| name | link-building-strategy |
| description | Link building, backlink strategy, link acquisition, outreach plan. Covers linkable asset identification, tactic selection, and 12-week outreach playbook with templates. This is a tactics generator — it does NOT measure the user's backlink profile, domain authority, referring domain counts, or competitor backlink gaps numerically. Those require an Ahrefs / Majestic / Semrush / Moz MCP (Path B). The user can still hand-paste exported data from those tools if they have it.
|
| argument-hint | [optional: path to Ahrefs/Moz export] [--non-interactive] |
| allowed-tools | Read Glob Grep Write Bash WebSearch WebFetch |
Link Building Strategy Skill
Generate a complete link acquisition tactics playbook and a 12-week action plan. This skill is a tactics generator + outreach system, not a backlink analyzer. If the user wants numerical backlink profile data, direct them to a Path B MCP integration.
Cross-model note
Works identically on Opus 4.7 / Sonnet 4.6 / Haiku 4.5. Most of this skill is reasoning + planning; WebSearch calls in Phase 2 parallelize cleanly across competitors.
Execution: parallel-first
- Phase 2 link gap discovery: WebSearch calls per competitor independent — batch
- Phase 3 linkable asset audit: content file Reads in parallel
- Phase 4 tactic selection: reasoning step
- Phase 5-7: planning/template generation
Capability Honesty
Read references/CAPABILITIES.md. Key constraints:
- Numerical backlink counts / referring domains / DA/DR require Ahrefs / Majestic / Semrush / Moz — Path B
- "Expected DA from tactic X" estimates cannot be verified without those tools — treated as directional, NOT measured
- What this skill DOES: identify linkable asset opportunities, generate outreach tactics + templates, structure a 12-week outreach cadence, observe link opportunities via WebSearch mentions
If the user pastes exported data from Ahrefs / Moz / Semrush, parse and use it. Without that data, the skill runs in qualitative mode.
Phase 1: Current Link Profile Assessment (qualitative OR data-driven)
If User Has Exported Backlink Data
If the user provides Ahrefs / Moz / Semrush / Ubersuggest exports or paste, parse and summarize:
- Total referring domains
- Total backlinks
- DA / DR score
- Top 10 linking domains by authority
- Toxic link patterns (spam farms, PBNs, irrelevant foreign domains)
Classify domains into qualitative tiers:
| Tier | Quality Label | Typical Examples |
|---|
| A | Premium | Major publications, .edu, .gov |
| B | Solid | Industry blogs, established sites |
| C | Low-mid | Small blogs, directories |
| D | Low/Risky | Spam farms, PBNs, foreign junk |
If User Does NOT Have Exported Data
Run in qualitative mode. Ask the user:
- "Do you know of any recent backlinks to your site?"
- "Have you had any press mentions, guest post placements, or podcast appearances?"
- "Do you maintain any free tools, calculators, or original research that others might link to?"
- "Are you in any niche directories or industry lists?"
Recommend the user integrate a link-data MCP (Ahrefs / Majestic / Moz / Semrush) to unlock numerical assessment. In the meantime, proceed with qualitative planning.
Toxic Link Check (only with data)
Flag patterns visible in the export:
- Domains with DA < 5 and no real content
- Sites in unrelated foreign languages with no topical connection
- Known link farms or PBN patterns
- Exact-match anchor text appearing suspiciously often
Recommend submitting a Google Disavow file if Tier D links exceed ~15% of total.
Phase 2: Link Gap Analysis (observable via WebSearch)
Step 1 — Identify Competitors
Use the 3 competitor URLs the user provides, or suggest top 3 ranking sites for the user's primary keyword (via WebSearch).
Step 2 — Discover Observable Mentions (parallel WebSearch per competitor)
For each competitor:
WebSearch('"competitor.com" -site:competitor.com')
WebSearch('"competitor brand name" recommendation OR review OR resource')
Collect domains that appear in results and cross-reference across competitors to find sites linking to multiple competitors but not the user.
Note: This finds observable mentions, not a complete link graph. Comprehensive backlink audit requires Path B. Observable mentions are still the highest-leverage outreach targets — these are sites that already demonstrated willingness to link to similar content.
Step 3 — Prioritize Opportunities
Rate each opportunity on a 1-5 scale:
- Relevance — How closely does the linking site match the target niche?
