Quality backlinks still matter for rankings and authority. In 2026, they also can help you show up in AI answers across Google AI Overviews, Perplexity, ChatGPT, and Gemini.
Mentions, co-citations (when your brand appears alongside trusted names in your space), and topic associations shape how models understand what your brand is about. And one way to build those signals is with backlinks.
When relevant sources link to you and mention you alongside specific topics or problems, LLMs start to associate your brand with those areas.
This guide covers 10 tactics that build the kind of authority signals that work in both traditional search and AI-generated answers. (New to backlinks? Start with our intro to backlinks before diving in.)
How has link building evolved in 2026?
Link building has evolved in 2026 because links no longer affect just search rankings. They also help you earn citations in AI systems like ChatGPT, Perplexity, Gemini, and Google AI Overviews.
High-authority backlinks still matter, but the brands winning today are those that earn consistent mentions across publications, podcasts, and directories. That kind of recognized presence gets cited by both search engines and AI systems.
What makes a high-quality backlink or citation in 2026 has shifted, too. The old criteria (a high domain authority score, a follow link, an exact-match anchor) have been replaced by something more contextual.
- Relevance: The source and page are tightly aligned with your topic
- Trust: Real editorial standards, real audience, low spam footprint
- Context: The mention explains what you do and why you matter, not just a naked URL
- Co-citation proximity: You appear near authoritative brands and concepts in your space (when your brand shows up alongside trusted names that AI systems already recognize, those systems start to treat you as a peer)
- Persistence: The page stays live, updated, and continues to get crawled and cited
- Retrievability: The mention exists in formats AI systems can reliably extract: body copy, resource lists, podcast show notes and transcripts, YouTube descriptions, and newsletter archives
10 tactics for getting backlinks that actually work
The backlink building tactics below range from quick wins you can implement today to long-term approaches that build authority over time.
1. Find unlinked brand mentions and turn them into links
Unlinked brand mentions are the fastest backlinks you can earn because the publisher already knows your brand.
When a site mentions your brand without linking, a short outreach email asking them to add a link is often enough.
But don't stop there.
If the surrounding copy describes your brand vaguely or inaccurately, suggest a small wording tweak. A sentence like "project management tool Acme" becoming "project management tool Acme, which helps remote teams track sprint velocity" does two jobs: it earns a link and strengthens the topic associations AI systems use to understand what your brand is about.
How to find unlinked brand mentions
You can find unlinked brand mentions by searching directly with Google operators or using a dedicated monitoring tool.
Here’s how to search:
- Google search operators: Search
"Brand Name" -site:yourdomain.comto surface pages that mention you without linking back. Add exclusions to cut noise:-site:facebook.com -site:x.com -site:linkedin.com -site:youtube.com -site:reddit.com. For product-specific mentions, try "Brand" "review", "Brand" "alternatives", or "Brand" "feature". - Podcast and transcript databases: Search show notes pages, transcript hosts, and episode pages for your brand name
- YouTube: Search "Brand" + keyword. On each top video, check the description, pinned comment, and any linked resources section
- Roundup surfaces: "Best tools" listicles, comparison pages, template roundups, and newsletter archives (like Substack) may mention brands without linking. These pages often rank well and carry strong topical relevance, making them high-value targets.
You can also find unlinked mentions with the help of the Brand Monitoring app.
After signing up, create a query for your brand name:
Fill out the information on the following screen and click “Create query.”
Go to the “Mentions” report and apply these filters:
- Click “Sentiment” and check the boxes next to “Neutral,” “Positive,” and “Unknown” (avoid contacting sites that mention you negatively)
- Click “Mention details,” select “Backlinks,” and click the circle next to “Without backlinks”
Now you have a list of places where your brand was mentioned without a link. From here, focus on mentions where:
- The context is positive or neutral
- The site has decent authority and relevance to your industry
- Adding a link would genuinely add value for the source’s readers
- The mention appears in evergreen content (not archived posts or old news)
SEO and UX agency Semcore credits link building for around 30% of its revenue (about $660K annually), driven by tactics including outreach to sites with positive brand mentions.
How to ask for a link
You can ask for a link by sending a brief, personalized email that asks the creator to turn your brand mention into a backlink.
Here’s a sample template:
Subject: Quick question about [Article Title]
Hi [Author Name],
I noticed you mentioned [Your Brand] in your article "[Article Title]" — thank you for the reference!
