How to Use the Skyscraper Technique for Link Building That Works

Learn how to develop links using the skyscraper strategy to improve your SEO and obtain high-quality backlinks. This blog post breaks down the step-by-step process, best practices, and real-world examples to help you outrank competitors and grow your website authority.

Introduction

Link building might sound like an old-school SEO tactic, but it’s far from outdated. In fact, when done right, it’s one of the most powerful ways to boost your rankings, drive organic traffic, and build real authority.

And that’s where the Skyscraper Technique comes in. It’s smart. It’s scalable. And it works—if you do it right.

What is the Skyscraper Technique?

Origin of the Skyscraper Technique

The Skyscraper Technique was first presented by Backlinko’s Brian Dean. The concept? Take a top-performing piece of content in your niche—and build something even better.

Think of it like this: If you find the tallest building on the block, the only way to stand out is to build one taller. That’s the skyscraper mindset.

The Core Concept

Find content with a ton of backlinks.
Create a much better version of it.
Speak with the same individuals that provided links to the original, as well as others.

Why It Works So Well

People love linking to awesome resources. If your version is more up-to-date, detailed, and visually appealing, chances are high they’ll switch their link to your content instead.

Step-by-Step Guide to the Skyscraper Technique

Step 1: Find Popular Content in Your Niche
Use tools like Ahrefs or BuzzSumo to locate articles with tons of backlinks. Look for:

Evergreen topics
Dated content
Thin resources

Example: An article on “Top 10 Email Marketing Tools” from 2019 still ranks and has 150+ backlinks? That’s your target.

Step 2: Create Something Even Better

This is where the magic happens.

Make it Longer
More depth = more value. Expand the article with more tools, use cases, and pros/cons.

Add Fresh Data and Stats
Old stats make content feel stale. Use up-to-date research and cite credible sources.

Improve Visual Appeal
Use custom graphics, infographics, or embedded videos. Clean formatting matters!

Step 3: Outreach to the Right People
Reach out to everyone linking to the original content. Inform them that you have produced something much more superior.
Tip: Mention why your piece is superior—more accurate, updated, in-depth, etc.

Tools to Power Your Skyscraper Strategy

Ahrefs – Find high-ranking pages and backlinks

BuzzSumo – Discover viral content in your niche

Semrush – Keyword gap and backlink analytics

Hunter.io – Find emails for outreach

How to Identify the Right Audience for Outreach

Not all links are created equal. Focus on:

Bloggers in your niche
Editors of relevant publications
Webmasters of resource pages
Websites already linking to outdated or weaker content

Email Outreach Best Practices

Crafting Subject Lines That Get Opened
Don’t be spammy. Be clear and curious.

“Updated Guide to [Topic] – Better Than the One You Linked!”
“Loved Your Post on [Topic]—Here’s a Newer Version You’ll Like”

Personalization Matters
Mention their name, website, or an article of theirs you enjoyed.

Follow-Up Without Being Annoying
One follow-up is fine. Two is pushing it. Don’t overdo it.

Measuring the Success of Your Campaign

Track:

Backlinks earned
Response rate from outreach
Increase in organic traffic
SERP position changes

It usually takes a few weeks to months for full benefits to appear.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Targeting Irrelevant Topics – Make sure the content is in your niche.

Weak Content Upgrades – Don’t just rewrite it—upgrade it.

Ignoring Follow-Ups – Sometimes one nudge is all it takes.

Real-Life Examples of Skyscraper Technique Success

Example 1: SaaS Company
Improved a listicle of productivity tools, added videos, reviews, and user ratings. Earned 80+ new backlinks.

Example 2: Marketing Blog
Rewrote a beginner’s SEO guide with interactive quizzes and real case studies. Traffic doubled.

Example 3: Affiliate Site
Enhanced an outdated product comparison post. Secured links from 12 authority blogs.

Advanced Tips to Supercharge Your Results

Use Interactive Content – Quizzes, calculators, charts

Embed Videos and Infographics – Visuals boost engagement

Add Original Research or Case Studies – Nothing beats fresh, first-hand data

Also Read
The Ultimate Guide to Broken Link Building for Local SEO
Top Strategies for Broken Link Building for Local SEO Success
Niche Specific Link Building for B2B SaaS Sites

The Skyscraper Technique for B2B vs B2C

Key Differences in Approach

B2B content needs more data, trust, and credibility
B2C can be more casual, fun, and visually-driven

Adjusting Tone and Content Depth
B2B = Formal, detailed
B2C = Friendly, engaging

Combining the Skyscraper Technique with Other Strategies

Guest Posting – Pitch your skyscraper content as a reference

Broken Link Building – Replace dead links with your improved post

HARO and PR Outreach – Mention your skyscraper post when offering expert quotes

Does the Skyscraper Technique Still Work in 2025?

Absolutely—if done right. But lazy efforts won’t cut it anymore.
Google rewards quality, depth, and real value. So bring your A-game.

Conclusion

The Skyscraper Technique isn’t a shortcut—it’s a smart path. When executed with care and creativity, it can earn you powerful backlinks, long-lasting traffic, and improved domain authority.

Just remember: quality beats quantity every time.