The Surprising Aspects of International Link Building
When it comes to link building, it can be easy to become hyper-focused on one’s immediate geographic region. While this is understandable, businesses that focus solely on local links are missing out on a world of opportunities.
International link building can broaden your reach and help your business achieve a globally significant online presence. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the surprising aspects of international link building and provide a wide range of tactics and strategies that businesses can use to expand their online footprint.
The Importance of International Links
International link building has become increasingly important in recent years. With Google’s emphasis on user experience and relevancy, businesses that offer products, services, or content to an international audience will benefit from a well-rounded backlink portfolio that includes links from sites around the world.
There are several benefits to having international links, including:
– Increased visibility in search engines
– Broadened reach in geographic markets
– Diversification of traffic sources
– Greater user trust and authority
When it comes to backlinks, it’s not just about quantity, but quality. An international backlink from a trusted and authoritative site can do wonders for your online reputation. Additionally, international links help businesses establish a global online presence, which can play a key role in strengthening brand recognition and trust.
How to Find International Link Opportunities
Before we dive into the tactics and strategies for international link building, let’s first discuss how to identify international link opportunities. Here are a few places to look:
Local Search Engines
If your business offers products or services in a specific country, you’ll want to focus on local search engines. For businesses targeting China, Baidu is the dominant search engine. In Russia, Yandex is the go-to engine. In Japan, Google has a smaller market share compared to Yahoo! Japan. By focusing on local search engines, businesses can identify local link opportunities and strengthen their online presence in a specific geographic market.
International Business Directories
Business directories are a great way to find international link opportunities. Directories like Yelp and Yellow Pages have an international presence, and businesses can easily create a listing to generate a backlink. Additionally, there are niche directories for specific industries that can provide valuable backlink opportunities.
Competitor Backlinks
By analyzing your competitors’ backlink profiles, you may discover international websites that are linking to them. You can then use this information to identify international link building opportunities for your own business.
International Social Media
Social media networks like LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook have an international presence. By creating a presence on these platforms, businesses can engage with a global audience and establish a network of international backlinks.
International Link Building Tactics and Strategies
Now that we know where to find international link opportunities, let’s dive into some tactics and strategies for building international backlinks.
Create International Content
One of the best ways to attract international links is to create content that appeals to an international audience. This could include translated versions of your website or blog, videos with international subtitles, and infographics that can appeal to multiple markets.
For example, Airbnb has a page dedicated to “Airbnb Magazine,” which features stories from around the world, appealing to a global audience. By creating this international content, Airbnb has attracted links from websites in multiple countries.
Guest Posting and Outreach
Guest posting on international blogs or reaching out to websites in different countries can provide valuable backlink opportunities. By reaching out to websites that are relevant to your industry, you can pitch a guest post or simply ask for a link to your website.
For example, if your business sells men’s clothing, you may want to reach out to fashion blogs in different countries and pitch a guest post about men’s fashion. This provides an opportunity to attract backlinks from these international websites.
Partnerships and Sponsorships
Partnering with international companies or sponsoring events can generate international backlinks. By appearing at international events or supporting international organizations, businesses can attract links from these websites.
For example, Red Bull sponsors extreme sports events around the world, which often generate international media coverage and backlinks. Additionally, Red Bull has partnered with international brands like GoPro and Xbox to create branded content, generating even more backlinks.
Using International Keywords
To attract international backlinks, businesses should use keywords that are relevant to their industry and geographic location. By using international keywords in content and on their website, businesses can attract backlinks from websites in different countries.
For example, if your business sells coffee beans, you may want to target keywords like “fair trade coffee,” “organic coffee beans,” or “single origin coffee.” By using these keywords, your website is more likely to appear in search results in different countries, attracting international backlinks.
Conclusion
International link building is an important aspect of any online marketing strategy. Not only does it help businesses reach a global audience, but it also strengthens their online reputation and authority. By following the tactics and strategies outlined in this guide, businesses can identify international link opportunities and generate valuable backlinks from around the world.