- Authority signal — Is the site clearly a well-known publication vs. a small blog? (qualitative without Path B)
- Accessibility — Does the site accept contributions, have a contact form, list an editor?
- Link type potential — Could a contextual, in-content link be earned?
Priority = (Relevance + Authority Signal + Accessibility + Link Type) / 4. Pursue 4.0+ first.
Phase 3: Linkable Asset Audit
Links cannot be earned without something worth linking to.
Existing Content Review
Evaluate the user's current content for link-worthiness. Strong linkable assets include:
- Original research or data — Surveys, studies, industry benchmarks
- Comprehensive guides — "Ultimate guide to X" that genuinely earns the title
- Free tools or calculators — Interactive resources people reference
- Templates and frameworks — Downloadable resources others cite
- Infographics or visual data — Shareable visual content
- Controversial or unique opinions — Strong takes that spark discussion
Content Gap: What to Create
Recommend 3-5 new "citation magnet" ideas based on the user's industry:
- Original Data Play — Survey customers or analyze internal data; publish findings with charts. Journalists and bloggers cite original data.
- The Definitive Resource — Single best page on a subtopic, 3x better than what currently ranks.
- Free Tool or Calculator — Even a simple spreadsheet hosted as a Google Sheet earns links.
- Named Framework — Branded methodology (e.g., "The 3R Content Framework"). Named concepts get cited.
- Annual Report or Index — Yearly state-of-the-industry report. Becomes a recurring link magnet.
Branded Strategy Opportunities
Help the user coin a term or framework unique to their brand. Requirements:
- Simple and memorable (3-5 words max)
- Genuinely useful as a mental model
- Easy to reference in other people's content
- Searchable (someone who hears it can Google it and find you)
Phase 4: Tactic Selection
Reference: references/link-building-tactics.md for expanded playbooks.
Based on the user's available time, budget, and business type, recommend 3-5 tactics.
Tactic Menu
| # | Tactic | Effort | Success Signal (qualitative) |
|---|
| 1 | Skyscraper Technique | 15-20 hrs | Low-to-moderate hit rate; higher on genuine 10x content |
| 2 | Broken Link Building | 8-12 hrs | Low hit rate but warm prospects (they already linked) |
| 3 | Moving Man Method | 10-15 hrs | Moderate hit rate when replacing rebranded/shut-down resources |
| 4 | Resource Page Link Building | 5-8 hrs | Low-to-moderate; works best with strong topical fit |
| 5 | Digital PR / Original Research | 20-40 hrs | High authority when landed; lower frequency |
| 6 | HARO / Media Requests | 3-5 hrs/week | Moderate authority, steady cadence if you stay consistent |
| 7 | Strategic Guest Posting | 8-15 hrs | 10-30% acceptance on well-targeted niche pitches |
| 8 | Link Reclamation | 2-4 hrs | High hit rate on unlinked brand mentions — quick win |
| 9 | Competitor Link Gap Outreach | 10-15 hrs | Low hit rate but pre-qualified prospects |
| 10 | Link Roundups | 2-3 hrs/week | Low-to-moderate; compounds over time |
| 11 | Podcast Guesting | 3-5 hrs per appearance | Moderate-to-high booking rate in niche shows |
| 12 | Testimonial Link Building | 1-2 hrs | High hit rate — easy win for tools you actually use |
| 13 | Content Transformation | 5-10 hrs | Passive earning via distribution |
| 14 | Local Community Links | 2-5 hrs | High hit rate for local businesses |
| 15 | Affiliate / Partner Programs | 20+ hrs setup | Ongoing passive earning |
Honest framing on success rates: The rates above are qualitative ("low / moderate / high hit rate") because actual rates vary wildly by niche, pitch quality, and relationship building. Any percentage numbers in industry guides (e.g., "5-15% success") should be treated as ballpark, not measured.
For detailed descriptions and execution steps, consult references/outreach-templates.md.
Phase 5: LLM Co-Citation Strategy (AEO-Specific)
Modern link building accounts for AI-generated answers. Links train the data AI models use to recommend brands.
Goal: Get Mentioned Alongside Industry Leaders
- Publish comparison content — "X vs Y vs [Brand]" articles. AI models learn brand-peer associations.
