It’s no secret that selling to an existing customer is much easier—and 12 times more likely—than selling to a new prospect. But did you know this same principle applies to earning backlinks?
People who have already linked to your website are much more likely to link to you again, making them your low-hanging fruit for building organic backlinks.
Here’s a step-by-step guide to finding and leveraging these opportunities:
Step 1: Find Websites That Already Link to You
Google Search Console makes it incredibly easy to identify sites that are already linking to your content. Here’s how:
- Visit Google Search Console:
Go to Google Search Console.
If you haven’t already added your website, click “Add a property” and follow the steps to verify ownership. - Select Your Website:
From the list of properties, choose the one you want to analyze. - Navigate to Link Data:
On the left-hand menu, click “Search Traffic” → “Links To Your Site.” - View Who Links the Most:
Under the section “Who links the most,” click “More” to see a detailed list of sites linking to your content. - Download the Full List:
Click “Download more sample links” to save a complete list of linking domains for further analysis.
Step 2: Reach Out Strategically
Now that you have a list of websites that already link to you, it’s time to reach out and re-engage with them.
- Send a Thank-You Email:
Express gratitude for their past link. Acknowledge their support and let them know you appreciate their trust in your content.
Example:
“Hi [Name],
I noticed that you’ve linked to my article [Article Title] from [Their Website/Page Name]. I just wanted to say thank you—it means a lot that you found it valuable enough to share with your audience!” - Introduce New Content:
Follow up by sharing a relevant, high-quality piece of content they might find useful for their readers.
Example:
“I recently published a new article on [Topic], and I think it could be a great fit for your audience too. Here’s the link: [Insert Link]. Let me know if it resonates with you or if you’d like to collaborate further.” - Personalize Your Outreach:
Highlight how the new content aligns with their existing content or audience. The more specific and tailored your message, the higher the likelihood of a response.
Why This Works
- Established Trust:
If someone has already linked to you, they trust your content quality and are familiar with your expertise. This lowers the barrier for future collaborations. - Easier Pitch:
Since these websites are already in your backlink profile, they’ve demonstrated an interest in your niche or topic. A new, relevant piece of content aligns perfectly with their existing interests. - Low Cost, High Return:
Unlike cold outreach, where you’re pitching to completely new prospects, this method focuses on warm leads. The likelihood of success is exponentially higher, making it a time-efficient and cost-effective approach.
Bonus Tip: Build Long-Term Relationships
Don’t stop at one thank-you email. Engage with these websites on social media, share their content, and comment on their posts. Building a genuine, ongoing relationship increases the chances of repeat links and potential collaborations in the future.
The Bottom Line
By leveraging the existing trust and interest of those who already link to you, you can quickly multiply your organic backlinks without spending a dime. With just a bit of effort and thoughtful outreach, you can turn your existing linkers into long-term advocates for your content—and see exponential results in your SEO performance.