The October 2023 Core Update caused major losses for small businesses. Many websites saw a sharp decline in backlinks as Google removed low-quality links from its index. Websites that relied on guest posts, PBNs, or directory links lost a large portion of their link profiles. Businesses that spent years building backlinks suddenly found their rankings dropping.

Directories that used to pass link authority no longer had the same value. Many blogs that published guest posts were deindexed, causing link losses. If your website had links from these sites, they disappeared, leading to lower rankings and traffic loss.

How Businesses Are Losing Money in the Backlink Game

Backlink building has become more expensive, but most links today do not provide value. Many businesses spend thousands of dollars on backlinks that do not improve rankings.

Outreach backlinks are now harder to get. Many website owners demand high prices for links, and most available links come from low-quality sites. These sites have high DA but no traffic. They run on expired domains and are only made to sell backlinks. These links do not pass authority and cost up to $250 per link.

Backlink agencies do not offer better solutions. Most of them sell backlinks from farms that have no niche relevance. Around 80 percent of the backlinks from these agencies come from unrelated websites, which do not help rankings. Businesses that invest in these links see no results, wasting their money on links that do not work.

Why the Old Backlink Strategies Will Not Work in 2025

Google now focuses on link quality, niche relevance, and user engagement. Old backlink strategies no longer work because they do not send the right signals to Google.

To rank in 2025, you need backlinks from websites in your industry. These links should provide a ranking signal, tell Google your business niche, and match your primary keyword. Google looks at the context of the linking site, the relevance of the content, and the natural placement of the link.

If your backlinks come from unrelated sites, expired domains, or low-quality blogs, they will not help your rankings. You need a new strategy that focuses on real niche relevance, strong domain authority, and organic traffic.

My Exact Strategy Im Using Now to Build Backlinks for Small Business

#1 Niche-Relevant Websites for Backlinks

Backlinks from niche-related websites help your site rank better. Google now values link relevance more than domain authority (DA). A backlink from a site in your industry is more powerful than a random high-DA link.

Many websites waste money on backlinks from unrelated sources. These links do not pass authority and do not help rankings. You need backlinks from websites in your business category.

Why Niche Relevance Is More Important Than DA

Domain authority was once a major factor in backlink building. Many businesses bought links from high-DA sites without checking relevance. Today, Google looks at:

• The industry of the linking site – Does it match your niche?

• The content around the backlink – Is it related to your topic?

• The purpose of the link – Is it natural or paid?

A backlink from a high-DA website with no industry relevance is weak. But a link from a small, niche-relevant website with real traffic is valuable.

How to Identify Real Industry-Related Websites

Finding niche websites for backlinks requires research. Here’s how you can do it:

1. Check Competitor Backlinks

   • Use tools like Ahrefs, SEMrush, or Moz to see where competitors get links.

   • Look for industry blogs, news sites, and resource pages linking to them.

   • Reach out to these websites for similar backlink opportunities.

2. Use Google Search Operators

   • Search for niche websites using:

     • "your industry" + "write for us"

     • "your industry" + "best resources"

     • "your industry" + "top blogs"

   • These searches help find relevant sites that accept guest posts or links.

3. Check Website Traffic and Engagement

   • A good backlink source should have real traffic, not just high DA.

   • Use SimilarWeb or Ahrefs to check if a site gets organic visitors.

   • Avoid expired domains repurposed just for selling backlinks.

4. Find Resource Pages in Your Niche

   • Many websites have "best tools" or "recommended resources" pages.

   • Reach out and ask to be listed if your site is relevant.

Using Competitor Analysis to Find Backlink Opportunities

Competitor analysis is one of the best ways to find backlink sources. If a website links to your competitor, they may link to you too.

Steps to do it:

• Find top-ranking competitors in your niche.

• Check their backlink profile using Ahrefs or SEMrush.

• Look for patterns – Are they getting links from certain blogs, forums, or directories?

• Reach out to these sites with a better resource, guest post, or collaboration offer.

Avoid These Common Mistakes

1. Buying backlinks from irrelevant high-DA sites – These links will not help rankings.

2. Getting links from spammy directories – Google devalues most of them.

3. Focusing only on guest posts – Mix different types of backlinks for a natural profile.

4. Ignoring website traffic – A backlink from a dead website is useless.

#2 Getting Backlinks from Authority Blogs Without Paying for Links

Many businesses spend money on backlinks, but most paid links do not work. Google ignores or penalizes links from paid sources, link farms, and spammy guest posts. Instead, you need to earn backlinks naturally from real authority blogs in your industry.

