Are you discovering it powerful to get your content material rating on search engines like google? Struggling to safe that one high-authority backlink regardless of your finest outreach efforts? Fearful that you simply’re lacking out on worthwhile visitors?

You are not alone. It’s straightforward to really feel like your well-crafted articles are buried beneath a mountain of on-line noise. You possibly can be writing bestsellers worthy of a Pulitzer, however individuals may nonetheless not discover and hyperlink to your content material. It simply isn’t that straightforward anymore.

However what for those who might flip the script and make your content material stand head and shoulders above the remaining? What if the backlinks come on their very own to your content material? 

It is time to introduce you to the Skyscraper Method, a confirmed Web optimization technique. With a bit of assist from Web optimization instruments, you possibly can flip current content material into one thing greater, higher, and extra participating that may naturally entice many backlinks.

The method was created by Backlinko’s Brian Dean again in 2015 and gained immense recognition after the natural search visitors to his complete web site doubled in solely 14 days.

On this information, we’ll present you precisely how one can use it to spice up your rankings and construct high-quality backlinks and not using a large price range or a model. There’s even a bit of guidelines and a listing of instruments you should use to make it straightforward. And simply so you recognize, we refreshed this text by following the skyscraper method.

Let’s dive in.

Understanding the Skyscraper technique intimately

The Skyscraper Method searches for well-liked and well-received weblog posts about matters you or your corporation usually cowl. When you’ve discovered a bit that matches the factors and already has a considerable viewers, you then search for methods to enhance the content material.

Authentic knowledge factors,  listicles, infographics, movies, user-generated content material, and any new and distinctive methods you may make the content material higher – a lot better.

The purpose right here is to ship the identical message as the unique weblog put up however with your personal twist. There are myriad methods to do that, which we’ll discover later.

However only a fast be aware: the Skyscraper Method isn’t about copying or replicating current content material. As an alternative, it’s about enhancing it from each angle, making your model so complete and worthwhile that readers gained’t must look anyplace else as soon as they discover your article. The purpose is to create the definitive useful resource on the subject.

When you’re achieved creating the improved content material, attain out to the proper individuals, aka the websites which have linked to the high-ranking content material.

For the reason that web site’s already linked to comparable content material, they’re clearly within the matter and have already got a longtime viewers base for such blogs. This implies all you need to do is get your weblog on their radar, and lo and behold, you’ve landed a promising hyperlink alternative. 

Why the Skyscraper Method works

Since its launch, the skyscraper method has been the surefire technique to success for a lot of content material entrepreneurs. Listed below are three the reason why it really works.

1. There’s a confirmed demand

You hit the jackpot each time you discover current content material that’s already pulling sizable visitors. It’s because there’s already assured demand for the subject you’re contemplating. So that you not need to scour for hours to put in writing articles your readers aren’t on the lookout for. Piggybacking this fashion cuts down the time and effort required to supply new content material whereas additionally including to the data out there to your readers.

All you need to do from right here on is perceive why that matter was so successful. Was it emotional or entertaining? Did it remedy some issues that your readers are experiencing? Have a look at what makes it nice so you possibly can study to do the identical, however a lot better.

2. There’s an current viewers

The viewers you’re writing for has already gone over the unique content material. All you need to do now could be construct upon that content material, and also you’ll have the potential to get them excited. Including visuals and different value-adding content material may have them from the get-go.

In case your matter is well timed, you also needs to checklist influencers and types who’ve shared the unique content material. This manner, you possibly can attain out to them instantly and faucet into their viewers whereas they’re nonetheless intrigued.

3. There’s appreciable rating potential

Extra probably than not, Google has already ranked the present useful resource nicely if it was so successful. It intuitively follows then that for those who create one thing even higher, you possibly can topple over the unique piece. You possibly can simply entice extra visitors and outrank the earlier weblog put up – particularly for those who win over these high-quality hyperlinks. You continue to come out on prime by placing in simply half the hassle. Appears like a fairly candy deal.

