Editorial Links in SEO: Examples and Methods

Dofollow editorial backlinks are the most powerful inbound links in SEO. 

They are difficult to acquire and pass maximum link equity, producing excellent SEO results, such as increased organic rankings and higher traffic from search engines. 

When high-authority websites like popular media publications, influential blogs, and reputable niche-specific domains link to your website, you obtain an organic editorial mention. 

Editorial backlink acquisition should definitely be a part of your link building plan

What is an Editorial Link?

An editorial link is an organic inbound link that is not paid for and is added organically by a content creator or editor due to the relevance and value of the linked page. 

These hyperlinks are contextually relevant, authority-boosting, and non-promotional.

High-quality and naturally acquired editorial links signal trust and credibility to the search engines. 

They are placed at the top-level hierarchy of backlinks and are better than links acquired from FFA (free for all sites like web directories) or PBN (Private Blog Networks solely created to pass link equity). 

Examples of Editorial Links

This SEMrush article links to this Statista resource using the anchor “2 billion daily users”. 

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The link is natural with no exact match anchor and has been given because it provides value to the readers. This is an excellent example of an content-based backlink. 

Similarly, this Help Scout article links to 11 different live chat tools with branded anchors. Again, this is an example of an editorial link in action. 

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You can gain editorial mentions if any website links back to a page on your company site that provides value to its readers. 

Importance of Editorial Links in SEO

Close to 80% of SEOs agree that high-quality links are the most important aspect of their search engine optimization plan. 

Acquiring natural organic links that follow Google link guidelines is the best way to supercharge your SEO rankings. 

Here are the primary advantages of editorial link building:

Signals Authority

They serve as endorsements from reputable sources, signaling to search engines that the linked content is useful and trustworthy.

No Violation of Google Spam Policies

Natural backlinks that comply with link building guidelines do not violate Google’s spam policies. Hence, you can build a strong link profile by acquiring high-quality editorial links.

Improved Rankings

Quality editorial links boost a page's search engine rankings by enhancing credibility and relevance. Higher rankings acquire more potential customers as it helps you reach a larger audience.

Increased Visibility

These types of links can drive referral traffic from authoritative websites, leading to higher visibility and exposure. 

Enhanced Trust

Being cited by credible sources builds trust with search engines, helping to build the site's reputation. With increased trust, you can reach a broader audience to gain more conversions.

Organic Growth

Editorial links are earned through high-quality content and natural promotion, contributing to sustainable, long-term SEO growth.

Top Methods to Naturally Earn Editorial Links

Not all content gets editorial links. There are specific forms of evergreen content, also known as linkable assets, that attract backlinks naturally. 

Here are the prominent strategies to acquire editorial backlinks: 

Original and Link-Worthy Content 

Well-researched and valuable content that addresses industry-specific topics or pain points receives good publicity. Standout and helpful content are valuable assets that prompt relevant sites to link to them for their credibility and relevance. 

To gain editorial links, publish original content, surveys, or case studies that offer new insights or data. Websites and journalists cite these studies, generating editorial links as they reference your original findings.

Well-Written Guest Blog Posts

High-quality and unique guest posts that provide insightful data or case studies increase the chances of earning authoritative editorial backlinks from reputable domains.

When acquiring links using guest posting, include contextual links within the main content body instead of the author bio. In-content and dofollow links using non-promotional natural anchors pass link equity to boost your search engine optimization strategy.  

You can get in touch with our guest posting service to help you acquire editorial link placements on niche-specific websites. 

Infographics and Visual Content Creation

Create compelling and informative infographics that visualize complex data or processes. 

Visual content like infographics is highly shareable and can attract editorial backlinks from high-authority sites looking to enhance their authoritative content with rich visuals. 

Strategic Press Release Submissions 

Company news promotion through digital PR is one of the best link building tactics for securing relevant link placements. 

Distribute official press releases about noteworthy developments, achievements, or innovations within your company. 

Well-crafted press releases containing exciting news can attract media attention and result in earned backlinks from major news outlets and industry publications. 

You can also try our link insertion service to increase your chances of acquiring quality links. 

Networking with Industry Influencers

Build relationships with bloggers, niche micro-influencers, and thought leaders in your industry. 

Engaging with social media celebrities through interviews, collaborations, or social media can lead to editorial mentions and links as part of their content distribution and digital marketing strategy. 

The TLDR in 2024

Editorial links are awarded based on merit, meaning they are given by publishers who find the linked content valuable and relevant to their audience. 

As a result, natural links are highly regarded for boosting your marketing campaigns, improving rankings, and enhancing the overall trustworthiness of your backlink profile.

You should acquire high-quality and authoritative backlinks to improve your organic search rankings and traffic. 

Link quality and relevance are more significant than quantity when it comes to editorial link acquisition. 

Hence, links from quality domains are more valuable than inbound links acquired from low-authority or spammy sites. 

FAQs

What makes editorial links unique compared to other backlink types?

Editorial links are naturally earned through informative content rather than through direct blogger outreach or manipulation. 

Other backlinks are acquired through low-value link acquisition techniques, such as directory links, social bookmarking links, article submissions, and PBN or paid link placements, compared to earned links. 

What should I avoid when seeking editorial links?

Avoid link farms and low-quality link building services that can harm your site's reputation. 

Carefully check website quality, such as organic traffic, spam score, domain authority, and domain rating, before approaching them to gain editorial links. 

Also, make sure your selected sites for editorial guest blogging do not link to bad neighborhoods or low-quality sites using spammy and exact-match anchors. 

What is the difference between nofollow and dofollow editorial links?

Dofollow editorial links pass link juice from the referring page to the linked page. In comparison, nofollow editorial links, marked with the rel="nofollow" attribute, do not pass link value. 

However, nofollow editorial links from high-authority and high-traffic domains are still useful as they contribute to link diversity and help in maintaining natural link profiles. They also assist in acquiring referral traffic to your main site. 

Ajay Paghdal
Outreach Labs Founder
🕒 4 mins read
Last updated on

Sep 01, 2024

Jul 26, 2024

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Article by
Ajay Paghdal
Outreach Labs Founder
Ajay enjoys tinkering with new link building strategies, building teams and processes around it and in general, has enjoyed being a part of the industry for the past decade.

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