Would you be open to adding a link to [specific URL] on that mention? It would help readers who want to learn more about [specific topic/feature you offer].
Best,
[Your Name]
And look for times where you can improve the messaging around your brand. A neutral mention like "some teams use Acme for this" doesn't signal credibility or relevance. But a positive, specific one like "Acme is a go-to tool for ecommerce teams automating inventory tracking" builds a topic association that carries weight in both search and AI answers.
When the surrounding copy is thin or off-brand, add a second ask:
I also noticed the mention reads as "[current copy]." If you're open to it, something like "[suggested revision]" would give your readers a clearer sense of what we do — happy to leave the edit entirely up to you.
Keep the tone light and frame your request as helpful context for their readers rather than a correction.
Success metrics: Links added per outreach round, percentage of mentions converted to links, quality of the surrounding context (does it describe what you do clearly?). Track AI citation growth before and after for branded queries to see whether mention upgrades are moving visibility.
2. Fix broken backlinks to your site
Fixing broken backlinks to your site is one of the easiest ways to reclaim links.
Links that return a 404 error or don’t work stop passing value to you. They also hurt the linking site's user experience, which gives them a reason to want them fixed.
How to Find Broken Backlinks
Use Semrush's Backlink Audit tool to identify broken backlinks you can fix.
After setting up Backlink Audit, go to the "Target Pages" report and check the box beside "Target URL error" to see a list of broken URLs on your domain.
Find a URL that you have a relevant replacement for. Then click the number in the "Active" column to view its active backlinks.
Next, prioritize your efforts on high-quality, relevant websites that mention your brand in a positive light.
Check the Authority Score (a score that measures a domain’s strength) and Toxicity Score (a score that measures how spammy a domain is) to assess quality. It’s usually best to avoid sites with toxicity scores in the 60-100 range.
Success metrics: Links reclaimed (and the quality of those referring domains), decline in 404 hits and crawl errors for the fixed URLs.
How to ask sites to fix your broken links
When you've identified a worthwhile opportunity to address a broken backlink, find the email address of a relevant contact and send a concise message like this:
Subject: Broken link on your page
Hi [Article Writer],
I noticed that your page [URL] contains a broken link to our website.
Could you please update this with a link to [new URL]?
This will ensure your readers can find the right page.
Best,
[Your Email Signature]
Follow up as needed.
Track links reclaimed and make sure the number of 404 errors for your backlinks declines to ensure your strategy is working.
3. Inherit competitors' broken backlinks
Inherit competitors' broken backlinks by suggesting your link as a replacement so you can insert your brand into conversations where rivals were previously mentioned.
Getting backlinks that used to belong to competitors works because web admins don't like linking to broken pages, and you're offering an easy solution.
How to find competitors’ broken back links
Find competitor broken backlink opportunities by using a specialized tool.
Open Semrush’s Backlinks tool and analyze a competitor’s domain.
Then, go to the “Indexed Pages” report and check the box next to “Broken Pages.”
You’ll see a list of pages on your competitor’s site that don’t work properly, sorted according to the number of domains that link to them.
Starting at the top, identify a page where you have (or could create) a good replacement. Then, click the corresponding link to see a list of the page’s backlinks.
Filter for “Active” and “Follow” links. This ensures you only see links on websites that are still active and passing the most SEO value.
Then, judge which backlink opportunities are worth pursuing based on the page quality, nature of the backlink, and the context of the link.
Success metrics: Replacements won, new "competitor-adjacent" placements (you show up where they used to), growth in AI inclusion for comparison and alternatives queries.
How to pitch for broken links
Pitch for broken links by sending an email to the site owner notifying them of the broken link and including your link as a replacement.
Here’s a template you can use to request a backlink to your site:
Subject: Broken link on your page
Hi [Name],
I noticed your article [Linked Article Title] contains a broken link on the text “[anchor text].”
If you’re looking for an alternative, we’ve just published [Linked Article Title]. It’s a good fit because [explanation]. Plus, it’ll ensure your readers can find what they’re looking for.
Best,
[Your Email Signature]
Because you’re offering value (improving readers’ experiences), the source may be more likely to accept your pitch.
Know if your efforts are working by tracking the number of replacements won.
