Are you discovering it robust to get your content material rating on serps? Struggling to safe that one high-authority backlink regardless of your finest outreach efforts? Nervous that you simply’re lacking out on priceless site visitors?

You are not alone. It’s straightforward to really feel like your well-crafted articles are buried beneath a mountain of on-line noise. You can be writing bestsellers worthy of a Pulitzer, however folks may nonetheless not discover and hyperlink to your content material. It simply isn’t that straightforward anymore.

However what when you might flip the script and make your content material stand head and shoulders above the remaining? What if the backlinks come on their very own in your content material? 

It is time to introduce you to the Skyscraper Method, a confirmed Web optimization technique. With just a little assist from Web optimization instruments, you’ll be able to flip current content material into one thing larger, higher, and extra partaking that may naturally entice many backlinks.

The method was created by Backlinko’s Brian Dean again in 2015 and gained immense reputation after the natural search site visitors to his complete website doubled in solely 14 days.

On this information, we’ll present you precisely how you can use it to spice up your rankings and construct high-quality backlinks with no large price range or a model. There’s even just a little guidelines and a listing of instruments you need to use to make it straightforward. And simply so , we refreshed this text by following the skyscraper method.

Let’s dive in.

Understanding the Skyscraper methodology intimately

The Skyscraper Method searches for fashionable and well-received weblog posts about subjects you or your small business usually cowl. When you’ve discovered a bit that matches the standards and already has a considerable viewers, you then search for methods to enhance the content material.

Authentic information factors,  listicles, infographics, movies, user-generated content material, and any new and distinctive methods you may make the content material higher – significantly better.

The aim right here is to ship the identical message as the unique weblog submit however with your personal twist. There are myriad methods to do that, which we’ll discover later.

However only a fast word: the Skyscraper Method isn’t about copying or replicating current content material. As a substitute, it’s about enhancing it from each angle, making your model so complete and priceless that readers received’t have to look wherever else as soon as they discover your article. The aim is to create the definitive useful resource on the subject.

When you’re carried out creating the improved content material, attain out to the best folks, aka the websites which have linked to the high-ranking content material.

For the reason that website’s already linked to related content material, they’re clearly within the matter and have already got a longtime viewers base for such blogs. This implies all you need to do is get your weblog on their radar, and lo and behold, you’ve landed a promising hyperlink alternative. 

Why the Skyscraper Method works

Since its launch, the skyscraper method has been the surefire method to success for a lot of content material entrepreneurs. Listed below are three explanation why it really works.

1. There’s a confirmed demand

You hit the jackpot each time you discover current content material that’s already pulling sizable site visitors. It’s because there’s already assured demand for the subject you’re contemplating. So that you now not need to scour for hours to jot down articles your readers aren’t searching for. Piggybacking this fashion cuts down the time and effort required to provide new content material whereas additionally including to the knowledge accessible to your readers.

All you need to do from right here on is perceive why that matter was so successful. Was it emotional or entertaining? Did it remedy some issues that your readers are experiencing? Have a look at what makes it nice so you’ll be able to study to do the identical, however significantly better.

2. There’s an current viewers

The viewers you’re writing for has already gone over the unique content material. All you need to do now’s construct upon that content material, and also you’ll have the potential to get them excited. Including visuals and different value-adding content material may have them from the get-go.

In case your matter is well timed, you must also checklist influencers and types who’ve shared the unique content material. This fashion, you’ll be able to attain out to them instantly and faucet into their viewers whereas they’re nonetheless intrigued.

3. There’s appreciable rating potential

Extra seemingly than not, Google has already ranked the prevailing useful resource effectively if it was so successful. It intuitively follows then that when you create one thing even higher, you’ll be able to topple over the unique piece. You possibly can simply entice extra site visitors and outrank the earlier weblog submit – particularly when you win over these high-quality hyperlinks. You continue to come out on prime by placing in simply half the hassle. Seems like a fairly candy deal.

