Skyscraper Technique for Quality Link Building: 3 Easy Tips

Skyscraper Technique

Skyscraper technique is a powerful method for quality link building involving the creation of superior content that surpasses existing content on a given topic. By producing highly detailed, valuable, and engaging content, you attract backlinks from reputable websites looking to link to the best available information. 

The skyscraper technique boosts your domain authority and enhances your website’s SEO performance. As your content earns natural backlinks, your site’s visibility and credibility improve, driving more organic traffic, leading to long-term benefits by continually attracting links and maintaining high content standards.

The easy tips for quality link building using the skyscraper technique involve identifying high-performing content in your niche, creating superior content that is even better than the original, and conducting effective outreach.

The benefits of the skyscraper technique include higher quality backlinks, improved search engine rankings, enhanced content quality, increased brand visibility and recognition, better user experience, competitive advantage, cost-effective marketing, increased engagement and conversions, and long-term benefits.

To use the skyscraper technique for the best results, especially for SaaS websites, follow these steps: identify high-performing content, create superior content, promote your content, monitor and optimize, leverage internal linking, and utilize content repurposing.

What is the Skyscraper Technique in Link Building?

The skyscraper technique in link building refers to finding the current high-ranking content (the tallest skyscraper) within a niche that other websites link to, creating even better content on the same topic, and then reaching out to websites that have linked to the original content to suggest they link to the superior version instead. Skyscraper technique helps you get links that used to point to your competitors, earn backlinks from pages that already have good traffic and authority, pushes you to create high-quality content, and scales the process easily.

The first step in the skyscraper technique is to identify existing content that is already performing well in terms of backlinks and traffic. The goal is to create content that is even better than what is currently available. Skyscraper technique involves researching top-performing articles, understanding what makes them successful, and then producing content that surpasses them in quality, depth, and value. 

Add more depth to your topic by including detailed explanations, thorough research, and additional insights. As part of the skyscraper technique, ensure that all information in your content is current and accurate. Outdated information reduces the credibility and usefulness of content, so update statistics, revise outdated facts, and incorporate the latest trends and research findings.

Additionally, content that is easy to read and understand is more likely to be shared and linked to as per skyscraper technique. Therefore, improve the readability of your content by structuring the article, using clear and concise language, and breaking up text with headings, subheadings, bullet points, and short paragraphs. Furthermore, incorporate high-quality images, infographics, videos, and charts to make the content more attractive and easier to digest. 

Finally, improve the usability of your content for effective link building in skyscraper technique. Usability refers to the ease for users to interact with and navigate your content, which is done by optimizing your website’s loading speed, ensuring mobile-friendliness, and providing a clear and intuitive layout.

Does the Skyscraper Technique Work for SaaS Link Building?

Yes, the skyscraper technique works effectively for SaaS link building when implemented correctly. Skyscraper technique works best for SaaS link building when applied to highly relevant topics about the SaaS industry, but lacks comprehensive or updated resources. For the skyscraper technique to be successful, your content must offer unique insights, data, or solutions that aren’t readily available elsewhere. After creating high-quality content, targeting the right websites, bloggers, and influencers in the SaaS industry is key to earning high-quality backlinks. Since SaaS is a fast-evolving industry, regularly update your content to remain the most current and authoritative on the topic (the tallest skyscraper), encouraging ongoing backlinks over time.

Why Does the Skyscraper Technique Work for SaaS Websites?

The skyscraper technique works effectively for SaaS websites due to the high-quality content, targeted outreach, improved user experience, and SaaS SEO benefits offered by skyscraper content. Here’s why skyscraper technique works for SaaS websites:

  • High-Quality Content: SaaS websites often deal with complex topics and technical details. By employing the skyscraper technique, you create exceptionally high-quality content that addresses the complexities of technical topics comprehensively. The superior skyscraper content that you create not only provides more value to readers but also establishes your website as a leading authority in the SaaS space. High-quality content naturally attracts backlinks as other sites seek to reference or link to valuable resources.
  • Targeted Outreach: Once you’ve created superior content, targeted outreach becomes essential. The skyscraper technique involves reaching out to sites that have linked to the original content you improved upon. For SaaS websites, targeted outreach means contacting industry-specific blogs, forums, and influencers who are likely to be interested in your advanced and updated content. The targeted approach in the skyscraper technique ensures that you are reaching out to relevant audiences who are more likely to link back to your content.
  • Improved User Experience: SaaS websites often serve technical or niche audiences who value a seamless user experience. The skyscraper technique emphasizes creating content that not only answers users’ questions but is also easy to navigate and engaging. By improving readability, enhancing visual appeal, and ensuring usability, you make your content more accessible and user-friendly. The improved user experience encourages visitors to spend more time on your site and increases the likelihood of them sharing and linking to your content.
  • SEO Benefits: High-quality, comprehensive content that is updated regularly helps improve your site’s SEO. Search engines favor well-researched and authoritative content that provides value to users. By using the skyscraper technique, you enhance your content’s relevance and quality, which leads to higher search engine rankings. Additionally, targeted outreach to relevant sites boosts your backlink profile, further enhancing your site’s authority and visibility in search results.

