What Is Editorial Link Building: How To Get The Best Links

Earning quality backlinks has long been the bane of many SEO professionals’ existence – in fact, 55.7% of experts say link building is the most difficult part of SEO.

And within link building, the hardest links to get are often the most valuable: editorial links.

These coveted backlinks (the kind you don’t pay for or ask for) can skyrocket a site's authority and rankings, yet they’re notoriously difficult to get. It’s no wonder people call them the “holy grail” of link building.

Why are editorial links so challenging? Unlike easily acquired links (think paid placements or link swaps), editorial links have to be earned organically by creating something worth linking to.

There’s no shortcut or simple exchange – which is exactly why Google and other search engines trust them more.

Many SEO practitioners have felt the frustration of pouring resources into content, only to see it attract zero backlinks (indeed, roughly 2/3 of web pages have no backlinks at all).

Some resort to quick-fix schemes like buying links or spamming forums, only to end up with penalties or wasted budget.

“In general, I’d try to avoid [actively building links]… so that your content stands on its own and make it possible for other people to link to your content.” – John Mueller, Google

In other words, the best links are those you earn naturally – editorial links given out of genuine merit. Google’s own guidelines warn that any links “that weren’t editorially placed or vouched for” are considered unnatural, underscoring how highly true editorial links are regarded.

The good news? By focusing on creating value and leveraging smart strategies, you can increase your chances of getting these high-quality links. This comprehensive post will demystify editorial link building – covering what editorial links are, why they matter for SEO, how to earn them through proven tactics, the challenges involved, best practices to follow, and real-world case studies demonstrating their impact.

If you’re ready to move beyond quick wins and build links that truly stand the test of time, read on.

What are editorial links?

Editorial links are backlinks that a website earns organically, rather than through any form of exchange or payment.

In plain terms, an editorial link is a link another site chooses to give your content because they genuinely value it as a reference or resource. As Ahrefs succinctly defines it: an editorial link is an inbound link “that’s not traded for, asked for, or paid for”. These are also aptly known as “earned links” or “natural links.”

To put it another way, did someone link to you because they thought your site is awesome? If so, that’s an editorial link. Such links typically occur when you publish something truly link-worthy – for example, a news site quoting your industry study, or a popular blogger citing your helpful guide.

In these cases, the linking site’s editor or author decided on their own to reference your content. Editorial links are usually embedded within relevant editorial content (like an article or blog post), not in sponsored sections or user-generated comments.

It’s important to distinguish editorial links from other types of backlinks. Backlinks is a catch-all term for any link pointing to your site, but editorial backlinks are a special subset – they are earned organically through merit, whereas acquired links are those you actively pursue via outreach, guest posting, link exchanges, or payment.

For example, if you write a guest post and include a link to your site, that link was placed by you (not purely editorial). Likewise, a directory listing or a partnership link you negotiated is not an editorial link. Editorial links are not asked for, not paid for, and not part of any explicit trade. They are voluntarily given by other site owners because your content earned that reference.

To illustrate: imagine you publish a research report with original data. A journalist writing an article on that topic might discover your report and cite it with a link – that’s an editorial link.

In contrast, if you emailed the journalist asking for a link or offered a guest article, the link would no longer be purely “unsolicited.” Editorial links, by definition, arise without direct solicitation.

This natural quality is precisely what makes editorial links so valuable. Since they result from editorial discretion, they align with Google’s webmaster guidelines (which frown upon manipulative link-building). Google considers links as votes of confidence – earned editorial links are the most legitimate votes you can get.

In fact, Google’s Search Advocate has stated that “creating links that weren’t editorially placed or vouched for… can be considered a violation” of guidelines.

By contrast, true editorial links “don’t violate Google’s spam policies” at all. They are the kind of links search engines want to count.

Why editorial links matter

Editorial links aren’t just a feel-good, white-hat concept – they carry tangible SEO power. Here’s why they matter so much in today’s search:

They boost rankings with quality link equity

Google’s algorithm views links as “votes” of confidence, and editorial links are the strongest votes since they’re given freely.

Pages with more backlinks tend to rank higher in search results. A widely-cited study by Backlinko found that the #1 result in Google has 3.8x more backlinks on average than positions #2–10.

Correlation isn’t causation, but it’s clear that backlinks (especially high-quality ones) correlate with better rankings. In competitive SERPs, the site earning genuine editorial mentions often outranks those with only artificial or low-quality links.

