Skyscraper Technique 2025: From Beginner to Advanced

Imagine ranking higher than your competitors, earning high-quality backlinks, and dominating search results—without starting from scratch. That’s the power of the Skyscraper Technique, a proven SEO strategy that helps you leverage existing high-ranking content, improve it, and attract more backlinks and traffic.

Before building links, make sure you understand the basics in What is Link Building? Beginner’s Guide.

What Is the Skyscraper Technique?

The Skyscraper Technique is a link-building and content strategy where you:

1. Find top-performing content in your niche (articles with lots of backlinks).
2. Create something better—longer, more up-to-date, and more valuable.
3. Outreach to websites linking to the original and ask them to link to your improved version.

It’s like building a taller skyscraper next to an existing one—your content stands out and attracts more attention.

Why It’s a Game-Changer for SEO

• Faster Rankings: Instead of waiting months for organic traction, you piggyback on already successful content.
• Authority Building: High-quality backlinks boost your site’s credibility in Google’s eyes.
• Scalable & Repeatable: Works in almost any niche—blogging, SaaS, e-commerce, and more.

Who Should Use This Strategy?

• Bloggers & Content Marketers – Grow traffic by earning authoritative backlinks.
• SEO Specialists & Agencies – Improve client rankings with a systematic approach.
• Businesses & Startups – Outrank competitors without spending thousands on ads.

Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced marketer, this guide will take you step-by-step through the Skyscraper Technique—from basic execution to expert-level tactics.

Beginner’s Guide to the Skyscraper Technique

Step-by-Step Guide to the Skyscraper Technique

Definition & Origin

The Skyscraper Technique is a link-building strategy developed by Brian Dean (Backlinko), who used it to increase his organic traffic by 110% in just 14 days. The core idea? Instead of creating content from scratch, you:

1. Find high-ranking content in your niche.
2. Build something better (more comprehensive, updated, or engaging).
3. Promote it to sites linking to the original, earning backlinks.

The 3 Core Steps

Step 1: Find High-Performing Content

Use SEO tools like Ahrefs, SEMrush, or Ubersuggest to identify:

• High-ranking articles (top 10 on Google).
• Content with lots of backlinks (check “Backlinks” in Ahrefs).
• Popular but outdated posts (e.g., “Best SEO Tools in 2020”).

Example: Search “best productivity apps” and pick the top-ranking article with 500+ backlinks.

Step 2: Create Something Better

Your version must be 10X better. Improve it by:

• Adding more depth (longer, more detailed).
• Updating outdated info (2025 data vs. 2022).
• Enhancing visuals (infographics, videos, screenshots). This strategy supports visuals like those in Infographics for Link Building.
• Improving readability (clearer structure, bullet points).

Example: If the original lists “10 Productivity Apps,” yours could be “25 Best Productivity Apps in 2025 (Tested & Ranked).”

Step 3: Outreach for Backlinks

Find sites linking to the original using Ahrefs’ “Backlinks” report, then email them:

“Hi [Name], I noticed you linked to [Competitor’s Post]. We just published an updated guide with [X improvements]. Thought you might find it useful!”

How to Use the Skyscraper Technique to Boost Your SEO

First, use tools like Ahrefs to identify high-ranking posts in your niche with strong backlink profiles. Next, craft a more comprehensive, updated, and visually-enhanced resource that outperforms the original. Finally, contact sites linking to the competitor’s piece and pitch your improved content. This method delivers faster rankings by leveraging existing demand while building authoritative backlinks that boost your domain’s credibility and search visibility organically.

Why It Works for Rankings

• Backlinks = SEO Power: Google ranks pages with high-quality links higher.
• Content Quality Matters: Better content earns more shares and links naturally.
• Faster Results: Leveraging existing demand speeds up ranking.

Real SEO Benefits

• Increased Traffic (e.g., a blogger doubling visitors in 3 months).
• Higher Domain Authority (more backlinks = stronger site credibility).
• Lower Cost Than Ads (free organic traffic vs. paid campaigns).

Case Study: A marketer replaced a competitor’s outdated “Best CRM Software” post with a 2025 guide + video comparisons, earning 87 backlinks in 2 months and ranking #1.

Skyscraper Technique vs. Traditional Link Building: Which Is Better?