- Reddit and Quora presence — Answer questions in niche threads; mention the product naturally where relevant. These platforms are heavily used as AI training data.
- Earn roundup mentions — Get included in "Top 10 tools for X" and "Best resources for Y" articles.
- Third-party reviews — G2, Capterra, Trustpilot, niche review sites. AI models reference these aggregators.
- Build cross-platform consensus — If multiple independent sources mention the brand in similar context, AI models are more likely to recommend. Aim for consistent messaging across earned mentions.
Phase 6: The 50/50 Plan
Link building fails when only creating content or only doing outreach. Split effort evenly.
50% — Creating Link-Worthy Content
- Publish 1 linkable asset every 2-4 weeks
- Each piece targets a specific tactic (data study for Digital PR, guide for Skyscraper)
- Quality over quantity
50% — Active Promotion and Outreach
- Outreach emails every week
- Track every email in a simple spreadsheet (date, recipient, tactic, status, result)
- Follow up exactly once, 5-7 days after first email
Weekly Targets by Available Hours
| Monthly Hours | Weekly Outreach | Monthly Content | Expected Links (qualitative) |
|---|
| 10 | 10-15 emails | 1 piece | Trickle |
| 20 | 20-30 emails | 1-2 pieces | Steady |
| 40 | 40-60 emails | 2-3 pieces | Strong cadence |
| 60+ | 60-100 emails | 3-4 pieces | Aggressive |
Note: Numerical link-count forecasts are unreliable without real measurement. The qualitative labels reflect observed cadence differences, not predictions.
Phase 7: Outreach Templates
Six ready-to-use templates: broken link notification, skyscraper outreach, resource page pitch, guest post pitch, link reclamation request, roundup submission.
For all email templates with full text, consult references/outreach-templates.md.
Always customize with specific details. Never send a generic email.
Output: 12-Week Link Building Plan
Generate a week-by-week plan tailored to available hours and selected tactics.
Weeks 1-2: Foundation
- Phase 1 link profile assessment (qualitative if no data)
- Phase 2 link gap analysis via WebSearch
- Phase 3 linkable asset audit
- Set up outreach tracking spreadsheet
- Create target list of 50 prospects
- Outreach: 0 emails (prep)
- Content: Outline 1 linkable asset
Weeks 3-4: First Outreach
- Start with highest-hit-rate tactics: link reclamation + testimonials
- Send first outreach batch
- Publish first linkable asset
- Submit to 3-5 link roundups
- Sign up for HARO / Connectively
- Outreach: 15-25 emails/week
Weeks 5-6: Scale Up
- Launch first skyscraper or broken link campaign
- Follow up on unanswered emails from weeks 3-4
- Respond to 5+ HARO queries per week
- Engage in Reddit / Quora threads (Phase 5)
- Outreach: 20-30 emails/week
- Content: Publish second linkable asset
Weeks 7-8: Diversify
- Resource page outreach
- First guest post pitches (3-5)
- Write 2-3 testimonials for tools the business uses
- Analyze what's working — double down on best-converting tactic
- Outreach: 25-35 emails/week
Weeks 9-10: Optimize
- Review response rates — refine subject lines + templates
- Publish third linkable asset (original data or free tool)
- Pitch 2-3 podcasts
- Create comparison content for LLM co-citation (Phase 5)
- Outreach: 25-35 emails/week
Weeks 11-12: Systematize
- Document repeatable process per tactic
- Build recurring monthly calendar
- Set up Google Alerts for brand mentions (link reclamation pipeline)
- Plan next quarter's linkable assets based on what earned most links
- Outreach: 30-40 emails/week
12-Week Outputs (Qualitative)
What you can track: outreach emails sent, replies received, mentions earned, confirmed new links, content published.
What requires Path B to track: total referring domain count, DA/DR change, numerical "DA improvement +2-5".
Key Reminders
- Personalize every email. Generic mass emails get ignored.
- Track everything. Log every outreach email + outcome.
- Follow up once. 5-7 days later. More than that is spam.
- Focus on relevance over authority. A perfectly relevant DA 30 link often outperforms an irrelevant DA 60 link.
- Be patient. Link building compounds over months.
- Never buy links. Purchased links violate Google's guidelines.
- Honest about measurement. Track what you can observe. Recommend Path B MCPs for numerical backlink data.
