Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is a crucial aspect of digital marketing, and the Skyscraper Technique is one of the most effective strategies for boosting your SEO efforts. Developed by Brian Dean from Backlinko, this technique involves finding high-ranking content with many backlinks, identifying its weaknesses, and creating a superior piece of content.
This article will delve into the intricacies of the Skyscraper Technique, answering some of the most frequently asked questions about this SEO strategy. From understanding the basics of the technique to finding high-ranking content, identifying weaknesses, creating superior content, and reaching out to publishers, we’ll cover it all.
Whether you’re new to SEO or looking to refine your strategies, this comprehensive guide to the Skyscraper Technique will provide valuable insights and practical tips to help you boost your SEO efforts and achieve higher search engine rankings.
What Is the Skyscraper Technique in SEO?
The Skyscraper Technique is a highly effective link building strategy in SEO that was developed by Brian Dean from Backlinko. It involves finding high-ranking content with many backlinks in your niche, analyzing its weaknesses, and creating an even better piece of content. This technique aims to attract more backlinks and increase your website’s visibility in search engine results.
With the Skyscraper Technique, you begin by identifying top-performing content in the search engine results pages (SERPs) that are relevant to your brand or industry. This content typically has a significant number of backlinks, indicating its authority and popularity. You then conduct a thorough analysis to determine its shortcomings.
Once you have identified the weaknesses of the existing content, it’s time to develop a superior piece of content that builds upon those shortcomings. Your content should be comprehensive, well-researched, and provide even more value to users than the top-ranking content you found initially.
Finding High-Ranking Content with Tons of Backlinks for The Skyscraper Technique
Finding high-ranking content with numerous backlinks is crucial for implementing the Skyscraper Technique effectively. Here are some steps you can follow to identify such content:
- Start by conducting keyword research related to your industry or niche. Look for keywords that are relevant to your brand and have a high search volume.
- Perform a search on search engines like Google using these keywords. Analyze the top-ranking pages in the search results.
- Use SEO tools like Semrush to gather data on the backlinks of these top-ranking pages. Semrush’s Backlink Analytics tool can provide valuable insights into the backlink profiles of these pages.
- Export the backlink data into a spreadsheet for further analysis. This will help you identify the publishers and websites that are linking to the top-ranking content.
- Look for patterns and commonalities among the backlinks. Pay attention to the types of websites linking to the content, such as blogs, news sites, or industry publications.
- Identify the publishers who have linked to multiple pieces of top-ranking content. These publishers are likely to be interested in similar content and may be more receptive to your outreach.
- Consider using tools like Hunter.io or manually searching for contact information on the websites of the publishers you have identified. Look for email addresses or contact forms that you can use for your outreach.
- Make a list of the publishers and their contact information, organizing them based on their relevance and potential interest in your content.
Identifying the Weaknesses of Existing Content
When implementing the Skyscraper Technique, it’s essential to identify the weaknesses of the existing content you are targeting. By capitalizing on these weaknesses, you can create a better piece of content that attracts more backlinks and outranks the competition. Here are some common weaknesses to look out for:
Lack of comprehensiveness: The existing content may not cover the topic in-depth or may miss out on crucial information. You can capitalize on this by creating a more comprehensive and detailed piece of content that leaves no stone unturned.
Outdated information: Content that hasn’t been updated in a while may contain outdated information or statistics. By providing the most up-to-date and accurate information, you can position your content as a valuable resource for users.
Poor formatting and readability: If the existing content is poorly formatted or difficult to read, you can improve upon it by using clear headings, subheadings, bullet points, and concise paragraphs. This will make your content more visually appealing and easier to digest.
Lack of visual elements: Visual elements such as images, infographics, and videos can enhance the user experience and make the content more engaging. If the existing content lacks these visual elements, you can incorporate them into your piece to make it more appealing and shareable.
Weak or irrelevant examples: The existing content may provide weak or irrelevant examples to support its points. You can strengthen your content by including relevant and compelling examples that resonate with your target audience.
Developing a Better Piece of Content
Developing a better piece of content is a crucial step in implementing the Skyscraper Technique effectively. Here are some steps you can follow to create a superior piece of content:
- Research extensively: Start by conducting thorough research on the topic you are targeting. Gather information from reputable sources, studies, and industry experts to ensure your content is well-informed and accurate.