Authority blogs have strong rankings, organic traffic, and trust. A single backlink from such a site is more valuable than 100 low-quality backlinks. The challenge is getting these links without paying.

Here’s how you can do it.

Building Relationships with Blog Owners

Authority blogs do not sell backlinks. They only link to valuable content or trusted sources. The best way to get a backlink is to build a relationship with the blog owner.

Steps to do this:

1. Engage with their content – Comment on blog posts, share their articles, and engage on social media.

2. Send valuable insights – If they publish reports or research, provide useful data or feedback.

3. Offer to collaborate – Propose a partnership like co-writing an article or sharing industry insights.

Blog owners are more likely to link to people they know and trust. Focus on long-term connections instead of asking for a link right away.

Providing Expert Insights and Data for Organic Mentions

Authority blogs often link to experts, case studies, and original research. If you provide unique data or insights, they may link to your website.

Ways to do this:

• Publish industry reports – If you have data or case studies, share them in your blog.

• Offer quotes or expert opinions – Reach out to blog owners and offer insights on their topics.

• Update outdated content – If you see old statistics in their blog, send them new data with a link to your research.

Example: A marketing blog writes about "SEO Trends for 2025" but uses 2020 data. You send them updated 2024 research from your site, and they add your link as a source.

Leveraging Collaborations Instead of Guest Posting

Guest posting used to be a strong backlink strategy, but many sites now ignore guest post requests. Instead of writing guest posts, try these methods:

1. Interview exchanges – Offer to interview the blog owner for your site and ask them to feature your insights.

2. Roundup posts – Many blogs do expert roundups. Contact them to be featured in a future post.

3. Webinar or podcast collaborations – Join their podcast or webinar and earn a backlink from their event page.

Instead of begging for a guest post, provide value. Authority blogs prefer featuring experts over random guest contributors.

How to Approach Blog Owners Without Getting Ignored

Most blog owners receive hundreds of backlink requests. If you send a basic email asking for a link, you will be ignored.

Best way to contact them:
✅ Personalize your email – Mention their recent post or project.
✅ Offer something valuable – Data, insights, or a collaboration.
✅ Keep it short and clear – No long introductions, get to the point.

Example email:

#3 Leveraging Niche-Specific Directories That Still Work

Many directories no longer pass link value, but some still work if used correctly. Google has devalued spammy, general directories, but niche-specific directories remain useful for rankings and traffic.

A well-chosen directory listing can help your site:
✅ Get backlinks from industry-related sources
✅ Improve local and niche relevance
✅ Attract direct traffic from potential customers

You need to find directories that still hold value and avoid the ones that could harm your rankings.

Finding Directories That Still Pass Link Value

Not all directories are bad. The key is choosing ones that are:

• Industry-related – Directories specific to your business niche

• Locally relevant – Directories that focus on your city or region

• Trusted by Google – Sites that have organic traffic and are not link farms

Here’s how to identify good directories:

1. Use Google to Find Niche Directories

Search for directories using:
🔹 "your industry" + "directory"
🔹 "best [industry] directories"
🔹 "top directories for [your business type]"

For example:

• If you run a legal business, look for law firm directories

• If you own a restaurant, find food and hospitality directories

2. Check the Directory’s Authority

Not all directories are worth it. Before submitting your website, check:
✅ Domain Rating (DR) or Domain Authority (DA) – Use Ahrefs or Moz
✅ Traffic and activity – Use SimilarWeb to see if people visit the site
✅ Existing links – Avoid directories that list spam or low-quality sites

3. Submit to Local Business Directories

If your business serves a local area, list it on:

• Google Business Profile

• Yelp

• Bing Places

• Apple Maps

• Industry-specific local directories

Directories That Are Still Useful in 2025

Here are some directories that still provide SEO value:

✔ Industry-Specific Directories – Good for niche relevance
✔ Local Business Directories – Great for local SEO and map rankings
✔ Association Directories – If you are part of a trade group, get listed
✔ Chamber of Commerce Directories – Trusted by Google and users
✔ Supplier & Vendor Directories – Business-to-business (B2B) directories can drive leads

