SOP: Link Building Strategy

SOP-004 Ongoing

Build high-value links based on Reasonable Surfer and traffic-based quality patents.

Objective

Acquire editorial links that generate traffic and demonstrate topical relevance.

Prerequisites

• [ ] Linkable assets created
• [ ] Outreach capabilities
• [ ] Link tracking system

Procedure

Step 1: Audit Current Links

Evaluate existing links:

Source	DA	Placement	Anchor	Traffic	Score

Scoring:

• Main content placement: +2
• Relevant anchor text: +2
• Generates traffic: +2
• High authority: +2
• Template/footer: -2
• Irrelevant site: -2

Step 2: Identify Link Targets

Tier 1: Editorial Opportunities

Target characteristics:

• [ ] Topically relevant
• [ ] Links in main content
• [ ] Generates referral traffic
• [ ] Editorial standards

Step 3: Create Linkable Assets

Types that earn editorial links:

Asset Type	Example	Link Potential
Original Research	Survey, study	High
Tools/Calculators	Free utility	High
Comprehensive Guide	Ultimate resource	Medium
Data Visualization	Infographic	Medium
Expert Roundup	Industry insights	Medium

Step 4: Outreach Process

Pitch template:

Subject: [Specific benefit to them]

Hi [Name],

I noticed your article on [topic]. [Specific observation about their content].

We recently [created/published] [asset] that [specific value].
It includes [unique element they'd find valuable].

Would this be useful for your readers?

[Signature]

Step 5: Evaluate Opportunities

Before pursuing, verify:

Factor	Minimum	Ideal
Domain relevance	Some overlap	Same niche
Placement	Any	Main content
Follow/nofollow	Either	Follow
Traffic potential	Some	High
Editorial quality	Medium	High

Step 6: Track Results

Log all acquired links:

Date	URL	Anchor	Placement	Referral Traffic

Monthly review:

• Links acquired
• Referral traffic generated
• Ranking impact
• Link velocity (natural pace)

Verification

Quality link characteristics:

• [ ] In main content (not footer/sidebar)
• [ ] Surrounded by relevant text
• [ ] Natural anchor text
• [ ] Generates actual clicks
• [ ] From topically relevant site

Troubleshooting

Issue	Solution
Low response rate	Improve personalization, value prop
Links not indexing	Check noindex, crawlability
No ranking impact	May need more links, better relevance
Unnatural pattern	Diversify anchor text, slow down

Related Patents

• US 8,117,209B1 - Reasonable Surfer Model
• US 9,558,233B1 - Traffic-Based Quality
• US 7,565,358B2 - Agent Rank