The Skyscraper technique: confirmed examples

The Skyscraper Method has helped numerous web sites obtain large positive aspects in search rankings, visitors, and backlinks. Let’s dive into some real-world case research of how this technique has been efficiently applied.

Brian Dean’s Backlinko

Brian Dean, the creator of the Skyscraper Method, used this technique to extend natural visitors to one among his posts on Backlinko by 110% in simply 14 days.

• Content material: He created an in-depth information on “Google’s 200 Rating Components”
• Strategy: Recognized a well-liked however outdated put up, created a extra complete model, and reached out to websites linking to the unique
• Outcome: 110% enhance in natural visitors, with the put up rating #1 for “Google rating elements.”

This put up is refreshed often, the most recent being in September 2024. It’s nonetheless the #1 outcome for the key phrase “Google rating issue,” together with 150+ key phrases within the prime 3 place, bringing in 8,000+ month-to-month visitors and 17,600+ backlinks. 

G2

G2’s content material and offsite Web optimization group use the strategy to gas their speedy visitors development within the B2B software program overview area.

Content material: Refreshed and expanded weblog posts, complete software program class insights

Strategy: Recognized and up to date outdated weblog posts, turning them into extra complete, present sources concentrating on top-ranking content material in extremely aggressive software program classes. Provided extra in-depth insights than their opponents

Outcome: Contributed considerably to G2’s development from zero to over 1,000,000 month-to-month guests inside a 12 months.

The skyscraper technique continues to be a part of G2’s link-building technique and helps it constantly receive lots of of high quality backlinks from extremely authoritative websites. 

The right way to execute the Skyscraper technique

Are you able to strive the method out for your self? Right here’s a brief guidelines that can assist you alongside the best way! Let this be your holy grail for executing the Skyscraper Method. 

1. Analysis and discover alternatives

To begin with the Skyscraper Method, you first must do your analysis. Don’t blindly select a weblog just because it’s doing nicely. That clearly gained’t add any worth to you or your organization. As an alternative, limit your analysis to related matters that you simply need to cowl.

• Begin by defining the key phrases and matters related to your area of interest and viewers. Take into consideration what matters your audience is trying to find, primarily key phrase analysis.
• Use instruments like Google Key phrase Planner, Ahrefs, Moz, or Ubersuggest to establish high-traffic key phrases. These instruments will assist you to uncover what individuals are trying to find and what opponents are rating for.

For instance, G2 needs to achieve out to Web optimization professionals and encourage them to discover Web optimization instruments out there of their market. Concentrating on Web optimization-related key phrases, similar to “Skyscraper Method” or “Web optimization instruments,” is smart to draw this viewers and supply worth associated to their work.

To verify, concentrating on the KW is helpful, you should use key phrase analysis instruments like Ahrefs and Semrush.

2. Analyze current top-ranking content material

Uncover top-ranking progressive content material primarily based in your goal key phrases. You possibly can simply search immediately on Google to see what ranks on the primary web page for these key phrases. 

Consider the strengths and weaknesses of the top-ranking content material. Overview what makes the present content material profitable: sturdy knowledge, construction, or engagement. Search for gaps within the data, outdated statistics, or lacking multimedia parts.

Ask your self: How are you going to make your content material extra complete, participating, or worthwhile than what’s already on the market?

Listed below are some methods to do it.

• Use the Aggressive Evaluation characteristic in Ahrefs to do a competitor evaluation on a scale. Add your current content material URL and the URLs of the top-ranking pages. You may get a listing of key phrases for which the top-ranking content material ranks, however you do not. 

• Use the Website Explorer characteristic on Ahrefs to investigate every of the competitor’s content material. Right here, you possibly can see the key phrases the competing article is rating for. Use these queries to grasp the search intent and look to fulfill them in your article. 