They are favored by Google’s algorithms

Because editorial links are earned naturally, search engines assign them more weight. Google puts

“MUCH more weight on editorially-placed links”

compared to links you create yourself. An editorial backlink from a reputable publication signals to Google that your content is trustworthy and authoritative (since an independent third-party vouched for it).

These links directly support Google’s E-E-A-T principles (Experience, Expertise, Authority, Trust) – particularly the “Authority” and “Trust” aspects.

One high-authority editorial link can often outperform dozens of low-quality links in terms of SEO impact.

They adhere to Google’s guidelines (safe and future-proof)

Editorial links, by nature, do not violate Google’s link schemes policy. This means you won’t incur penalties for having a strong editorial link profile.

In contrast, tactics like buying links or excessive link exchanges could trigger algorithmic or manual penalties (e.g. Google’s Penguin update targeted unnatural link patterns). By focusing on editorial links, you’re building rankings the “right” way – in a manner that’s algorithm-update-resistant. As Search Engine Journal emphasizes,

“Editorial links are the best kind of links, the kind Google wants you to build.”

In short, they carry SEO benefit without the risk.

They bring referral traffic and brand credibility

An editorial link often comes from a high-traffic, authoritative site in your niche. When you’re mentioned in a respected publication, you don’t just get “link juice” – you can also receive a stream of targeted referral visitors clicking through. Those readers arrive with a degree of trust (since you were recommended by a source they respect), making them more likely to engage or convert.

Additionally, having your brand cited on reputable sites elevates your brand authority. It’s a form of PR: editorial links can put your content in front of new audiences and lend third-party validation to your expertise.

Quality over quantity

Editorial links underscore the SEO adage that not all backlinks are created equal. A few strong editorial links will typically outweigh a large number of low-quality or spammy links.

For example, one link from a top-tier news site or an authoritative industry blog can significantly move the needle. Industry research consistently shows that link quality trumps sheer quantity. Editorial backlinks tend to come from sites with higher Domain Rating/Authority and relevance, which amplifies their effect on your rankings.

In contrast, a dozen links from questionable directories or PBNs might do little (or even harm your site). By prioritizing editorial links, you invest in high-impact backlinks that contribute to a healthy link profile.

They contribute to long-term SEO success

Because they are hard-won, editorial links are often more enduring. Content that naturally attracts links tends to keep earning them over time (others see it and link, creating a snowball effect).

Moreover, an editorial link is unlikely to be removed (since it wasn’t a paid insertion that expires or a swapped link that could be taken down).

Thus, each editorial backlink is a long-term asset for your SEO. It also helps build your domain’s overall authority, making it easier for all your pages to rank better. (Pro tip: when one of your pages earns a strong editorial link, use internal linking to pass some of that authority to other important pages on your site.)

In summary, editorial links matter because they offer maximum SEO benefit with minimal risk. They are a vote of confidence from the web’s most trusted sources. For an SEO professional, securing even a handful of true editorial links can make a dramatic difference in search visibility.

Now, the big question is: how can you actually get these coveted links?

How to earn editorial links

Earning editorial links is challenging, but not impossible. It requires a strategic approach centered on creating link-worthy content and getting it in front of the right people (without resorting to spam). Here are some proven strategies and tactics to help you attract editorial backlinks:

1. Create linkable assets with unique value

The foundation of editorial link building is outstanding content. You need to give people a compelling reason to link to you. Focus on creating “linkable assets” – content pieces specifically designed to attract links. Examples include:

Original research and data studies

If you publish new research (surveys, case studies, industry reports with statistics), other sites will cite your findings. Data-driven content is one of the best magnets for editorial links.

In fact, 48.6% of link builders in a recent survey rated original research as a highly effective tactic. (E.g. publishing a “State of Industry 2025” report can earn you dozens of news mentions and blog links.)

Definitive guides and long-form resources

Comprehensive, authoritative guides tend to earn links because they become reference material for others.

If you create the go-to guide on a topic (“Ultimate Guide to X”), bloggers and writers covering that topic may link to your resource instead of rehashing the details. Long-form content especially is known to attract significantly more links than short posts (77% more on average).

Infographics and visual content

A well-designed infographic that presents information in an engaging visual way can garner editorial links when people embed or reference it. Even in the age of AI-generated visuals, a truly insightful infographic or chart can stand out (though infographics are a bit less novel than they once were, they still work if done right).

Similarly, things like charts, diagrams, videos, or interactive tools provide value that others may link to.

