into valuable links for your website.
Join 10,000+ SEOs who use these strategies to build high-quality backlink profiles