• Analyze the backlinks and their anchors to see what knowledge factors or data they’re linking again to. This provides you an thought of what you possibly can add to your content material to draw these hyperlinks. 

2. Create higher content material

You could have the unique content material in entrance of you. How are you going to enhance it? You possibly can’t simply copy-paste it, throw some fancy jargon in there, and suppose your work is completed. As an alternative, ample methods exist to enhance the content material into a bit that genuinely excites the viewers.

Listed below are a number of of them:

 

Use the content material evaluation you probably did within the earlier step to enhance your content material. Give attention to including worth in these key areas:

• Tackle gaps: Fill in any gaps the unique content material left. Did it overlook new tendencies or methods? In that case, incorporate them into your model to make your content material extra worthwhile.
• Add visuals: Improve your content material with visible storytelling. Add infographics, charts, or movies that make the data simpler to digest. Guarantee your visuals are related and add readability to your factors.
• Add knowledge factors: Strengthen your arguments by incorporating authentic knowledge factors, up to date statistics, and research-backed insights. This provides credibility and makes the content material extra participating for readers.
• Broaden on depth: Flip the content material right into a holistic information, making it longer and extra complete. Add contemporary, up to date statistics, real-life examples, and actionable insights. 

You should use instruments like Clearscope to search out gaps, grade your content material, assess how nicely it covers related key phrases, and grade its total Web optimization efficiency. 

For instance, whereas engaged on this text, I seen that current content material on the Skyscraper Method lacked data on superior instruments and methods, similar to utilizing AI instruments for content material evaluation or influencer outreach for link-building. I added a bit on superior Skyscraper Strategies to handle this hole, highlighting new approaches no different article consists of.

3. Checklist down doable distribution companions

Despite the fact that you’re writing a weblog that’s certain to be successful, that doesn’t assure that every one the individuals you contact will publish it. You want a listing of potential blogs, manufacturers, and influencers interested by your content material to achieve out to.

Brian Dean had an outreach success fee of 11%. This won’t sound like so much, nevertheless it made an incredible impression. How so? Keep in mind that it isn’t the amount that issues; it’s the standard. An 11% success fee can carry superb outcomes in case your complete checklist consists of high-quality hyperlinks. A great way to begin the checklist is to put in writing down the blogs you already know of. Then, bounce on-line to seek for comparable blogs with an overlapping viewers. Here is the way you do it. 

• Use the Hyperlink Intersect characteristic below Competitor Evaluation on Ahrefs to search out the checklist of referring domains linking to the top-ranking content material that you do not have. These are your potential targets.

• You can too have a look at the competitor content material’s backlink profile and export the checklist of websites linking to it utilizing Website Explorer on Ahrefs.

  

The checklist normally consists of spam and irrelevant websites. Clear it as much as embody solely high-authority websites with increased area scores and related content material.

Discover the related individual to achieve out to for these domains. They could be the author, editor, web site proprietor, or somebody from the Web optimization or web site administration groups. You should use instruments like Hunter.io to search out their e-mail addresses or join with them on LinkedIn. Hold this checklist prepared. 

4. Promote the brand new and improved content material

Displaying social proof is a necessity now earlier than you possibly can attain out to any websites or manufacturers. You need to first create a buzz together with your viewers to ascertain such proof. So get in your social media channels and promote your piece.

• Create social copies: Put together about 20 snippets from the content material to share on social media, together with variations of your headline, key quotes, statistics, or compelling takeaways. Tailor these snippets to totally different platforms (Twitter, LinkedIn, and so forth.) for optimum attain. 
• Use visuals: Incorporate your content material’s eye-catching pictures, infographics, or brief movies to make the posts extra participating and encourage shares.
• Tag influencers: Point out or tag related influencers or trade specialists in your posts to extend visibility and encourage engagement.
• Activate Your Community: Ask your group {and professional} community to assist amplify the content material. Their shares and engagement may help construct preliminary momentum and enhance the attain of your put up.