Free tools or calculators

Utility can be as link-worthy as content.

If you offer a free tool, template, or calculator relevant to your niche, other sites might recommend it to their readers.

For example, a free SEO audit tool or ROI calculator often naturally attracts mentions (since it’s genuinely helpful).

Remember, the key is uniqueness and quality. Your content asset should either offer something new (data, insights, angle) or something better than what’s out there. As one survey of link builders noted, content marketing (i.e. creating “awesome content” that earns links) is regarded as the most effective passive link-building approach. It’s truly a case of “create it, and they will link.”

2. Leverage digital PR and newsworthiness

Digital PR is essentially the art of getting your brand/content mentioned in the press and high-authority websites – a prime source of editorial links. In a 2025 study, 64.7% of link builders named digital PR the #1 most effective tactic for link building.

To do this:

Create newsworthy content or stories

This could be a groundbreaking study (as mentioned), a controversial opinion piece, a big initiative your company is undertaking, or even a viral-worthy campaign. Press releases alone don’t give SEO links (most PR wire links are nofollow), but the goal is to have journalists pick up your story and link in their articles. Think like a PR pro: what about your content would interest a journalist or a major publication’s audience?

Pitch to relevant journalists and publications

Identify reporters or bloggers who cover your industry or the topic of your content. Send them a polite, concise pitch about your story or resource. Emphasize the value to their readers, not “please link to me.”

If your content truly merits it, this outreach can result in organic media coverage with an editorial link. (Pro tip: provide an exclusive insight or data point in your pitch to increase your chances of getting picked up.)

Use HARO (Help A Reporter Out) and expert roundups

HARO is a platform where journalists seek expert quotes for their stories. By responding with valuable insights, you can earn citations (often with a backlink to your site’s bio or homepage).

Similarly, contribute to expert roundup articles in your niche – these are when a blog asks multiple experts a question and links to each expert’s site. It’s a classic win-win: they get content, you get an editorial link.

Digital PR requires effort and a bit of creativity, but it can land you those top-tier links that are otherwise unattainable. One expert quote in a major publication can do wonders for your backlink profile. (Imagine getting a link from The New York Times or TechCrunch because you were quoted as an expert – that’s SEO gold.) Not every pitch will succeed, but persistence pays off here.

3. Build relationships and become “link-worthy” in your community

Sometimes who you know is as important as what you produce. Building genuine relationships in your industry can lead to more organic links over time:

Network with other content creators

Engage with bloggers, editors, and influencers in your niche. Comment on their posts, share their content, and provide value without an agenda.

Over time, you’ll naturally come to mind when they’re looking for sources to link to. We’ve seen campaigns where reaching out to a niche blogger with a thoughtful comment led to them exploring our content and linking to it in a future roundup. Networking can also surface collaboration opportunities (like co-authoring content or interviews) that result in editorial links.

Contribute guest content strategically

Wait, isn’t guest posting an acquired link tactic? Yes – you typically place a link if you’re writing the article. But you can approach guest posting with an editorial mindset: focus on high-quality publications and aim to provide real value.

If your guest article is truly insightful (and not just a link vehicle), not only will the host site usually give you a branded link, but others might link to that guest article as a resource (earning you indirect editorial links).

Moreover, establishing yourself as a contributor on reputable sites boosts your credibility, making other editors more likely to reference your work elsewhere.

Be active in forums and communities

Participating in Q&A sites (like Reddit, Quora) or niche forums can indirectly lead to links. The goal isn’t to drop your links (that would be self-promotion, not editorial). Rather, by being genuinely helpful and showcasing expertise, community members or moderators might mention or feature your content.

For example, a well-received explanatory post on a forum could get picked up by a blogger who links back to your detailed guide on the subject.

4. Promote your content to the right audiences

“Build it and they will come” doesn’t always work – even the best content benefits from promotion to reach those initial linkers. Some tactics:

Outreach to sites that would genuinely benefit from your content

This is different from mass link begging. It means doing homework to find websites that have linked to similar content or might find your piece useful. Then, send a friendly email informing them about it.

For instance, if you created a free template, find bloggers who write “how-to” posts in that area and let them know they can offer your template to their readers. You’re not asking for a link outright; you’re sharing something valuable. If it truly fills a gap for their audience, they may decide to reference it.

Share on social media and communities

Sometimes an editorial link starts with a social share. Promote your content on LinkedIn, Twitter, industry Slack groups, etc.