Comparison Table

Method	Skyscraper Technique	Guest Posting	Broken Link Building
Effort Required	Medium (research + outreach)	High (writing for others)	Medium (finding broken links)
Speed of Results	Fast (weeks)	Slow (months)	Medium (1-2 months)
Link Quality	High (relevant, natural)	Variable (can be spammy)	High (relevant fixes)
Best For	Quick wins, competitive niches	Brand exposure	Fixing old content

When to Use the Skyscraper Technique

• You’re in a competitive niche (outranking is hard).
• You have limited resources (faster than guest posting).
• Competitors have outdated content (easy to improve).

Tip: Combine it with other strategies (e.g., use Skyscraper for key pages, guest posts for brand awareness).

Advanced Skyscraper Technique Strategies

Advanced Skyscraper Technique: How to Outrank Competitors Consistently

Targeting Weak Competitors

Not all competitors are worth outranking. Focus on:

• Low Domain Rating (DR < 30) – Easier to steal links from.
• Outdated Content (e.g., “Best VPNs in 2021”).
• Thin Content (<1,500 words, no visuals, poor structure).

Tool Tip: Use Ahrefs’ “Content Gap” to find keywords where weak competitors rank, but you don’t.

Content Expansion Tactics

Go beyond basic improvements:

• Expert Quotes (interview industry leaders for credibility).
• Original Data (run surveys or share proprietary research). If you’re creating high-value content, see How to Create Link-Worthy Content.
• Case Studies (show real-world results, e.g., “How We Grew Traffic by 300%”).
• Interactive Elements (quizzes, calculators, embedded tools).

Example: A “Best Email Marketing Tools” post becomes “The Ultimate 2025 Guide + 12 Expert Picks” with testimonials.

Evergreen vs. Trending Topics

Evergreen Content	Trending Topics
Long-term traffic (years)	Short-term spikes
Easiest to “skyscraper”	Requires fast execution
Best for passive backlinks	Great for newsjacking

Strategy: Prioritize evergreen content (70% of efforts) but capitalize on trends (30%) when relevant.

How to Find the Best Content to ‘Skyscraper’ for Maximum Backlinks

Tool-Driven Research

1. Ahrefs/SEMrush:
   • Find pages with high traffic but low keyword difficulty (KD < 20).
   • Filter for “Backlinks > 100” but “DR < 50” (easier targets).
2. Google Search Operators:
   • intitle:"best X" after:2022 (find outdated lists).

The 10X Content Rule

Your content must be 10 times better by:

• Depth: Cover every subtopic (e.g., “Notion Tutorial” → “Notion Bible: 50 Use Cases”).
• Format: Switch lists to ultimate guides, add video walkthroughs.
• Proof: Include screenshots, demo videos, or testimonials.

Reverse-Engineering Competitor Backlinks

1. In Ahrefs, enter a competitor’s URL → “Backlinks” report.
2. Sort by “DR” (high-authority links first).
3. Analyze why they linked (e.g., stats, quotes, tools) and replicate it better.

Pro Tip: Use “Link Intersect” to find sites linking to multiple competitors (high-potential targets).

The Psychology Behind the Skyscraper Technique (Why It Works)

Why People Link to Better Content

• Authority Bias: They trust “the best” resource.
• Usefulness: Saves them time (linking to outdated content hurts their credibility).
• Social Proof: If others link to you, they’re more likely to.

The Reciprocity Principle in Outreach

• Give before asking: Offer a small favor first:
  “By the way, I noticed your [resource] could use a 2025 update—happy to share our data!”
• Personalize: Mention their work:
  “Loved your article on [topic]—our guide expands on [specific point] with new data.”

Scarcity & FOMO Tactics

• Limited-Time Angles:
  “We’re featuring only 10 tools this year—your audience might want the list before it’s updated.”
• Exclusive Data:
  “This case study isn’t public yet—thought you’d want first access.”

Case Studies & Success Stories

How I Got 500+ Backlinks Using the Skyscraper Technique (Case Study)

The Campaign Breakdown

Niche: SaaS (Project Management Tools)
Target Post: “Best Trello Alternatives” (2,000 words, 1,200 backlinks)

Step 1: Finding the Right Content

• Used Ahrefs to identify a high-traffic (50K monthly visits) but outdated (2021) post.
• Filtered backlinks: 87% came from DR 20-60 sites (low-hanging fruit).