What are 3 Easy Tips for Skyscraper Technique?

The 3 easy tips for skyscraper technique are identifying high-performing content, creating superior content, and conducting effective outreach. Here is the detailed of 3 easy tips to maximize the effectiveness of the skyscraper technique:

Tips for Skyscraper Technique
Tips for Skyscraper Technique

Identify High-Performing Content

Identifying the right content to improve upon is the first critical step. Here’s how to do it:

  • Use SEO Tools

Utilizing SEO tools like Ahrefs, SEMrush, or Moz is essential for identifying high-performing content in your niche. SEO tools provide valuable insights into which topics and keywords are driving traffic and generating backlinks. By analyzing SEO metrics, pinpoint content that has the potential for improvement, focusing on content with proven demand and engagement.

  • Analyze Competitors

Analyze your competitors’ highly linked content to understand what works well in your niche. Look at the depth of information, presentation style, and user engagement in the competitor’s most linked-to content. Examine what makes their content successful and linkable, create even better versions that fill gaps, offer more comprehensive insights, and attract more backlinks.

  • Select Relevant Topics

Choosing the right topics is necessary for maximizing the effectiveness of your content. Focus on topics that are not only popular but also match with your audience’s interests and needs. Relevance is key; the more closely a topic matches your target audience’s preferences, the higher the chances of engagement and backlink acquisition.

Create Superior Content

Once you’ve identified the target content, the next step is to create something even better. Here’s how to enhance your content:

  • Comprehensiveness

Comprehensiveness in content means diving deeper into the topic by exploring additional subtopics, offering new insights, and including real-world examples that might have been missed before. By filling in the gaps in original content, you make your content richer and more valuable to readers. Comprehensiveness not only covers all aspects of the topic but also positions your content as a more authoritative and complete resource, enhancing its overall appeal.

  • Visual Enhancements

Visual enhancements involve adding high-quality images, infographics, videos, and other visual elements to your content. The visual additions not only make the content more engaging and visually appealing but also help in simplifying complex information, making the article easier for readers to understand and retain key points. By inserting the visuals, you enhance the overall user experience and increase the chances of sharing and backlinking.

  • Up-to-Date Information

Including up-to-date information in your content is necessary for maintaining the relevance and authority of the content. By featuring the latest data, trends, and insights, you increase the content’s credibility and appeal, making your content more likely to attract backlinks. Regularly updating your content ensures it remains a valuable resource for your audience and continues to rank well in search results.

  • Readability

Enhancing readability involves organizing your content with clear headings, bullet points, and concise paragraphs. The comprehensive structure allows readers to quickly skim through the text and locate the information they need, improving the overall user experience and increasing the chances of engagement and sharing.

Effective Outreach

Promoting your superior content is crucial for acquiring backlinks. Here are some tips for successful outreach:

  • Personalized Emails

Crafting personalized emails is essential for effective outreach. Personalized emails involve reaching out directly to site owners who have linked to the original content, customize your message to highlight how your enhanced content offers additional value. The personal touch in your email demonstrates genuine interest and increases the chances of a positive response, making the chances of linking to your content higher.

  • Highlight Benefits

When reaching out to website owners, highlight the benefits of your content clearly. Communicate to potential linkers how your content stands out by offering updated information, unique insights, more comprehensive details, and enhanced visuals. Emphasizing the advantages of your Skyscraper content helps the recipient understand the added value of your content, making them more inclined to replace existing links with yours.

  • Follow Up

If you don’t receive a response initially, send a polite follow-up reminder after a few days. Often, busy professionals may overlook the first email, and a follow-up brings your request back to their attention. Persistence, while remaining courteous, increases the chances of website owner’s noticing and considering your content for a link.

  • Utilize Social Media

Use social media to share your content across various platforms, tag relevant influencers or industry leaders, and comment on their related content. Engaging with potential linkers increases visibility and potentially leads to shares or mentions from influencers with a large following, amplifying your content’s reach and impact.