A journalist or blogger could discover it there and later link to it. Don’t underestimate the power of content exposure. Even newsletters – either your own or getting mentioned in someone else’s – can put your asset in front of potential linkers. The more real people who see your content, the more chances it has to earn links.

Repurpose and syndicate

Consider creating a slideshare, YouTube video, or infographic out of your content, which can reach different audiences. Just be cautious with syndication (re-posting content on other sites) – if done, use canonical tags or noindex to avoid duplicate content issues. The idea is to cast a wide net so that your content is seen by those who might cite it.

5. Monitor for unlinked brand mentions and convert them

Unlinked brand mentions is a slightly more “active” tactic, but still maintains an editorial nature.

Often, your brand or content might get mentioned in an article without a link. Set up Google Alerts or use tools to find these mentions. Then politely reach out to the author or editor thanking them and suggesting that a link could be added for readers’ reference.

Since they’ve already mentioned you, you’re not asking for something out of the blue – you’re just requesting proper attribution. Success rates for this tactic can be high, and it’s one of the easiest ways to snag an editorial link you almost earned already.

Each of the strategies above revolves around a common theme: provide value first, earn links as a result. Earning editorial links is as much about mindset as technique – you’re essentially building goodwill in your industry through great content and relationships, and that goodwill translates into backlinks. It’s a long-game strategy, but the results are worth it.

Challenges in acquiring editorial links

By now it’s clear that editorial link building is powerful but requires considerable effort. Here are some key challenges SEO pros face in trying to acquire those elusive editorial links:

Lack of control and unpredictability

You can control your on-page SEO and even your outreach efforts, but you cannot force another site to link to you. With editorial links, you’re ultimately at the mercy of other content creators’ decisions. You might craft an amazing article and promote it widely, and still get zero links – simply because no one chose to reference it. This unpredictability is frustrating.

In fact, 55.7% of SEO experts say link building is the hardest part of SEO (largely due to this reliance on others). Unlike technical or on-site SEO, there’s no guarantee of return on effort; you can do everything “right” and still strike out.

High competition for attention

The web is saturated with content. Every day, countless new blog posts, studies, and infographics vie for the attention of the same pool of journalists and bloggers. Earning an editorial link often means standing out in a sea of noise. This is easier said than done.

For example, if ten different companies each publish a “comprehensive guide” this month, only one or two might get the lion’s share of links, and the rest may be ignored. Your content has to be truly exceptional or unique to merit a citation over others. Most content fails to attract links at all – one analysis famously found that 66% of pages have zero backlinks. That sobering statistic speaks to how difficult it is to break through.

Time and resource intensive

Creating link-worthy assets is usually laborious – think weeks or months of research, writing, design, or development. Promoting that content (outreach, social, PR) is another significant investment of time. You might spend 20 hours on a piece and get one great link out of it. From an ROI perspective, editorial link building can seem slow. It’s a long-term play, and not every organization or client has the patience for it.

Additionally, some forms of content (like data studies or interactive tools) require specialized skills and budget. Not all teams can easily produce these on a regular basis.

Rejection and low hit rate

If you’re reaching out for PR or linking opportunities, be prepared for a lot of non-responses or “no.” Journalists are busy and get flooded with pitches. Bloggers might ignore unsolicited emails. It’s common for a campaign to have a low conversion rate – e.g.

out of 100 targeted emails, maybe 5 result in actual links. This can be demoralizing, but it’s part of the game. Personal experience: On one campaign, we reached out to 50 journalists with a unique story angle; only 2 ended up covering it with a link, but those two links were on major sites and made the effort worthwhile [personal experience]. Thick skin and persistence are a must.

Need for continuous output. Editorial links don’t usually happen from one-hit wonders. You may need to consistently create valuable content to gradually build a reputation and accumulate links. This ongoing commitment can be a challenge when balancing other SEO tasks. It’s not uncommon to go through dry spells where several pieces earn nothing, then one piece suddenly goes “viral” with links. You have to keep at it even when immediate results aren’t there.

Risk of veering into “unnatural” tactics

Because of the difficulty, there’s a temptation to take shortcuts – for instance, paying for a so-called “editorial” placement on a blog or doing excessive reciprocal linking under the table. These tactics carry significant risk. Google’s algorithms and webspam team are adept at catching paid or manipulative links, and the penalties can drop your rankings overnight. It’s crucial to resist the urge to turn to the dark side.

Remember, an editorial link ceases to be “editorial” if you had to secretly compensate for it.