4. Leverage partnerships, then expand into affiliates and integrations
Leveraging partnerships can turn existing relationships into backlinks and brand mentions — with higher acceptance rates than cold outreach because the relationship already exists.
Partnerships can build consistent associations across the web that help AI systems understand what your brand is known for. The more your brand appears alongside the same relevant entities (tools, topics, industries), the stronger those associations become in AI-generated responses.
How to find partnership link opportunities
Finding partnership link opportunities starts with mapping the relationships and platforms you already have access to.
Start with your existing relationships:
- Vendors you use
- Agencies you work with
- Clients and customers
- Communities you sponsor
- Integration partners
Then look for places where those relationships can become links like:
- Testimonials
- Customer stories
- Partner pages
- Member directories
- Integration directories
Use Backlink Analytics to find your competitors' sponsored links (paid placements or affiliate links other sites have added in exchange for compensation).
After entering your competitor’s domain, click “Backlinks” and select “Sponsored.”
These sites may be more likely to accept a partnership request from you as they’ve already accepted sponsored content from your rivals.
Partner outreach template
To get a link on a partner’s website, reach out with a brief message outlining how your partnership will be beneficial.
Your outreach email depends on the structure of your partnership. Here’s one you can use to gain sponsored content on a partner’s website:
Hi [Name],
I've been following [Company] for a while and think there's a strong overlap between our audiences.
We'd love to explore a partnership and would be happy to compensate you for featuring us in your content or resources. Would you be open to discussing what that could look like?
Best,
[Your Email Signature]
Important: Don't suggest a "you link to me, and I'll link to you" agreement. This form of reciprocal linking is against Google's spam guidelines.
Once partnerships are working, scale them. An affiliate program turns satisfied customers and creators into ongoing link-building partners. Integration directories, marketplace listings, and app store pages give you stable, crawlable mentions that compound over time. Each new placement reinforces the same category associations, which is exactly what AI systems use to understand what you do.
Success metrics:
- Partner mentions earned: Pages on partner sites that now link to or cite your brand
- Affiliate content published: Posts and reviews from active affiliate publishers, tracked in your affiliate platform dashboard
- Referring domains added: New sites linking to you, tracked over time in Backlink Analytics to confirm links are live
5. Get featured on resource pages and recommended hubs
Getting featured on resource pages places your brand on curated lists that people bookmark, share, and return to — alongside other trusted sources in your category.
Resource pages are typically maintained by educational institutions, industry organizations, or authoritative blogs.
Because they're built to last and updated selectively, inclusion signals to search engines, LLMs, and readers that you're a recognized authority in your space.
How to find relevant resource pages
Find resource pages in your niche using specific Google search operators:
- [topic] + "resources"
- [topic] + "recommended tools"
- [topic] + intitle:resources
- [topic] + inurl:resources
- [topic] + intitle:Best
For example, searching [gardening] + "resources" will surface pages that curate gardening links.
Look for pages updated within the past year with working links and up-to-date content. And focus on domains with genuine credibility and topical authority in your space.
How to pitch to resource pages
To ask for a link on a resource page, find the page owner's contact information and send a brief pitch explaining why your content deserves inclusion.
Use this template:
Subject: Resource suggestion for [Page Title]
Hi [Name],
I found your resource page on [topic] at [URL] and noticed you've curated [specific detail about their list].
I recently published [Your Content Title] at [URL], which covers [specific value it provides]. It might be a useful addition to your list because [brief explanation].
Either way, thanks for maintaining such a helpful resource.
Best,
[Your Name]
Success metrics: Resource page inclusions, referral traffic and assisted conversions from those pages, AI citations from list-style sources for your category queries.
6. Respond to media requests and become a go-to source
Responding to media requests can earn you editorial links from high-authority publications by providing journalists and content creators with expert quotes, statistics, or commentary.
Consistent brand mentions in authoritative publications signal topical authority to both search engines and AI systems (even mentions without links).
How to find media requests
Finding media requests starts with building a dedicated source inbox so opportunities land in one place rather than getting lost across platforms.
Subscribe to HARO, Qwoted, and Featured.com. Each platform has slightly different audiences and industries, so test a couple to see which generates the best opportunities for your niche.
When you sign up as a source, create a detailed profile that highlights your specific areas of expertise. "Marketing expert" won't stand out, but "B2B SaaS content strategist" or "local SEO specialist for healthcare practices" will.