What’s the Difference Between Skyscraper Technique and Reaching Out to Replace Outdated Links?

Both techniques are used for link building, but the skyscraper technique is more effective because it involves creating new, superior content that aims to outdo the existing top content and become the new authority on the topic. In contrast, reaching out to replace outdated links involves finding and updating broken or outdated links on other websites to direct them to your content instead.

The skyscraper technique works by first identifying high-performing content in your niche, and then producing content that is more comprehensive, detailed, and engaging. Skyscraper approach ensures that your content not only surpasses what’s currently available but also naturally attracts backlinks from sites looking to link to high-quality content. By establishing your content as the new go-to resource, you build authority and gain more backlinks over time.

On the other hand, reaching out to replace outdated links involves finding broken or outdated links on other websites and offering your content as a replacement. Replacing the old links method primarily relies on the existence of outdated links and does not inherently involve creating new, superior content. It’s more about using existing opportunities to gain backlinks by addressing link gaps.

Do You Recommend the Skyscraper Technique for SaaS SEO?

Yes, the Skyscraper Technique is a highly recommended strategy for SaaS SEO for creating content that stands out and ranks well. Here’s why skyscraper technique is effective and how to use it:

  • Improves Content Quality

The Skyscraper Technique focuses on creating superior content by adding updated information, in-depth insights, and enhanced visuals in original content. The improved quality makes your content more valuable and appealing to readers and search engines, increasing the likelihood of attracting more backlinks, higher search rankings, and greater overall engagement from your target audience.

  • Enhances Existing Content

Enhancing existing content means adding new information, refining key points, and improving the overall presentation, making your content engaging and useful. By identifying high-performing content and making the existing content even better, the Skyscraper Technique ensures that your version is more comprehensive, updated, and valuable to readers.

  • Backlink Opportunities

Higher-quality content naturally attracts more backlinks as it signals to search engines that your content is authoritative and valuable. When your content surpasses existing content in depth, accuracy, and engagement, other websites are more likely to link to your website. The increased backlinking not only boosts your site’s search engine ranking but also drives more organic traffic.

  • User Engagement

Superior content naturally leads to higher user engagement. By offering valuable and comprehensive information, you attract more readers, keep them engaged on your site longer, and encourage social sharing and interactions, all of which contribute to better SEO and visibility.

What are the Benefits of Skyscraper Technique for SaaS Websites?

The benefits of skyscraper technique for SaaS websites include higher quality backlinks, improved search engine rankings, enhanced content quality, increased brand visibility and recognition, better user experience, competitive advantage, cost-effective marketing, increased engagement and conversions, and long-term benefits.

Benefits of Skyscraper Technique
Benefits of Skyscraper Technique

The details of the benefits provided by skyscraper technique for SaaS websites are:

Higher Quality Backlinks

By creating superior content through the skyscraper technique allows SaaS websites to attract high-quality backlinks from reputable sources in your niche, which in turn boosts your domain authority. The increased authority signals to search engines that your website is a trustworthy source of information, potentially improving your search rankings. Additionally, high-quality content naturally earns backlinks from other sites looking to provide valuable resources to their audience. When your content is comprehensive, informative, and engaging, other websites are more likely to link to the content, making your website rank higher on search engine results pages (SERPs).

Improved Search Engine Rankings

Skyscraper technique creates comprehensive content that thoroughly covers all aspects of a topic and enables your site to rank for a broader range of relevant keywords, addressing multiple user queries. The depth of your skyscraper content enhances your visibility on search engine results pages (SERPs). As rankings of your SaaS website improve, the website experiences increased organic traffic, drawing more potential customers to your site. The organic  influx of visitors boosts engagement and enhances the likelihood of converting the visitors into loyal customers, driving overall growth for your SaaS business.

Enhanced Content Quality

For SaaS websites, using skyscraper technique results in informative, engaging, and high-quality content. The creation of detailed, well-researched content ensures that your articles and posts provide substantial value to your audience. Comprehensive coverage of topics informs and addresses the needs and questions of your readers, establishing your website as a trusted source of information. Additionally, high-quality content is naturally more engaging and useful, which increases user satisfaction. When visitors find your content compelling and informative, they are more likely to stay on your site longer and explore further, thereby reducing bounce rates.

Increased Brand Visibility and Recognition

By consistently producing top-notch content, your brand becomes recognized as a leader in the SaaS industry, gaining trust and credibility among your audience. Superior content is also more likely to be shared on social media and other platforms, further increasing your brand’s visibility. Due to broader reach more potential customers become aware of your brand, enhancing recognition and attracting a larger audience. As a result, your SaaS brand stands out in the competitive SaaS market, reinforcing its position as an industry leader.