It’s better to have a slow trickle of genuine links than a burst of dubious ones that put your site in jeopardy.

Measuring impact can be tricky

When you earn links naturally, they come over time and from varied sources – it’s not a controlled, campaign-based flow like with outreach. This can make it difficult to attribute improvements in ranking or traffic to specific editorial links. Stakeholders might question the value of all this effort if they can’t see a direct cause-effect.

As an SEO professional, you may need to educate clients or bosses that link building is a cumulative game. The impact of editorial links often manifests gradually, not overnight. Using tools, you can show metrics like Domain Rating growth or increased number of referring domains as proof of progress, but connecting a single link to a specific ROI requires a broader view.

In short, acquiring editorial links is hard. It tests your content quality, your outreach savvy, and your patience. It’s helpful to acknowledge these challenges upfront so you can set realistic expectations. The payoff, however, is a backlink profile that’s the envy of your competitors – one built on integrity and quality, which is incredibly hard for them to replicate or take away.

(As a small consolation, if you’re struggling with editorial link building, you’re not alone – a recent industry survey confirmed that link building remains the most difficult SEO task for a majority of professionals. It’s a challenging field, but that’s also why doing it well gives you a competitive edge.)

Best practices for editorial link building

Given the challenges, it’s vital to approach editorial link building strategically and ethically. Here are some best practices to maximize your success:

Prioritize quality and relevance

Always aim for quality over quantity in both content and link targets.

It’s better to have one backlink from a highly relevant, authoritative site than ten from random low-quality sites. When planning content, ask: Would I link to this if I were an outsider? If the answer is no, refine the content until it’s a definitive “yes.”

Additionally, pursue links from sites that make sense for your niche – relevance amplifies the SEO value of an editorial link and ensures you’re reaching the right audience.

Make your site/link target “link-worthy.”

Ensure that the page you want people to link to is worth linking. This sounds obvious, but it’s often overlooked. A common mistake is expecting editorial links to a thin product page or a salesy homepage.

Instead, create a resource on your site (blog post, research page, tool page) that is genuinely informative or useful.

Also, spruce up your site’s credibility indicators – an updated About page, clear sources, and a professional design. Prospective linkers often do a quick sniff test of your site before linking; if your site looks sketchy or overly commercial, they’ll hesitate to reference you.

Build relationships and personal brand

A best practice that goes beyond immediate link building: invest time in building your personal or company’s reputation in your industry.

If you become known as a go-to expert (through speaking, social media, community contributions), people will naturally cite and link to your insights. It’s a form of branding meets SEO.

For example, if bloggers recognize your name and associate it with quality content, they’ll be more inclined to link to your latest study or mention you as a source. This doesn’t happen overnight, but consistently engaging in your niche community pays dividends.

Diversify your link earning tactics

Don’t rely on just one method to get editorial links. Mix and match the strategies discussed: one quarter you might focus on a big data study, the next on publishing a series of expert interviews, another on creating a free tool.

Diversification not only broadens your reach, but also results in a more natural backlink profile (with links coming from different types of sites and contexts). And if one approach isn’t yielding results, another might.

For instance, if your infographics aren’t getting traction, maybe your written guides will – different audiences respond to different formats.

Keep an eye on competitors’ editorial links

Tools like Ahrefs or Semrush allow you to see which sites are linking to your competitors. Analyze their backlink profiles specifically for earned links (you can often tell by the context).

Are they getting mentions in industry journals?

Did they produce an ebook that a lot of sites linked to?

Competitor link research can reveal fruitful avenues.

You might discover, for example, that a competitor got a lot of links from sponsoring a nonprofit event (which led to editorial news coverage). Such insights can inform your own strategy. Just remember: never outright copy content – instead, aim to create something even more valuable and link-worthy.

Optimize your internal linking to leverage editorial wins

When you do earn a strong editorial backlink, squeeze the most SEO juice from it. Make sure the page that got the link has clear internal links to your other important pages, so that authority flows through your site.

For example, if your data study got links from 10 high-DR sites, link from that study to your product page or key blog posts (where relevant). This is how you translate an off-page win into on-page gains. As Ahrefs notes, you can “spread the benefits of editorial links to other pages on your site” via smart internal linking.

Stay ethical and transparent

Uphold the true spirit of editorial links by avoiding any tactics that could muddy the waters. Don’t pay for links under the table – if money changes hands, it’s not a real editorial link and could backfire.