The Skyscraper methodology: confirmed examples

The Skyscraper Method has helped numerous web sites obtain huge features in search rankings, site visitors, and backlinks. Let’s dive into some real-world case research of how this technique has been efficiently carried out.

Brian Dean’s Backlinko

Brian Dean, the creator of the Skyscraper Method, used this methodology to extend natural site visitors to certainly one of his posts on Backlinko by 110% in simply 14 days.

• Content material: He created an in-depth information on “Google’s 200 Rating Elements”
• Strategy: Recognized a preferred however outdated submit, created a extra complete model, and reached out to websites linking to the unique
• Consequence: 110% enhance in natural site visitors, with the submit rating #1 for “Google rating components.”

This submit is refreshed usually, the most recent being in September 2024. It’s nonetheless the #1 consequence for the key phrase “Google rating issue,” together with 150+ key phrases within the prime 3 place, bringing in 8,000+ month-to-month site visitors and 17,600+ backlinks. 

G2

G2’s content material and offsite Web optimization workforce use the tactic to gasoline their fast site visitors progress within the B2B software program evaluate area.

Content material: Refreshed and expanded weblog posts, complete software program class insights

Strategy: Recognized and up to date outdated weblog posts, turning them into extra complete, present sources focusing on top-ranking content material in extremely aggressive software program classes. Provided extra in-depth insights than their opponents

Consequence: Contributed considerably to G2’s progress from zero to over one million month-to-month guests inside a 12 months.

The skyscraper methodology remains to be a part of G2’s link-building technique and helps it persistently acquire a whole lot of high quality backlinks from extremely authoritative websites. 

Find out how to execute the Skyscraper methodology

Are you able to attempt the method out for your self? Right here’s a brief guidelines that can assist you alongside the best way! Let this be your holy grail for executing the Skyscraper Method. 

1. Analysis and discover alternatives

To begin with the Skyscraper Method, you first have to do your analysis. Don’t blindly select a weblog just because it’s doing effectively. That clearly received’t add any worth to you or your organization. As a substitute, prohibit your analysis to related subjects that you simply need to cowl.

• Begin by defining the key phrases and subjects related to your area of interest and viewers. Take into consideration what subjects your target market is trying to find, basically key phrase analysis.
• Use instruments like Google Key phrase Planner, Ahrefs, Moz, or Ubersuggest to establish high-traffic key phrases. These instruments will enable you uncover what individuals are trying to find and what opponents are rating for.

For instance, G2 needs to succeed in out to Web optimization professionals and encourage them to discover Web optimization instruments accessible of their market. Focusing on Web optimization-related key phrases, reminiscent of “Skyscraper Method” or “Web optimization instruments,” is smart to draw this viewers and supply worth associated to their work.

To ensure, focusing on the KW is helpful, you need to use key phrase analysis instruments like Ahrefs and Semrush.

2. Analyze current top-ranking content material

Uncover top-ranking revolutionary content material based mostly in your goal key phrases. You possibly can simply search instantly on Google to see what ranks on the primary web page for these key phrases. 

Consider the strengths and weaknesses of the top-ranking content material. Evaluate what makes the prevailing content material profitable: robust information, construction, or engagement. Search for gaps within the data, outdated statistics, or lacking multimedia parts.

Ask your self: How will you make your content material extra complete, partaking, or priceless than what’s already on the market?

Listed below are some methods to do it.

• Use the Aggressive Evaluation characteristic in Ahrefs to do a competitor evaluation on a scale. Add your current content material URL and the URLs of the top-ranking pages. You may get a listing of key phrases for which the top-ranking content material ranks, however you do not. 

• Use the Website Explorer characteristic on Ahrefs to investigate every of the competitor’s content material. Right here, you’ll be able to see the key phrases the competing article is rating for. Use these queries to know the search intent and look to fulfill them in your article. 