Better User Experience

The skyscraper technique provides better user experience on SaaS websites by providing content which is well-researched, easy to navigate, and highly informative. Users benefit from detailed, useful content that thoroughly addresses their needs and provides valuable insights and solutions. The higher user experience (UX) leads to higher satisfaction of users. Additionally, consistently delivering valuable content builds trust and credibility with your audience. As users perceive your brand as a reliable and authoritative source, their overall perception of your brand improves. SaaS websites benefit from better user experience as users are more likely to engage with the content, spend more time on the site, and convert into paying customers.

Long-Term Benefits

High-quality content created by skyscraper techniques for SaaS websites continues to attract traffic and earn backlinks over time, providing sustainable long term SEO benefits that keep your site visible and relevant. Well-researched, comprehensive content remains valuable and relevant for extended periods, reducing the need for frequent updates and maintenance. The evergreen nature of high-quality content consistently provides value to users, maintaining the content’s effectiveness in driving traffic and engagement. Consequently, your SaaS website enjoys sustained growth and stability, benefiting from long-lasting SEO improvements and continued user interest.

Competitive Advantage

The Skyscraper Technique provides a competitive advantage by enabling your SaaS website to outperform competitors and achieve market differentiation. By creating superior content, your website surpasses competitors in quality and relevance, capturing a larger share of organic search traffic. The increased visibility in SERPs attracts more potential customers and strengthens your market position. High-quality content not only drives more traffic but also differentiates your brand from competitors who may offer less comprehensive or lower-quality resources. The differentiation created by skyscraper technique allows your SaaS website to set a higher standard for content quality, making it challenging for competitors to match the level of detail and insights provided.

Cost-Effective Marketing

Unlike paid advertising, which requires continuous investment, the skyscraper technique involves a one-time effort in creating exceptional content for SaaS websites that continue to drive results for years. Furthermore, by investing in the creation of superior content, your SaaS website achieves high returns on investment (ROI) in terms of increased traffic, leads, and conversions. High-quality content attracts organic search traffic, boosting your site’s visibility and engagement without ongoing ad spend. Improved organic rankings from top-performing content reduce the necessity for expensive paid advertising campaigns, allowing you to allocate resources more efficiently. For SaaS companies, skyscraper technique proves to be a cost-effective marketing strategy, yielding high returns with minimal ongoing costs.

Increased Engagement and Conversions

The skyscraper technique increases engagement and conversions for SaaS websites by creating high-quality, well-optimized content that directly addresses users’ needs, naturally engaging the users. SaaS websites benefit from increased engagement rates, such as longer time spent on the site and lower bounce rates, leading to higher conversion rates as users find the content valuable and are more inclined to trust the brand. Skyscraper technique enhances user experience and boosts SaaS SEO performance, leading to higher search engine rankings and more organic traffic. As users spend more time on the site and interact with your website’s content, the likelihood of conversion grows. Users become more inclined to take desired actions, such as signing up for a trial, requesting a demo, or subscribing to a service, ultimately driving the success of your SaaS website, turning visitors into loyal customers.

How to Use Skyscraper Technique for Best Results?

To achieve the best results with the Skyscraper Technique, especially for SaaS websites, follow the steps below:

Identify High-Performing Content 

Begin by researching and identifying existing content that performs well in terms of backlinks and traffic. Look for articles or blogs within your niche that have gained high engagement.  SEO Tools like Ahrefs, SEMrush, or Moz help in finding the high-performing content and analyze why the content is succeeding .

Create Superior Content 

Once you’ve identified top-performing content, aim to create something even better. Creating superior content means producing content that is more comprehensive, detailed, and valuable. Enhance the quality of your content by incorporating thorough research, updated information, and unique insights. Ensure your content exceeds the original in terms of depth and relevance.

Promote Your Content 

After crafting superior content, promote your content to maximize reach. Use targeted outreach to contact websites, influencers, and industry leaders who have linked to similar content. Share your content on social media platforms, engage in relevant online communities, and utilize email marketing to drive traffic and encourage backlinks.

Monitor and Optimize 

Continuously monitor the performance of your content using analytics tools to track metrics such as traffic, engagement, and backlinks. Assess which aspects are performing well and which areas need improvement. Optimize your content and promotion strategies based on the insights from analytic tools to enhance effectiveness.