Step 2: Creating 10X Content

• Expanded to “21 Best Trello Alternatives in 2025 (Expert-Ranked).”
• Added:
  Video demos of each tool.
  Comparison tables (features, pricing).
  Exclusive data from a survey of 100 PMs.

Step 3: Outreach Strategy

• Tools: Hunter.io (emails), Lemlist (follow-ups).
• Email Template:
  “Hi [Name], I saw you linked to [Competitor’s Post]. We just published an updated guide with [X improvements]. Thought your readers might prefer this!”
• Conversion Rate: 12% (63 backlinks from 512 emails).

Results:

• Total Backlinks: 517 in 4 months.
• Traffic Growth: From 1K → 18K/month.

Key Takeaways:

✔ Outdated content is low-hanging fruit.
✔ Multimedia (videos, tables) boosts conversions.
❌ Generic outreach emails had <5% reply rates—personalization mattered.

Real-Life Skyscraper Technique Examples That Crushed It

Example 1: Blog Post Upgrade

• Original: “10 Best WordPress Plugins” (2019).
• Skyscraper Version: “53 Essential WordPress Plugins in 2025 (Tested for Speed).”

Why It Worked:

1. Added performance benchmarks (load-time tests).
2. Included exclusive developer interviews.
   Result: 200+ backlinks, ranked #1 for “best WordPress plugins.”

Example 2: Infographic

• Original: A basic “SEO Checklist” infographic.
• Skyscraper Version: Interactive SEO checklist with embed code for bloggers.

Why It Worked:

1. Made it easy to share (embedded links).
2. Updated with 2025 Google algorithm changes.
   Result: 320+ embeds (backlinks).

Example 3: Ultimate Guide

• Original: “How to Start a Podcast” (2020).
• Skyscraper Version: “The Podcast Launch Kit” (free templates, gear recommendations).

Why It Worked:

1. Offered downloadable resources.
2. Covered niche subtopics (e.g., “How to Monetize”).
   Result: 450+ backlinks, 25K monthly visitors.

How HubSpot Used the Skyscraper Technique to Dominate SEO

Their Strategy:

1. Identified Weak Competitors: Targeted thin posts like “Email Marketing Tips” (1,000 words).
2. Built 10X Content: Created “The Ultimate Guide to Email Marketing” (15,000 words, 50+ templates).
3. Aggressive Outreach: Partnered with influencers to share it.

Results:

• Backlinks: 3,000+ in 6 months.
• Traffic: Became the #1 result for “email marketing guide.”

Key Lessons:

✔ Depth beats breadth (long-form + actionable wins).
✔ Distribution matters (HubSpot promoted it via webinars, social).
❌One-time updates aren’t enough—they refreshed it quarterly.

Tools & Resources for the Skyscraper Technique

Best Tools to Execute the Skyscraper Technique Like a Pro

Competitor Research & SEO Analysis

• Ahrefs – Best for backlink analysis, content gap research, and keyword tracking.
• SEMrush – Great for competitor benchmarking and traffic analytics.
• Moz – Useful for domain authority (DA) checks and link prospecting.

Email Outreach & Follow-ups

• Hunter.io – Finds email addresses for backlink prospects.
• Lemlist – Automates personalized cold email sequences.
• Mailchimp / GMass – For larger outreach campaigns.

Content Quality & Optimization

• Grammarly – Ensures error-free, polished content.
• Hemingway Editor – Improves readability (aim for Grade 6-8).
• SurferSEO / Clearscope – Helps optimize for target keywords.

Bonus Tools

• Canva – Creates eye-catching visuals (infographics, featured images).
• Loom – Records quick video pitches for personalized outreach.

How to Use Ahrefs/SEMrush for the Skyscraper Technique

Step 1: Find Top-Ranking Content

1. Enter a target keyword (e.g., “best project management tools”).
2. Check top-ranking pages in Ahrefs’ “Organic Keywords” report.
3. Sort by “Traffic” or “Backlinks” to find the best candidates.

Pro Tip: Look for posts with high traffic but low DR (Domain Rating)—easier to outrank.

Step 2: Analyze Competitor Backlinks

1. In Ahrefs, enter a competitor’s URL → “Backlinks” report.
2. Filter by “Dofollow” links (most valuable for SEO).
3. Export the list for outreach.

