Many popular link-building strategies generate low-quality links that don't improve SEO performance.
Even if these techniques have an impact, it usually lasts only a short time, and Google can easily devalue them.
Here are four strategies for building high-quality links that can help you stay ahead of the competition, expose your brand to new audiences, and are less likely to be devalued in future algorithm updates.

1. Digital PR

Digital PR is the process of creating content that attracts journalists and pitching it to them.
If they like the content, they will feature it or include it in the articles they're writing. This can earn you many high-quality backlinks from major websites and news publications for free.

2. Data Journalism

Data journalism is a method of enhancing or creating newsworthy content by analyzing unique datasets.
It can fall under digital PR, although it usually requires more detailed research. This technique is effective because journalists love good statistics that they can cite or write an opinion article about. By being the source of such data, you can earn many high-quality links, especially if your data is relevant to trending news topics.

3. Statistical Link Building

Statistical pages are curated lists of facts and data within a specific industry.
As long as the statistics remain relevant, these pages attract evergreen links.
This is one of our favorite link-building strategies. Here's how we've successfully used it over the years.

4. Relationship-Based Link Building

Relationship-based link building prioritizes long-term relationships with journalists, writers, and editors.
It is an effective complement to digital PR campaigns because you can shorten the time needed to find the right person to distribute your content.
Even better, when journalists are writing about topics you or your clients specialize in, you can be their first point of contact.

Final Thoughts

Gaining high-quality backlinks is much easier—and cheaper—than many people realize!
All the examples shared in this article earned free link placements on high-authority websites with minimal outreach.
These techniques have greater staying power. They are also less likely to be seen as "link manipulation" or devalued in future Google updates.
And, if your content angle is spot-on, they can continue earning links for months or even years to come!