Leverage Internal Linking 

Incorporate internal links within your content to guide visitors to other relevant pages on your site. Levering internal linking not only improves user experience by providing additional value but also strengthens the overall SEO of your website by distributing link equity and enhancing site structure.

Utilize Content Repurposing 

Repurpose your content into different formats to reach a broader audience. Turn blog posts into infographics, videos, or podcasts, and share these new formats across various platforms. The content repurposing approach helps attract different types of users and increases the likelihood of acquiring additional backlinks.

Which Types of Linkable Assets are Created with Skyscraper Technique?

The following types of linkable assets are created with skyscraper technique: in-depth guides and tutorials, case studies, infographics and visual content, resource lists and roundups, templates and checklists, expert roundups, and ebooks and whitepapers.

Let’s discuss the types of linkable assets created by skyscraper technique in detail:

  • In-Depth Guides and Tutorials: In-depth guides and tutorials are comprehensive resources that provide detailed step-by-step instructions, explanations, or insights on a specific topic. Using the Skyscraper Technique, in-depth guides and tutorials are created by researching top-performing guides, identifying gaps or outdated information, and creating a more comprehensive, updated, and visually appealing guide that includes additional details, multimedia, and user-friendly navigation. In-depth guides and tutorials establish you as the go-to expert by providing the most comprehensive, up-to-date information on a topic by attracting and retaining users seeking detailed knowledge.
  • Case Studies: Case studies are in-depth analyses of a particular instance, project, or scenario, typically within a business or academic context. A case study examines a real-world situation, detailing the challenges faced, the solutions implemented, and the outcomes achieved. To create case studies using the Skyscraper Technique, start by analyzing popular case studies, then add more detailed data, in-depth analysis, and unique insights. Include visuals like charts or graphs to make complex information more accessible and engaging. Case studies build credibility by showcasing real-world results and deep analysis. 
  • Infographics and Visual Content: Infographics and visual content are visual representations of information, data, or knowledge intended to present information quickly and clearly. Infographics combine images, charts, and minimal text to create an easy-to-understand visual summary of a topic. With the Skyscraper Technique, create infographics by finding successful infographics, then create an improved version by adding more current data, enhancing the design, and presenting the information in a clearer, more engaging way. Infographics and visual content captures attention with engaging and easy-to-digest visuals. Visual content makes complex information more accessible and shareable.
  • Resource Lists and Roundups: Resource lists and roundups are curated collections of valuable resources, tools, articles, or links related to a specific topic. Resource lists bring together various sources or tools in one place for easy access. To create resource lists using the Skyscraper Technique, identify top resource lists in your niche, then compile a more extensive, updated list with better categorization, additional resources, and brief annotations that explain the value of each resource. Resource lists and roundups saves users time by offering a well-curated, comprehensive collection of the best resources.
  • Templates and Checklists: Templates and checklists are pre-designed formats or guides that help users accomplish tasks or organize information. Templates offer a structured layout for documents, presentations, or plans, while checklists provide step-by-step instructions or lists of tasks to be completed. By applying the Skyscraper Technique, create templates and checklists by reviewing existing templates or checklists, then design a more comprehensive and customizable version. Add new features, clearer instructions, and a visually appealing format to make the content more user-friendly. Templates and checklists simplify tasks by providing ready-to-use, customizable tools and makes your content highly practical and valuable.
  • Expert Roundups: Expert roundups are collections of insights, opinions, or advice from multiple experts on a specific topic. An expert roundup typically features quotes or short essays from thought leaders, industry professionals, or subject matter experts. Using the Skyscraper Technique, create a superior expert roundup by looking at popular expert roundups, then gather more diverse opinions from additional experts. Provide deeper analysis of their insights and include multimedia elements like video snippets or interactive content. Expert roundups offers diverse perspectives from industry leaders, adding depth and authority to your content. 
  • Ebooks and Whitepapers: Ebooks are longer-form digital books that explore a topic in great depth, often more comprehensive than blog posts or articles. Ebooks are usually downloadable and may be used for lead generation.In contrast whitepapers are authoritative reports or guides that address complex issues, offering solutions, research findings, or analysis. White Papers are often used in B2B marketing to inform and persuade. E-books and whitepapers provide valuable insights that attract and engage a professional audience.
Picture of Matt Emgi
Matt Emgi
Matt is the Founder and Head of Link Building of EMGI. Matt is an experienced Link Builder and SEO Consultant who has worked with clients across many SaaS verticals - AI SaaS, Lead Gen SaaS, HR SaaS, and Cybersecurity SaaS to name but a few. Matt has built a significant following on LinkedIn and is viewed as one of the top names in SaaS link building.

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