If you send a gift or incentive to a blogger, assume that link will be flagged as sponsored (if not, it should be). Google has gotten very adept at identifying patterns of manipulation. The safest route is the straightforward one: produce great content, promote it honestly, and let the links come on their own terms. Not only will you sleep better at night, but you’ll build a link profile that can weather algorithm storms.

Be patient and persistent

Finally, perhaps the most important best practice: patience. Editorial link building is a slow burn. In fact, our study revealed that editorial links coming though digital PR might take 4-6 weeks to show any impact.

You might not see results for months, and that’s normal. Set realistic goals, such as a small uptick in referring domains quarter over quarter. Celebrate small wins (like that first mention on a decent blog) as progress.

Over time, the efforts compound. Many successful SEO case studies show that the first few editorial links are the hardest, but once your domain has some authority, others come more easily. Keep the long-term vision in mind – you’re building a sustainable SEO foundation, brick by brick.

By adhering to these best practices, you’ll increase your effectiveness in earning editorial links and reduce wasted effort. It transforms link building from a desperate scramble into a thoughtful, strategic endeavor. You’ll also ensure that the links you do gain are truly beneficial and safe for your site’s SEO health.

Case studies: The impact of editorial link building

Theory is great, but what about real-world results? Let’s look at a couple of brief case studies that illustrate how earning quality links (primarily editorially-placed) can dramatically improve SEO outcomes:

Case Study 1: B2B SaaS – From 500 to 20,000 monthly visitors in 9 months

A SaaS startup in the AI productivity space achieved explosive growth by focusing on content and editorial link building.

They grew their site’s traffic 40x – from 500 to 20,000 monthly visitors in just nine months.

How did they do it? A strategic combination of high-quality content creation and consistent link acquisition.

The company published in-depth articles (around 130 new content pieces in that period) and invested in building around 15 high-quality backlinks per month, every month.

Notably, all of these links were placed contextually in relevant blog articles on other high-authority websites (true editorial links, earned via outreach and content partnerships).

Over those months, their Ahrefs Domain Rating shot up from 22 to 46, and the number of keywords they ranked in Google’s top 3 positions jumped from just 23 to 255.

Crucially, the content alone wasn’t enough – despite the startup’s prolific publishing, they needed the backlinks to build trustworthiness in Google’s eyes and actually push those rankings up.

This case underscores a key lesson: content + editorial links = a powerful one-two punch. With consistent, white-hat link building, a young site was able to establish authority in a competitive niche and capture thousands of new visitors.

Case Study 2: 180ops (SaaS) – Domain Rating from 4 to 40 with steady link building

180ops, a B2B SaaS in the revenue intelligence space, started with almost no online presence – DR (Domain Rating) of 4 and only ~30 organic visits a month.

By implementing a comprehensive SEO strategy that heavily featured content and link building, they saw remarkable gains.

Over a nine-month campaign, 180ops’ organic traffic grew from 30 to 1,700 monthly visitors, and their Ahrefs DR leaped from 4 to 40.

They achieved this by consistently earning contextual backlinks through methods like guest posting and niche edits (all while adhering to relevance and quality).

The result was a massive expansion in keyword visibility: the site went from ranking for ~100 keywords to 2,800 keywords, including 26 keywords in the coveted top 3 positions on Google.

These are exactly the kind of outcomes one can expect when committing to ongoing editorial link building. It transformed 180ops from an invisible brand into a competitive player in their niche, with multiple #1 rankings driving high-converting traffic. As their CMO put it,

“the results speak for themselves.”

This case study highlights how dramatically a site’s authority and traffic can grow with sustained link earning efforts. Going from DR 4 to 40 is a night-and-day difference in how search engines perceive a website.

Final thoughts

Both of these examples reinforce a crucial point: investing in editorial link building pays off. It may take months to see the fruits, but when those fruits come, they often come in abundance (traffic, rankings, leads).

Importantly, these wins were achieved without black-hat tricks or buying links in shady corners of the internet. They were achieved by earning links the right way – through valuable content and genuine outreach. That means these sites’ successes are sustainable. Competitors can’t easily mimic it unless they put in the same honest work.

For SEO professionals reading this, such case studies should be encouraging. They show that while editorial link building is challenging, it’s far from impossible – and the rewards can be game-changing.

“Editorial backlinks are given when a website references your site as a source of valuable information – they’re considered the gold standard of backlinks” (Neil Patel). These case studies bear that out. By making editorial links a core part of your SEO strategy, you set your site up for lasting authority growth.

If you need some editorial links, we're here for you.