Pro Tip: Use “Link Intersect” to find sites linking to multiple competitors.

To avoid penalties, analyze domains properly using How to Analyze a Website Before Getting a Backlink.

Make sure your tools are solid—see Best Link Building Tools in 2025.

Step 3: Track Your Progress

• Monitor rankings (Ahrefs/SEMrush rank tracker).
• Track new backlinks (Ahrefs “Backlinks” report for your URL).
• Check traffic growth (Google Analytics + Search Console).

Free Skyscraper Technique Template for Faster Outreach

Email Template (Blogger Outreach Version)

Subject: Thought You Might Like This Updated Resource

Hi [First Name],

I noticed you linked to [Competitor’s Post] in your article on [Topic]. We recently published an updated guide with [X Improvement—e.g., 2025 data, expert interviews, video tutorials].

Since your readers found [Topic] useful, I thought you might want to check it out: [Your Link]

Let me know if you’d like any additional info!

Best,
[Your Name]

Follow-Up Sequence (3 Emails)

1. First Email – Friendly pitch (above).
2. Follow-Up (5-7 days later) – “Just circling back—did you get a chance to check it out?”
3. Final Follow-Up (7 days later) – “Would love your feedback if you have a minute!”

Common Mistakes & How to Fix Them

7 Skyscraper Technique Mistakes That Kill Your SEO Results

1. Targeting the Wrong Content

Mistake: Choosing articles that are too competitive (DR 70+) or irrelevant to your niche.
Fix: Use Ahrefs to find low-DR (<40) pages with 100+ backlinks in your industry.

2. Not Making Content 10X Better

Mistake: Only slightly updating the original (e.g., changing publish date).
Fix: Add video tutorials, expert quotes, case studies, or interactive tools.

3. Poor Outreach Emails

Mistake: Sending generic, spammy emails like “Check out my article!”
Fix: Personalize with:

• Their name + site mention.
• Why your content improves on the original.

4. Ignoring Follow-Ups

Mistake: Sending one email and quitting.
Fix: Follow up 2-3 times (60% of replies come after the first email).

5. Not Tracking Results

Mistake: Guessing what works instead of measuring.
Fix: Track:

• Backlinks earned (Ahrefs).
• Email reply rates (Lemlist/Mailchimp).

6. Duplicate Content Risks

Mistake: Copying structure/ideas without adding value.
Fix: Add 30%+ unique content (original research, redesign visuals).

7. Giving Up Too Soon

Mistake: Quitting after 2 weeks.
Fix: It takes 3-6 months to see full SEO impact.

Avoid mistakes like rapid link spikes listed in 10 Common Link Building Mistakes to Avoid.

Why Your Skyscraper Content Isn’t Getting Backlinks (And How to Fix It)

Diagnosing Weak Content

Problem: No backlinks after publishing? Check:

• Lack of Depth: Is your post longer/more detailed than competitors’?
• Poor Formatting: Walls of text? Add subheaders, images, bullet points.
• No Hook: Missing unique data, tools, or downloads?

Improving Outreach

Low Reply Rates? Try:

• Personalization: Mention their article + how yours complements it.
• Timing: Send emails Tuesday-Thursday, 10 AM–2 PM.
• Subject Lines: “Quick suggestion for your [Topic] article”

When to Pivot

If after 2 months you get 0 links:

1. Update the content (add videos, new data).
2. Target different competitors (lower DR).
3. Try a new angle (e.g., switch from “Best Tools” to “Tools for [Niche]”).

How to Avoid Duplicate Content Penalties When Using the Skyscraper Technique

1. Add Unique Insights

• Original Research: Conduct surveys or experiments.
• Expert Opinions: Interview industry leaders.
• New Formats: Turn a list into a video guide or interactive quiz.

2. Properly Cite Sources

• Don’t Copy: Rewrite all text in your own words.
• Credit Competitors: “As mentioned in [Original Post], our tests show…”

3. Technical SEO Fixes

• Canonical Tags: If you quote heavily, use rel=canonical to point to the original.
• Internal Links: Link to your other articles to boost relevance.

Example of a Safe “Skyscrapered” Post

Original: “10 Best Running Shoes” (list with brief descriptions).
Yours: “The 2025 Runner’s Guide: 15 Shoes Tested by Marathoners” (with wear-test data, athlete interviews, and video reviews).

