What are Editorial Links
An editorial link is a link from your website that another website editor or writer places within their content. You can find them within the body of an article, blog post, or any form of content on a third-party website. The website linking to you does so because they find your content informative, authoritative, or relevant to their audience. Unlike paid links or directory submissions, editorial links are earned organically. They are not the result of outreach or negotiation but are rather natural outcomes of high-quality content being recognized by others.
These links are considered highly valuable because they are earned, not bought or exchanged. So, they give a strong signal to search engines that a website offers valuable and credible content.
For example, a journalist writing a tech piece can link to a resource on your website if it provides useful information related to their article. This happens not because you asked for it but because your content is relevant enough to include.
The concept of editorial links aligns with the philosophy of content-driven SEO strategies. If your content provides actual value, be it through informative articles, detailed research, or statistics, websites will want to link to your content.
Editorial Links vs. Acquired Links
You might think, “Isn’t editorial ink the same as an acquired link?” The truth is that even though they seem to be similar, they have differences. Acquired links are obtained through deliberate outreach efforts, like guest posting, niche edits, or paid link placements. These links can be beneficial, but they do not carry the same level of trust as editorial links, which are earned purely on merit.
Editorial links are usually seen as a very important factor in link building. This is because they are entirely organic and are much harder to earn. The effort you put into creating valuable, link-worthy content is the key factor in acquiring these types of links.
Why Editorial Links Are Important for SEO
There are many reasons why editorial links are essential for your SEO strategy. Let’s have a look at them in detail:
-
Your Earn Search Engine Trust and Authority
Google prioritizes content that other sites deem trustworthy. When an authoritative site links to your webpage through an editorial link, it tells search engines that your content is credible and worth ranking higher in search results. Since editorial links are typically earned from quality websites, they can boost your site’s trustworthiness.
-
It Improves Search Rankings
Editorial links from authoritative sites can help improve your search engine rankings. Google’s algorithm favors content with high-quality backlinks because they are difficult to manipulate. The more editorial links from relevant, high-authoritative websites, the higher your site’s chances of ranking well in search pages.
-
Organic Traffic Can Be Increased
When authoritative websites link to your content, they direct their readers to your page. This increases your organic traffic, which means more engagement, better brand awareness, and higher conversions. Since editorial links are placed in contextually relevant articles, readers interested in the topic will likely click on the link. This brings in more targeted traffic to your site.
-
You Get Long-Term SEO Benefits
Paid or manipulative links only offer short-term benefits and sometimes can lead to penalties if Google detects them. But, editorial links offer long-term SEO benefits. Since these links are based on the merit of your content, they remain valuable over time. It stays valuable as long as the linking content remains relevant and your linked page offers value.
-
It Builds Credibility
Getting an editorial link from a respected publication or website can boost your brand’s reputation. When readers see that a trusted source is linking to your content, it adds legitimacy to it. It helps you position your brand as an authority in your industry.
How to Earn Editorial Links
Because editorial links cannot be bought, earning them requires producing high-quality content. Your content must be valuable enough for others to reference. Here are some strategies to help you gain these natural backlinks:
Create Link-Worthy Content
The right strategy to attract editorial links is to create high-quality content that deserves to be linked. This can include research studies, in-depth guides, statistics pages, or data that hasn’t been widely reported yet. Your content should solve your audience’s problems or answer their questions. Content that is informative, broad-spectrum, and well-researched easily attracts links.
Let’s say you publish original research that offers fresh insights into a particular industry. Other websites can use your data as a reference point and link back to your research. This type of content is referred to as a “linkable asset.”
Be a Source of Information
Journalists, bloggers, and industry influencers look for expert opinions or data to support their articles. You can position yourself or your website as a reliable source of information through different platforms. This will increase your chances of being cited with a link in articles.
You can also build relationships with journalists and bloggers through outreach or online communities. This is another way to become a go-to resource for relevant content. Once you build this authority, they can regularly link back to your site when your expertise is needed.
Use PR Campaigns
A PR strategy can boost your chances of earning editorial links. For example, launching a newsworthy campaign, participating in media interviews, or issuing press releases about major company milestones. These methods attract the attention of news outlets that may link to your site.
Be creative with your PR strategies. Brands use quirky campaigns, like competitions or social causes. These types of content align with a broad audience and get covered by the media.
Optimize for Unlinked Mentions
Sometimes, your brand or content is mentioned online without a link back to your site. In these cases, you can reach out to the website owner or author and request a link. This way, you can convert these mentions into editorial links.
Editorial links are essential to make your SEO efforts successful. It’s because they are authentic and they have a great impact on search rankings. Create content that is valuable, informative, and link-worthy. So, you can earn these high-quality links to improve your authority and visibility online. It takes time to earn these links, but the long-term benefits are worth the effort.