When reviewing requests, prioritize ones where you can respond with a specific example, stat, or original insight.
Also follow journalist newsletters in your category and communities where editors and writers congregate, such as #journorequests on X.
How to write responses that get featured
Writing responses that get featured comes down to speed, specificity, and credentials as journalists often pick the first useful answer they receive.
So, focus on responding to requests within your area of expertise where you can provide specific, actionable insight.
When you find a relevant request:
- Respond within two to four hours: The earlier you respond, the more likely your pitch is to be accepted
- Answer the exact question asked: Don't pitch your services or go off-topic
- Keep it concise: A few sentences is enough for most requests, unless they specifically ask for more
- Provide unique insight: Avoid generic advice the journalist could find anywhere
- Include your credentials: Briefly explain why you're qualified to comment
- Request attribution: Include the exact URL you want the publication to link to
Track your results by monitoring linked and unlinked brand mentions.
Success metrics: Published placements (linked and unlinked), topical spread of mentions (what you get cited for), AI inclusion on queries tied to those topics.
7. Get interviewed on podcasts
Getting interviewed on podcasts can earn you a backlink from the show's website, typically in the show notes or guest bio section. Like this:
Getting backlinks by being a podcast guest works because podcast appearances position you as an expert on specific topics while naturally placing your brand in relevant industry conversations.
How to find the right podcasts
Find podcasts in your niche where your expertise would add value using these methods:
- Search "[your industry] podcast" on Google
- Search on platforms like Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Podchaser, or Listen Notes
- Look for podcasts your competitors have appeared on (search their name + "podcast")
Prioritize shows that publish show notes on a website, upload transcripts (or at least detailed episode summaries), or create YouTube versions with descriptions. Each of these turns your spoken mention into crawlable, citeable text that both search engines and AI systems can extract.
How to pitch yourself as a podcast guest
You can pitch yourself as a podcast guest by reaching out to a host and explaining why you’re relevant to their podcast and what unique perspective you bring.
Here's a template you can use:
Subject: Guest idea: [Specific Topic] for [Podcast Name]
Hi [Host Name],
I've been listening to [Podcast Name] for [time period], and really enjoyed your recent episode on [specific episode].
I'm [Your Title] at [Your Company], and I've helped [specific achievement or experience]. I'd love to share insights on [two to three specific topics] that would be valuable for your audience.
Would you be open to having me on the show?
Best,
[Your Name]
Once your guest podcast has been published, check the show notes and/or guest bio section to confirm you received a link.
Success metrics: Show notes links added, transcript mentions and indexing, growth in branded queries and AI mentions after appearances.
8. Write guest posts for relevance, not just for links
Guest posting means writing articles for other websites in your industry. It works because the right placements put your brand in front of relevant audiences and create the kind of category-specific associations that search engines and AI systems use to understand what you're known for.
They help search engines and LLMs build more context around your brand and also help you reach a relevant audience.
How to find guest posting opportunities
To find guest posting opportunities, look for sites that accept contributors in your niche using these searches:
- [your industry] "write for us"
- [your industry] "guest post guidelines"
- [your industry] "contribute"
- [your industry] "submit an article"
When deciding which sites to prioritize for guest posting, focus on those with:
- Clear editorial standards (they publish quality content regularly)
- Authority in your space (they're recognized as credible sources in your industry and rank for relevant keywords)
Focus on delivering genuine value in your articles rather than writing purely for the backlink.
How to pitch your guest post ideas
Once you've identified a good opportunity, send a brief pitch to the editor (many sites list contributor guidelines with contact information).
Your pitch should include:
- Why you're qualified to write on this topic
- Two to three specific article ideas relevant to their audience
- Links to your previous writing
Here's a template to use:
Subject: Guest post idea: [Specific Topic]
Hi [Editor Name],
I'm [Your Title] at [Your Company], and I've [relevant experience or achievement]. I've been reading [Publication Name] and noticed your recent coverage of [specific topic].
I'd like to contribute an article on [topic]. Specifically, I could cover:
- [Angle 1]: [One-sentence description]
- [Angle 2]: [One-sentence description]
- [Angle 3]: [One-sentence description]
I've previously written for [Publication 1] and [Publication 2]. Here's a sample: [link]
Would any of these fit your editorial calendar? If so, I’d be delighted to send a draft for you to review.