- Identify content gaps: Analyze the existing top-ranking content and identify any gaps or areas that can be improved upon. Look for topics or subtopics that are not covered in-depth or are missing entirely.
- Create a compelling headline: Craft a headline that grabs attention and accurately reflects the value of your content. Make it clear, concise, and intriguing to entice readers to click and engage with your content.
- Organize your content: Structure your content in a logical and organized manner. Use clear headings and subheadings to break down the information and make it easier for readers to navigate.
- Provide comprehensive information: Ensure that your content covers the topic comprehensively. Include all relevant information, examples, and supporting evidence to make your content a valuable resource for readers.
- Make it visually appealing: Incorporate visual elements such as images, infographics, and videos to enhance the visual appeal of your content. Visuals can help break up the text and make it more engaging for readers.
- Optimize for SEO: Conduct keyword research and incorporate relevant keywords naturally throughout your content.
How Do I Reach out To Publishers?
Reaching out to publishers who are already linking to the content you are targeting is a crucial step in the Skyscraper Technique. Here are some steps to effectively reach out to these publishers:
Research the publishers: Take the time to research and understand the publishers you are reaching out to. Look for their contact information, website, and social media profiles to gather insights about their interests and preferences.
Personalize your outreach: Avoid generic outreach emails and personalize each message. Address the publisher by name and mention their website or specific content they have published. This shows that you have done your research and increases the chances of a positive response.
Highlight the value: Clearly communicate the value of your content and why it would be beneficial for the publisher’s audience. Explain how your content builds upon the existing content and provides additional insights or information.
Be concise and compelling: Keep your outreach email concise and to the point. Highlight the most important aspects of your content and explain why it stands out. Use compelling language to grab the publisher’s attention and make them curious about your content.
Offer exclusivity: Consider offering the publisher exclusive access to your content or an opportunity to be the first to share it. This can incentivize them to link to your content and give it more visibility.
Follow up: If you don’t receive a response initially, don’t be discouraged. Follow up with a polite and friendly reminder after a few days.
Example of an Email to Send to Publishers
Subject: Exclusive Content Opportunity for [Publisher’s Website]
Dear [Publisher’s Name],
I hope this email finds you well. My name is [Your Name] and I am a [Your Position] at [Your Company]. I am reaching out to you because I recently came across your article on [Topic of their article] and found it extremely insightful.
I noticed that you linked to a piece of content on [Topic of the content they linked to] from [Website they linked to]. I believe this content provides great value to your readers.
However, I have created a more comprehensive and updated piece on the same topic that I believe your audience would find even more valuable. My piece covers [Briefly describe what your content covers and how it is superior to the existing content].
I would be thrilled if you could take a moment to review my content and consider linking to it from your article if you find it valuable. I believe it would provide additional value to your readers and enhance their understanding of the topic.
Here is the link to my content: [Your Content’s URL]
I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Best regards,
[Your Name]
This email is concise, personalized, and clearly communicates the value of your content. It also respects the publisher’s time and leaves the decision to link to your content in their hands.
Examples of Successful Uses of the Skyscraper Technique for SEO
Many businesses and websites have successfully used the Skyscraper Technique to boost their SEO efforts. Here are a few examples:
Backlinko: Brian Dean, the founder of Backlinko, is the creator of the Skyscraper Technique. He used this technique to increase his search traffic by 110% in just 14 days. He identified a popular keyword, “Google’s 200 Ranking Factors”, found the top-ranking content for this keyword, and created a more comprehensive and visually appealing piece of content. His post attracted a significant number of backlinks and quickly rose to the top of the search results.
HubSpot: HubSpot is another company that has successfully used the Skyscraper Technique. They identified a popular piece of content about Instagram marketing, analyzed its weaknesses, and created a more comprehensive and up-to-date guide. Their post attracted many backlinks and significantly increased their organic traffic.
Ahrefs: Ahrefs, a leading SEO tool, has also used the Skyscraper Technique to boost their SEO. They identified a popular keyword, “SEO tips”, and created a comprehensive guide with 200+ SEO tips. Their post attracted a large number of backlinks and ranked highly in the search results.
These examples demonstrate the effectiveness of the Skyscraper Technique in improving SEO. By creating superior content and reaching out to the right publishers, you can attract more backlinks, increase your organic traffic, and improve your search engine rankings.