• Analyze the backlinks and their anchors to see what information factors or data they’re linking again to. This offers you an thought of what you’ll be able to add to your content material to draw these hyperlinks. 

2. Create higher content material

You could have the unique content material in entrance of you. How are you going to enhance it? You possibly can’t simply copy-paste it, throw some fancy jargon in there, and assume your work is completed. As a substitute, ample methods exist to enhance the content material into a bit that genuinely excites the viewers.

Listed below are a number of of them:

 

Use the content material evaluation you probably did within the earlier step to enhance your content material. Concentrate on including worth in these key areas:

• Handle gaps: Fill in any gaps the unique content material left. Did it overlook new developments or methods? In that case, incorporate them into your model to make your content material extra priceless.
• Add visuals: Improve your content material with visible storytelling. Add infographics, charts, or movies that make the knowledge simpler to digest. Guarantee your visuals are related and add readability to your factors.
• Add information factors: Strengthen your arguments by incorporating authentic information factors, up to date statistics, and research-backed insights. This provides credibility and makes the content material extra partaking for readers.
• Increase on depth: Flip the content material right into a holistic information, making it longer and extra complete. Add contemporary, up to date statistics, real-life examples, and actionable insights. 

You should use instruments like Clearscope to seek out gaps, grade your content material, assess how effectively it covers related key phrases, and grade its general Web optimization efficiency. 

For instance, whereas engaged on this text, I seen that current content material on the Skyscraper Method lacked data on superior instruments and techniques, reminiscent of utilizing AI instruments for content material evaluation or influencer outreach for link-building. I added a bit on superior Skyscraper Methods to deal with this hole, highlighting new approaches no different article consists of.

3. Listing down potential distribution companions

Though you’re writing a weblog that’s certain to be a hit, that doesn’t assure that every one the folks you contact will publish it. You want a listing of potential blogs, manufacturers, and influencers keen on your content material to succeed in out to.

Brian Dean had an outreach success charge of 11%. This won’t sound like so much, however it made a terrific affect. How so? Do not forget that it isn’t the amount that issues; it’s the standard. An 11% success charge can carry superb outcomes in case your complete checklist consists of high-quality hyperlinks. A great way to begin the checklist is to jot down down the blogs you already know of. Then, leap on-line to seek for related blogs with an overlapping viewers. Here is the way you do it. 

• Use the Hyperlink Intersect characteristic below Competitor Evaluation on Ahrefs to seek out the checklist of referring domains linking to the top-ranking content material that you do not have. These are your potential targets.

• It’s also possible to have a look at the competitor content material’s backlink profile and export the checklist of web sites linking to it utilizing Website Explorer on Ahrefs.

  

The checklist often consists of spam and irrelevant websites. Clear it as much as embody solely high-authority websites with greater area scores and related content material.

Discover the related individual to succeed in out to for these domains. They would be the author, editor, web site proprietor, or somebody from the Web optimization or web site administration groups. You should use instruments like Hunter.io to seek out their e-mail addresses or join with them on LinkedIn. Preserve this checklist prepared. 

4. Promote the brand new and improved content material

Exhibiting social proof is a necessity now earlier than you’ll be able to attain out to any websites or manufacturers. You need to first create a buzz along with your viewers to determine such proof. So get in your social media channels and promote your piece.

• Create social copies: Put together about 20 snippets from the content material to share on social media, together with variations of your headline, key quotes, statistics, or compelling takeaways. Tailor these snippets to totally different platforms (Twitter, LinkedIn, and many others.) for optimum attain. 
• Use visuals: Incorporate your content material’s eye-catching pictures, infographics, or quick movies to make the posts extra partaking and encourage shares.
• Tag influencers: Point out or tag related influencers or trade specialists in your posts to extend visibility and encourage engagement.
• Activate Your Community: Ask your workforce {and professional} community to assist amplify the content material. Their shares and engagement will help construct preliminary momentum and enhance the attain of your submit.

