PocketSEOHow to Steal Backlinks Using the Skyscraper Technique
Okara @askOkara
Key Takeaway
The skyscraper technique works by finding competitor content with existing backlinks, creating a genuinely better version, then reaching out to sites that linked to the original. Look for content gaps like outdated information, shallow coverage, or missing examples. Success rates are typically 5-15% when your content offers clear improvements over what sites are currently linking to.
What is the skyscraper technique and why does it work?
The skyscraper technique is a proven link building strategy that involves finding competitor content that already has backlinks, creating something better, then convincing those same sites to link to your improved version instead.
It works because webmasters want to link to the best resources available.
According to Backlinko's analysis of 912 million blog posts, content with at least one backlink receives 3.5x more traffic than pages with zero backlinks. When you show them something genuinely better than what they're currently linking to, many will gladly update their links.
How do you find competitor content worth targeting?
Start by identifying pages where your competitors rank on page 1 for your target keywords. Use tools like Ahrefs or SEMrush to see which of their pages have the most referring domains.
Look for content that meets these criteria:
- Has at least 10-20 backlinks from different domains
- Covers topics directly relevant to your business
- Shows clear improvement opportunities
What content gaps should you look for?
When analyzing competitor content, scan for these common weaknesses:
- Outdated information: Statistics from 2020, deprecated tools, old best practices
- Shallow coverage: Brief explanations where readers need more depth
- Missing examples: Claims without case studies or screenshots
- No original data: Rehashed information without new insights
- Poor user experience: Bad formatting, broken links, slow loading
How do you create content that's genuinely better?
Don't just make your article longer. Focus on these improvements:
- Add current data and statistics
- Include step-by-step tutorials with screenshots
- Provide downloadable templates or tools
- Interview industry experts for quotes
- Test strategies yourself and share results
- Improve visual design and readability
How do you find who's linking to competitor content?
Use backlink analysis tools to export all linking domains to your target competitor page. Most SEO tools let you export this data to CSV.
Filter the list to remove:
- Low-quality directories
- Obvious spam sites
- Social media profiles
- The competitor's own internal links
Prioritize sites with high domain authority that are relevant to your niche.
What's the best outreach approach for link replacement?
Keep your outreach email concise and focused:
- Reference their existing link: "I noticed you linked to [competitor article] in your piece about [topic]"
- Point out specific improvements: "I created an updated guide that includes [specific benefit they don't have]"
- Make it easy: Provide the exact text they could use to update their link
- No pressure: Suggest they "take a look" rather than demanding they link
Personalize each email by mentioning something specific about their content or site.
How many people actually update their links?
Expect a 5-15% success rate for cold outreach if your content is genuinely better. Higher authority sites are pickier, but their links are worth more.
The key is volume and quality. Send 50-100 personalized emails and you'll typically land 5-15 new backlinks pointing to your improved content.
Get the weekly SEO digest