Copying Competitor's Link Backs?
-
Hello,
Is it a viable idea to copy competitors link structure? Imagine we manage a new site with low page and domain authority. Is okay to use the Link Tool and filter domains that link back to our competitor and then work our way up from low ranking directories and related sites?
Currently I am using RoboForm and trying to 'catch up' to a competitor in terms of link backs.
Additionally, I've been reading articles about whether submitting to directories is good, but if we see they have alright domain and page authorities, does it make sense to apply to them when our competitors are in them?
Much appreciated
-
-
SEOmoz's Open Site Explorer is all kinds of super awesome.
-
what is the best tool to use to find out who your compeditiors are getting links from
-
Thanks for the reply.
I now understand it's not the goal to be included in every directory out there.
I would like to add that by finding who links to my competitors I am able to learn about related industry directories, sites and bloggers. Is this the type of space that is recommended?
-
Totally agree with Doug on how to analyse. Try to out think your competition, not copy your competition is the best way to go about it.
If your best competition's backlink portfolio is built up with directories, then you should save yourself the trouble in copying all of their links. For the same amount of time you will take submitting to hundreds of directories you can be building good links, creating great content and being productive. Not to say all directories are bad, SEOmoz just published a list of trusted directories http://www.seomoz.org/directories If you must, submit to those or other relevant directories.
I have never used RoboForm before, but I looked at their site, it looks like it just makes it easier to copy stuff into forms? Its not a good idea to submit to directories using all of the same descriptions/info.
That being said, try reaching out by guest posting, rebuilding broken content & links, etc and only submit to trusted or relevant niche directories if you absolutely feel the need to.
-
Analysing your competitors backlinks is a great idea. I don't think you need to copy your competitors link structure exactly though.
As well as looking to identify immediate backlink opportunities, think a little broader...
Don't just focus on the specific sites that link back to your competitors. Look at how you might group and classify those sites to help identify other similar sites that even your competitor hasn't got backlinks from.
As well as looking at the sites that link to competitors, also look into why/how they are linking to your competition. You want to understand what reason they have to provide the link, what you can offer as an incentive (what content you need on your site) and how you can refine your request to be as compelling as possible. If you can offer something of value, and create a win-win scenario it may make things easier.
As far as directories go, if there are niche directories that your target audience would expect you to be present in, then it would be worth getting a listing. Getting links from low value directories can be easy, but the rewards are going to be less. I don't think I'd "work your way up from low ranking directories..."
Appearing in reputable directories along side your competition may help reinforce the perceived authority of the site. Prioritise your efforts on those backlinks that are likely to provide the greatest benefits.
Remember, it's not just about getting the backlinks to improve your rankings and as a result your organic search traffic. Good quality backlinks can provide highly qualified traffic.
Hope this helps, Good luck!
Got a burning SEO question?
Subscribe to Moz Pro to gain full access to Q&A, answer questions, and ask your own.
Browse Questions
Explore more categories
-
Moz Tools
Chat with the community about the Moz tools.
-
SEO Tactics
Discuss the SEO process with fellow marketers
-
Community
Discuss industry events, jobs, and news!
-
Digital Marketing
Chat about tactics outside of SEO
-
Research & Trends
Dive into research and trends in the search industry.
-
Support
Connect on product support and feature requests.
Related Questions
-
Hi. One of our competitors is ranking ahead of us on Google. Our site has a much stronger authority and much more quality links than this competitor. Would anyone have any explanations for this? Thanks
Hi Guys - I've noticed recently that one of our competitors is ranking extremely well on Google, while we seem to be fluctuating, along with other competitors, for our main keywords. Our site has a much stronger authority and much more quality links than this competitor and traffic is continuously increasing each month. Would anyone have any explanations as to why we may be seeing this? Any help would be greatly appreciated, thanks.
Link Building | | barryhq0 -
Would it be a valid "link building' strategy to pay youtube video owners, to link to our company website in the decription of a certain video. ( For popular video's that are relevant )
I was wondering if it would it be a valid "link building' strategy to pay / work out a deal with youtube video owners, to link to our company website in the decription of a certain video they posted? ( For popular video's that are relevant to our business. ) Anyone have any thoughts on this? Thanks in advance! Steven
Link Building | | RockyMountainFlyboard0 -
Subdomain links vs root domain links? Are the less valuable?
I am determining the value of links we get. Is a link on a subdomain less valuable vs one on the root domain? How less valuable would you consider a subdomain link? For example blog.site.com vs site.com/blog What other metrics would you take into consideration for the value of a subdomain link?
Link Building | | calf0 -
Does nofollow link has any effect on link building
I recently read some article on noflollow link and the author says that nofollow link does have some effect on page rank. Can anyone explain the effect of nofollow link on website ranking?
Link Building | | petwho0 -
01 November 2013 - A possible Google's update??
Hello Guys! On 01 November 2013, one of our website's traffic has been dropped by more than 70%. We had added plenty of domains to the disavow tool, I am just wondering if its a Google's update or the disavow tool has destroyed the site? Any ideas? 9p3sN3p.jpg
Link Building | | TheSEOGuy10 -
I am getting links on people's wordpress blogs but are not showing up on the just discovered tool. Is it true that wordpress links are no-follow links that do give off any link-juice?
A blogger told me that "wordpress.com does not allow blogs to show advertisements or use links to sites that sell merchandise of any kind" is this true? Am i wasting my outreach time trying to get links from wordpress operated blogs?
Link Building | | odegi0 -
Multiple KW's , on-page and anchor text
Hello, For each page on my site, I've targeted one primary keyword and three to four secondary keywords. All of the keywords variants are tightly themed. With some on-page, I've ranked page two or three for all of the keywords and many are starting to convert based on Analytics data. Each page scores an "A" using the SEOmoz KW targeting tool for the "primary keyword only". For secondary keywords, I've only included words but not the complete keyword. For example, if the primary keyword is "blue green widgets" and the secondary keyword is "get blue green widgets", I've included the word "get" throughout the copy to target the secondary keyword. My questions are... Should I include each secondary keyword once in the copy and not just the word "get" for example? Just wondering if there is a better approach to target all of the keywords via on-page. When getting links to each page, how would you vary the anchor text to target all of the keywords, primary and secondary? Thanks!
Link Building | | ShaneO0 -
Who are my competitors
Hello, Quick question. for the term "NLP" and the site nlpca.com I'm analyzing backlinks of competitors. Is wikipedia a competitor, or are competitors only sites like mine. I'm thinking that if someone links to wikipedia they wouldn't necessarily want to link to nlpca.com Thus, should I still analyze wikipedia? Thank you.
Link Building | | BobGW0