As soon as your content material begins gaining traction, it turns into extra engaging to exterior web sites and companions, who’re likelier to hyperlink to it.

5. Share with the best folks

At this level, your enhanced content material may have gained some momentum, so it’s lastly time to share it. Right here, you need to use the checklist of potential distribution companions from step two of the guidelines.

Right here’s how you can do an efficient outreach marketing campaign:

• Personalize your outreach: Whereas you could have a template, at all times personalize every e-mail to display real curiosity. Point out particular factors about their website, and clarify why your content material will resonate with their viewers.
• Spotlight mutual advantages: Clearly talk what you are asking for and the way sharing your content material will profit them and their followers. Make it compelling, whether or not it’s filling gaps in current data or offering extra depth.
• Place your content material: Allow them to the distinctive promoting level of your content material over the piece they already hyperlink to.
• Make it straightforward: Connect a direct hyperlink or copy of the content material to allow them to simply evaluate it with out leaping by way of hoops.

6. Work onerous to remain related

Any content material is simply helpful if individuals are keen on studying it. Over time, nevertheless, the usefulness of even probably the most excellent content material begins to say no. Others do the identical as you and publish even higher content material. Newer trade developments emerge. So, your as soon as “new and improved” content material will finally grow to be stale.

The one method to defeat this curse and be certain that your content material stays evergreen is to maintain updating it. It’s onerous work, however it continues to repay since you proceed to create worth and, consequently, rank effectively.

Superior skyscraper methods for 2025

As Web optimization continues to evolve, so ought to your method to the Skyscraper Method. Listed below are some superior methods to maintain your content material aggressive:

Use generative AI instruments

Love ’em or hate ’em, generative AI instruments are extraordinarily useful. Use AI-powered instruments like ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini to generate contemporary content material concepts, analyze gaps in current content material, and optimize for key phrases.

AI goes past key phrase density and search quantity, providing distinctive insights reminiscent of tone evaluation, content material construction enhancements, and even suggestions for audience-specific changes so long as you immediate them effectively.

For instance, I used ChatGPT to investigate this text, revealing content material gaps that conventional Web optimization instruments missed.

Interactive content material

Engagement is the whole lot. To extend web page and person interplay time, incorporate interactive parts like quizzes, calculators, or free instruments into your content material that customers may discover priceless.

This may additionally make your content material extra shareable, enhancing your link-building potential. In reality, free instruments are discovered to be driving extra site visitors to web sites. 

Knowledge-driven content material

With latest algorithm updates and the rise of generative AI instruments, one factor is obvious: Google prioritizes Expertise, Experience, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness (EEAT) greater than ever. On this state of affairs, authentic analysis and unique information are key to standing out.

By conducting surveys, utilizing trade information, or creating proprietary experiences, you’ll be able to supply insights that others can’t replicate. Knowledge-driven content material boosts your authority and makes your content material extra priceless, credible, and shareable.

The consequence? Better probabilities of attracting high-quality backlinks and enhancing your rankings. Content material backed by stable information isn’t simply most popular—it’s important for Web optimization success.

Multimedia integration

Enhance engagement by including high-quality multimedia parts like movies, podcasts, or explainer animations. These enhance the person expertise and assist your content material rank higher in search outcomes. If you’re not including multimedia to your content material, contemplate creating one when distributing it on social media channels. 

Skyrocket your site visitors 

The potential of the Skyscraper Method is obvious. By remodeling current high-performing content material with contemporary insights and selling it successfully, you’ll be able to considerably increase natural site visitors, entice high quality backlinks, and strengthen your model’s authority.

Nonetheless, reaching success with this technique calls for each creativity and persistence. So, persistently ship smarter, extra priceless content material than your opponents. You’ll create a strong basis for long-term progress and sustained visibility.

Wish to enhance extra? Examine confirmed on-page Web optimization methods from an Web optimization professional.  

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This text was initially revealed in 2020 and has been up to date with new data.