As soon as your content material begins gaining traction, it turns into extra engaging to exterior web sites and companions, who’re likelier to hyperlink to it.

5. Share with the proper individuals

At this level, your enhanced content material may have gained some momentum, so it’s lastly time to share it. Right here, you should use the checklist of doable distribution companions from step two of the guidelines.

Right here’s how one can do an efficient outreach marketing campaign:

• Personalize your outreach: Whereas you might have a template, all the time personalize every e-mail to display real curiosity. Point out particular factors about their web site, and clarify why your content material will resonate with their viewers.
• Spotlight mutual advantages: Clearly talk what you are asking for and the way sharing your content material will profit them and their followers. Make it compelling, whether or not it’s filling gaps in current data or offering extra depth.
• Place your content material: Allow them to the distinctive promoting level of your content material over the piece they already hyperlink to.
• Make it straightforward: Connect a direct hyperlink or copy of the content material to allow them to simply overview it with out leaping by means of hoops.

6. Work exhausting to remain related

Any content material is just helpful if individuals are interested by studying it. Over time, nonetheless, the usefulness of even probably the most excellent content material begins to say no. Others do the identical as you and publish even higher content material. Newer trade tendencies emerge. So, your as soon as “new and improved” content material will ultimately turn into stale.

The one technique to defeat this curse and be certain that your content material stays evergreen is to maintain updating it. It’s exhausting work, nevertheless it continues to repay since you proceed to create worth and, consequently, rank nicely.

Superior skyscraper methods for 2025

As Web optimization continues to evolve, so ought to your method to the Skyscraper Method. Listed below are some superior methods to maintain your content material aggressive:

Use generative AI instruments

Love ’em or hate ’em, generative AI instruments are extraordinarily useful. Use AI-powered instruments like ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini to generate contemporary content material concepts, analyze gaps in current content material, and optimize for key phrases.

AI goes past key phrase density and search quantity, providing distinctive insights similar to tone evaluation, content material construction enhancements, and even suggestions for audience-specific changes so long as you immediate them nicely.

For instance, I used ChatGPT to investigate this text, revealing content material gaps that conventional Web optimization instruments missed.

Interactive content material

Engagement is every part. To extend web page and person interplay time, incorporate interactive parts like quizzes, calculators, or free instruments into your content material that customers may discover worthwhile.

This may additionally make your content material extra shareable, enhancing your link-building potential. In reality, free instruments are discovered to be driving extra visitors to web sites. 

Information-driven content material

With latest algorithm updates and the rise of generative AI instruments, one factor is obvious: Google prioritizes Expertise, Experience, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness (EEAT) greater than ever. On this scenario, authentic analysis and unique knowledge are key to standing out.

By conducting surveys, utilizing trade knowledge, or creating proprietary experiences, you possibly can supply insights that others can’t replicate. Information-driven content material boosts your authority and makes your content material extra worthwhile, credible, and shareable.

The outcome? Higher possibilities of attracting high-quality backlinks and enhancing your rankings. Content material backed by strong knowledge isn’t simply most well-liked—it’s important for Web optimization success.

Multimedia integration

Increase engagement by including high-quality multimedia parts like movies, podcasts, or explainer animations. These enhance the person expertise and assist your content material rank higher in search outcomes. In case you are not including multimedia to your content material, contemplate creating one when distributing it on social media channels. 

Skyrocket your visitors 

The potential of the Skyscraper Method is obvious. By remodeling current high-performing content material with contemporary insights and selling it successfully, you possibly can considerably increase natural visitors, entice high quality backlinks, and strengthen your model’s authority.

Nevertheless, attaining success with this technique calls for each creativity and persistence. So, constantly ship smarter, extra worthwhile content material than your opponents. You’ll create a strong basis for long-term development and sustained visibility.

Wish to enhance extra? Examine confirmed on-page Web optimization methods from an Web optimization knowledgeable.  

---

This text was initially printed in 2020 and has been up to date with new data.