Also, do you allow contextual links within guest posts if they add value for readers?
Best,
[Your Name]
Some sites permit contextual links within the article if they're relevant and add value for readers. Asking this upfront can help you prioritize opportunities.
Some sites also allow you to include a link in your author bio. In these cases, you may also want to provide text for your author bio.
When you write your author bio, include:
- Brief credentials (1 sentence)
- What readers can find on your site
- Direct link to your most relevant page
Example: "[Your Name] is a content strategist who has helped 50+ SaaS companies improve their organic traffic. Learn more about content strategy at [Your Site]."
Success metrics: Live placements, mention quality (category and use case clarity), follow-on citations in other posts and AI summaries.
9. Replicate competitor backlinks, then replicate competitor citations
Replicating competitor backlinks and citations helps you find sites that already link to similar brands, which can increase the chance they’ll link to you.
For example, your rival might have a quality backlink because their CEO gave an interview to an industry publication, and you might be able to arrange an interview with the same site.
Or perhaps your rival is listed in an industry round-up that could include your brand, too.
Replicating competitor backlinks gets you into their topical neighborhood for traditional search. Replicating their citations (the unlinked mentions, the listicle inclusions, the comparison pages) is what gets you into the same neighborhood in AI answers. The two together are how you start showing up as a peer or alternative when AI systems answer category queries.
How to find replicable opportunities
Finding replicable opportunities starts with identifying your three to five closest competitors and seeing which backlinks they have that you don’t.
Open Backlink Gap, enter your own domain and up to four competitors’ domains. Then, click “Find prospects.”
The tool will present sites that link to at least one competitor but not to you, along with the following data:
- AS: The Authority Score (AS) of the referring domain. Generally, backlinks from higher-AS sites are more valuable for SEO.
- Monthly Visits: The estimated number of monthly visits to the referring domain. The higher the number, the larger your prospective backlink’s potential reach.
- Matches: The number of analyzed competitors that have backlinks on this domain. The more competitors a site links to, the more likely it is to link to you, too.
You can see details about your competitors’ backlinks by clicking the arrows in the corresponding columns.
Click through to the source pages to find backlinks that you may be able to — and want to — replicate.
Click through to the source pages and look specifically for: "best tools" listicles, comparison and alternatives pages, review sites, newsletters with public archives, and YouTube videos that link out in descriptions. These pages already link to multiple vendors in your category, making them your highest-probability targets.
Once you've built your shortlist, contact each site with a personalized pitch. Make a clear proposal and explain what's in it for them.
How to reach out to target websites
Reach out to target websites with an email where you ask for a link from a specific page.
Here’s an email template you can use:
Subject: Possible addition to [article]
Hi [Name],
I was reading your article [Article Title] on [Website]. It was a really helpful piece, especially the part about [specific detail that shows you actually read it].
I thought you might also find our resource on [topic] valuable:
[Your URL]
It offers [original data, expert insights, step-by-step breakdown, tool, etc.], which could be a useful addition for your readers.
If you think it fits, I’d love to be included as an additional reference.
Thanks for your time, and keep up the great work on [Website].
Best,
[Your Name]
Success metrics: New referring domains, competitive share of voice in AI answers for category queries.
10. Create content people want to cite, not just link to
Creating content people want to cite is how you build a backlink and citation profile that compounds over time without ongoing outreach.
Creators often link to pages that add value to their own content — especially if that page has content that would be difficult to replicate.
Some of the most linkable formats include:
- Comprehensive guides: In-depth, regularly updated guides earn backlinks when creators reference them to support their own content. Focus on topics where people need authoritative information they can trust and reference over time.
- Free tools: Tools that solve specific problems earn backlinks because creators refer their audiences to them as practical next steps. Examples include ROI calculators, template generators, content graders, and assessment tools. The key is solving a concrete problem your audience faces regularly.
- Original research: Industry surveys, data studies, and benchmarks give creators facts to reference. Focus on questions your audience is actively trying to answer; the studies that earn the most backlinks are the ones that provide definitive answers.
For example, Semrush's study on the impact of AI search on SEO traffic has attracted more than 9K backlinks from over 1.3K unique domains. Those links place Semrush in conversations about AI search alongside the specific insights the study uncovered, giving LLMs and search engines useful context about Semrush's expertise.
