PocketSEOHow to Get 54 Free Backlinks Using the Moving Man Method
Hridoy Rehman @hridoyreh
Reviewed Jul 2026
Key Takeaway
The Moving Man method generates high-quality backlinks by finding dead resources that websites still link to, then reaching out to suggest your content as a replacement. This works because you're solving a real problem for webmasters rather than making cold link requests. Search for outdated companies or resources in your industry, use backlink tools like Ahrefs to find who still links to them, then send personalized emails alerting site owners about the broken links while offering your relevant content as an alternative. Expect response rates around 15-30% since you're providing genuine value by helping improve their user experience.
What is the Moving Man Method?
The Moving Man method is a proven link building strategy that earned one marketer 54 free backlinks by finding outdated resources and helping webmasters fix broken links. Instead of cold outreach, you're providing genuine value by alerting sites to dead links on their pages.
According to a study by Ahrefs, broken link building (including the Moving Man method) has a 6.1% success rate, significantly higher than most cold outreach campaigns.
How do you find outdated resources for link building?
Start by identifying web pages, resources, or businesses that have:
- Changed their domain name or rebranded
- Shut down completely
- Moved their content to a new URL
- Updated their company name
Use Google searches like:
- "[industry] + moved to"
- "[company] + rebrand + announcement"
- "[resource] + no longer available"
Check business news sites and press releases for companies announcing name changes or shutdowns.
How do you identify sites still linking to dead resources?
Once you've found outdated resources, use backlink analysis tools to find who's still linking to them:
- Ahrefs: Enter the dead URL in Site Explorer
- SEMrush: Use the Backlink Analytics tool
- Moz: Check Link Explorer for linking domains
Focus on high-authority sites in your industry for maximum impact.
How do you craft your outreach email for the Moving Man Method?
Your email should be helpful, not salesy. Here's the structure:
Subject: Quick heads up about a broken link on [Page Title]
Body:
- Mention you found their helpful article
- Point out the specific broken link
- Suggest your resource as a replacement
- Keep it under 100 words
Why does the Moving Man Method work so well?
High response rates: You're solving a problem, not asking for favors. Webmasters appreciate knowing about broken links because they hurt user experience and SEO.
Quality over quantity: These links come from relevant, established sites that already link to similar content.
Relationship building: You start conversations by providing value, making future outreach easier.
What are the best pro tips for better Moving Man Method results?
- Personalize each email: Reference specific content from their site
- Time your outreach: Tuesday through Thursday typically see higher response rates
- Follow up once: Send a gentle reminder after one week
- Track everything: Note response rates to refine your approach
How do you scale your Moving Man Method efforts?
Once you master this process, expand by:
- Setting Google Alerts for industry rebrands
- Monitoring competitor backlinks for broken opportunities
- Building relationships with responsive webmasters
The Moving Man method works because it's genuinely helpful. You're not just asking for links — you're improving the web one fixed link at a time.
Want the full playbook? Read our guide on Image Backlinks: The Underrated Link-Building Play for 2026.