🔴 Avoid These
❌ General free directories with no niche focus
❌ Directories that require you to buy links
❌ Spammy directories with thousands of unrelated listings

How to Get Listed on the Best Directories

1️⃣ Check if the directory is relevant to your business
2️⃣ Look for a free listing option first (avoid paid ones unless it’s a trusted directory)
3️⃣ Fill out your profile completely – Include your website, business info, and keywords
4️⃣ Keep your information consistent – Use the same name, address, and phone number across all directories
5️⃣ Monitor your listing – If a directory stops being active or gets deindexed, remove your link

#4 Partnering with Local Businesses for Mutual Backlinks

Backlink building does not always require outreach to strangers. You can gain strong, relevant backlinks by partnering with local businesses in your area. This method helps both businesses grow while improving SEO.

Google values local relevance, and backlinks from other businesses in your area send strong location signals. These links also bring direct traffic from local customers who trust businesses in their community.

Here’s how you can create partnerships that generate high-quality backlinks.

Why Local Business Partnerships Work for SEO

Most businesses focus on national or industry-wide backlinks and ignore local connections. However, local backlinks have unique benefits:

✅ Stronger niche and location relevance – Google sees these links as natural connections between businesses in the same area.
✅ Easier to get – Local businesses are more open to collaborations than big national websites.
✅ More direct traffic – People searching for local services often browse related businesses.

Example: A local gym partners with a nearby health food store. They exchange backlinks, helping each other rank higher for local searches.

Ways to Get Backlinks from Local Business Partnerships

1. Exchange Resource Links

Many businesses create resource pages or “recommended partners” sections on their websites. You can:
✔ Ask local businesses in related industries to list your website as a trusted partner.
✔ Offer to do the same for them on your site.
✔ Make sure the links provide value to visitors (not just for SEO).

Example: A real estate agent can link to local mortgage lenders, home inspectors, and moving companies—each business benefits from the connections.

2. Sponsor Local Events or Charities

Local organizations, events, and charities often list sponsors on their websites. These links are strong because they come from community-trusted sources.

How to do it:

• Find local events, sports teams, or charities looking for sponsors.

• Offer small sponsorships in exchange for a mention on their website.

• Get listed on their “Sponsors” or “Partners” page.

Example: A small coffee shop sponsors a local marathon. The marathon website includes a backlink to the coffee shop on its sponsor page.

3. Collaborate on Local Blog Content

Content collaborations can bring strong backlinks from local businesses. You can:
✔ Write a blog post featuring other local businesses and ask them to share it.
✔ Contribute a guest post to a local business’s blog (if they allow it).
✔ Create a “Best Local Businesses” list and include yourself in it.

Example: A local travel blog writes “The Best Restaurants in [City],” linking to multiple local eateries. Each restaurant shares the post, creating multiple backlinks.

4. Join Local Business Associations

Most cities have business associations, chambers of commerce, and networking groups that list members on their websites.

Steps to get listed:
1️⃣ Find your local chamber of commerce or business directory.
2️⃣ Apply for membership (some are free, others require a small fee).
3️⃣ Add your business details and website to their listing.

Example: A small law firm joins the city’s business association. The association’s website links to the firm’s homepage, boosting local SEO.

5. Partner on Giveaways or Discounts

Running a joint giveaway or discount promotion with a local business can get you backlinks from their website and social media.

Ways to do this:

• Offer a special discount to customers of another business in exchange for a website mention.

• Run a giveaway together and have both businesses link to the contest page.

• Promote the partnership on your websites and social media.

Example: A pet groomer partners with a local pet supply store to offer a joint discount. Both businesses promote it on their websites, creating mutual backlinks.

Mistakes to Avoid When Partnering for Backlinks

🚫 Avoid link exchanges with unrelated businesses – A bakery linking to a car repair shop makes no sense. Keep partnerships relevant.
🚫 Do not spam your partner’s website with excessive links – A single, well-placed link is better than multiple forced ones.
🚫 Make sure the link adds value – Google prefers natural, useful links, not just SEO tricks.

That’s a wrap. This is the exact method I’m using, and it has brought great results for me. Instead of wasting money on backlinks that do not work, I focus on niche relevance, local partnerships, and real authority sites.