There are several software packages that help you find link posibilities and request the links. I only use link building software to administrate everything my linkbuilding team does. Link building software is useful when you do a lot of manual link requests. Here’s how we use it.
Seeking link possibilities
The easiest way to find relative websites that could link to you, is by looking at the search results. If you want to rank high on Google, you look at the top 1000 (Google shows only 1000 results) websites ranking for your search term.
With most link building software you can run your search query via the Google and Yahoo API. By using different queries and filters you can retrieve a complete list of possible link partners.
Query examples:
- In Google results for the query you want to rank for
http://www.google.com/search?q=seo - In Google results for your query filtering some sites and irrelevant results
http://www.google.com/search?q=seo+-site%3Atechnorati.com+-student - In Yahoo the first thousand pages linking to your competitor
http://search.yahoo.com/search?p=linkdomain%3Amattcutts.com+-site%3Amattcutts.com
Because these queries only return a maximum of 1000 possibilities it is recommendable to use as many filters as possible to exclude irrelevant pages and pages you are surely not getting links.
Categorizing the results and getting the links
Once you have your complete list, most programs offer the possibility to categorize it. Try to categorize the pages by the kind of persuasion they require.
Example categories:
- Pages that already have a lot of links on them probably only need related content to link to. Main category “link page” and sub category “…link topic…“.
Create on topic content and send a personalized email to the webmaster/owner to get these links. Use the link building software to keep track of who you contacted, who reacted and who placed the link.
My tip: Use cheap labour like people from India.
- On topic forums can be spammed (in other words: you can leave a good reply with your link in it). Main category “forum” and sub category “…link topic…“.
Make sure links in the reply aren’t nofollow or javascript and create your reply. In most forums you need to build some credibility for your forumuser before you can place a link that isn’t seen as spam. Either build credibility first or pay an existing user to place the link for you.
My tip: Use cheap labour for this too.
- With blogs you can leave a comment, but most of the comment links are nofollow. Blogs are better targeted by an on topic viral marketing campaign. Main category “blog” and sub category “…link topic…“.
Per blog topic create a separate viral message. It doesn’t need to be great, as long as it is extremely targeted to that group of bloggers. Mail or blog comment some of them to plant your seed. The comment is worthless in linkvalue, but they will probably make a post on it.
My tip: Use an in between website and diss the bloggers.
- Competitors are websites selling the same things you do. They will probably not link to you naturally. Using an in between website to convey link points from your competitor to your commercial activities can work. Main category “competitor” and sub category “…needed in between website…“.
Your in between website could be a new site you launch yourself or something existing you sponsor. Just make sure your competitors want to link to it and the link to your normal site isn’t too obvious.
My tip: Maybe this trick can do the job?
Categorize in a way that you group pages that require the same tactic. Use the link building software mainly for administrative perposes.
What software should I use?
There are two software packages that cover most of the market. There are many more and it is even easy to build your own.
- Arelis by Axandra
- WebCEO
- Others include: LinkExplore, Tattler, SEO Elite and PR Prowler.
Should I use link building software?
Some of them cost money and most of them have (illegal) serial generators. Try one and if you like it, buy it!