How to create citation magnets that earn links
Creating citation magnets starts with choosing topics that people are likely to mention in their content and formats that are difficult to replicate (like original data).
You can identify topics that people are likely to mention by reviewing the top-linked pages in your niche.
Enter a competitor’s URL into Backlink Analytics and head to the “Indexed Pages” report.
Filter for pages with high referring domains and look for patterns in what type of content earns the most links.
For example, Semrush’s roundup of stats has earned backlinks from nearly 2,500 domains. If you were in the same industry, you might consider creating a similar piece of content.
How to grow mentions for your asset
Growing mentions for your asset starts with proactive outreach. Don't wait for creators to find it organically.
Search for articles that already cover your topic and could benefit from citing your asset as a source. Then send a short, direct pitch:
Subject: Data source for your article on [Topic]
Hi [Name],
I noticed your article on [topic] at [URL]. We recently published [asset name] — it covers [specific stat or insight] that might add useful context for your readers.
Here's the link: [URL]
Happy to answer any questions about the methodology.
Best,
[Your Name]
How to build branded strategies
Coining your own technique gives you a long tail of citations every time someone references the strategy. Brian Dean's Skyscraper Technique and Bryan Harris's Moving Man Method are two well-known examples. Each has been cited in thousands of articles, and most of those citations point back to the originating site.
Three steps:
- Develop or repackage a strategy: This can be a new approach you've used internally, a refined version of something already in the wild, or a combination of existing tactics under a new framework
- Give it a unique, memorable name: Avoid generic descriptions ("the link-building approach"). The name should be specific enough that someone searching for it lands on you.
- Publish and promote: Publish it on your site as the canonical version, then guest post about it on other industry sites. A short video helps. Spread it on Reddit, LinkedIn, X, and any community where your audience already discusses these tactics.
Done well, the strategy becomes the citation. Anyone who searches for the term lands on your asset, and AI systems will associate your brand with the technique whenever it comes up in a category query.
Success metrics: Referring domains, reuse indicators (screenshots, embeds, citations over time), AI citations for the asset URL. If you've coined a branded strategy, track how often the term appears in third-party content and whether your asset is the source most commonly cited.
How to measure AI visibility
Measuring AI visibility tells you how often your brand appears in AI-generated responses — and what those responses say about you.
The AI Visibility Toolkit is your starting point for establishing a baseline and tracking progress over time.
Enter your domain to see how your brand surfaces across ChatGPT, Perplexity, Gemini, Google AI Overviews, and AI Mode. Then monitor these key metrics:
- AI Visibility Score: A composite measure of how prominently your brand appears in AI search compared to competitors
- Share of Voice: Your share of category mentions across AI platforms, useful for benchmarking against named competitors
- Sentiment: Whether AI platforms describe your brand positively, neutrally, or negatively
- Prompts: The actual user queries that surface your brand or your competitors
Monitor these metrics monthly. Spikes in topic associations often follow successful outreach: new press mentions, resource page placements, or published research. Drops can signal that a competitor has moved into the same topical space more aggressively.
Start building high-quality backlinks
Backlinks remain essential for SEO and are also valuable for helping AI systems recognize your relevance.
No matter which tactics you decide to pursue, use the Link Building Tool to find prospects, manage your outreach, and track results in one place. Then, refine your approach based on what works.
Frequently asked questions
How can beginners get backlinks?
Beginners can best get backlinks through methods that don’t require advanced technical skills, like reclaiming unlinked mentions or writing guest posts. Focus on one method, test it with five to 10 attempts, then refine your approach before scaling.
Is buying backlinks legal?
Buying backlinks is legal but violates Google's spam guidelines and can result in ranking penalties. Instead of buying links, focus on earning them through the tactics outlined in this guide — they're more sustainable and won't risk your site's visibility.
Are link swaps safe?
Link swaps at scale or as a primary tactic violate Google's spam guidelines and can result in ranking penalties. Occasional reciprocal links between genuinely related sites are generally fine, but building a strategy around them is risky. Earn backlinks instead by creating valuable content, building partnerships, or contributing expert insights that naturally warrant links.
How long does it take to get backlinks?
Getting backlinks takes anywhere from a few days to several months depending on the techniques you use. Quick wins like turning unlinked mentions into linked mentions or fixing broken backlinks can generate results in a matter of days, while content-based strategies like creating original research or comprehensive guides may take months to attract natural links.