Outreach & Link-Building Tactics

The Perfect Skyscraper Technique Email Pitch (Templates Included)

3 High-Converting Email Templates

1. Blogger Outreach Template

Subject: Quick Suggestion for Your [Topic] Article

Hi [First Name],

I loved your article on [Topic]—especially the part about [Specific Detail].

We recently published an updated guide with [X Improvement: new data, 2025 insights, etc.] that your readers might find useful: [Your Link].

Would you consider adding it as a resource? Happy to share it on social too!

Best,
[Your Name]

Open Rate Hack: Use brackets in subject lines (e.g., “Quick Suggestion for Your [Topic] Article”)—they boost curiosity.

2. Journalist/PR Pitch

Subject: New Data for Your Next [Topic] Story

Hi [First Name],

*I noticed you’ve covered [Topic] before. Our team just published a study on [X] with never-before-seen data (survey of 500+ [industry pros]).*

Here’s the full report: [Link]. Let me know if you’d like an exclusive angle or interview!

Cheers,
[Your Name]

Pro Tip: Journalists love exclusive data. Offer them a scoop for better replies.

3. Business/Partnership Pitch

Subject: Collaboration Idea for [Their Brand]

Hi [First Name],

Big fan of [Their Company]’s work in [Niche].

We just published the ultimate guide to [Topic], featuring insights from [Experts]. Since your audience cares about [X], I thought you might want to:

• Share it with your followers?
• Collaborate on a co-branded version?

Let me know your thoughts!

Best,
[Your Name]

Why It Works: Businesses respond to partnership opportunities, not just link requests.

Promote your post with tips from Link Building Outreach Emails That Get Replies.

How to Get High DA Backlinks with the Skyscraper Technique

Prioritizing Authoritative Sites (DA 50+)

1. Filter Ahrefs’ “Backlinks” report by DR/DA ≥ 50.
2. Look for:
   • Industry blogs (e.g., HubSpot, Forbes contributors).
   • Resource pages (e.g., “Best Tools” roundups).
   • .edu/.gov sites (harder but valuable).

The “Power Blogger” Strategy

• Target influencers who’ve linked to competitors.
• Engage first: Comment on their posts, share their content, then pitch.
• Offer value: “I’ll promote your site if you include my guide.”

Example: A marketer got a DR 88 backlink by offering a free infographic to a top blogger.

Cold Outreach Hacks for the Skyscraper Technique

Personalization Tricks

• Mention their recent work:
  “Your post on [X] was spot-on—our guide expands on [Specific Point].”
• Use their name + site name (tools like Name2Email help find details).

Follow-Up Sequences

• First email: Day 1.
• Follow-up 1: Day 5 (“Just bumping this to your inbox!”).
• Follow-up 2: Day 12 (“Would love your feedback!”).
• Best times to send: Tuesday–Thursday, 10 AM–2 PM (recipient’s timezone).

Automation Without Losing Authenticity

• Use tools like Lemlist/Mailchimp for sequences.
• Add variables (e.g., {First Name}, {Company}).
• Avoid spam triggers: No ALL CAPS, excessive links, or salesy language.

The Future of the Skyscraper Technique

Is the Skyscraper Technique Still Effective in 2025?

Google’s Latest Algorithm Updates

With Helpful Content Update (HCU) and E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authority, Trustworthiness), Google now prioritizes:

• Depth over word count – A 5,000-word guide isn’t enough if it lacks expertise.
• User-first content – Solve problems better than competitors.
• Author credibility – Backlinks from authoritative sources matter more than ever.

Why the Skyscraper Technique Still Works (If Done Right)

Adapts to E-E-A-T:

• Adding expert interviews or original data boosts trust.
  Aligns with HCU:
• Improving outdated content inherently makes it more “helpful.”
  Beats AI-generated spam:
• Manual outreach + high-quality content outperforms generic AI posts.

Case Study: A 2025 Linkerbuzz audit found Skyscraper pages outrank AI-generated content by 3x when they include:

• Unique research (e.g., case studies).
• Multimedia (videos, calculators).

How AI Can Enhance the Skyscraper Technique for Faster Results

AI Tools for Content Research

• ChatGPT/Claude:
  • “Analyze this competitor’s post and suggest 10 improvements.”
  • “Generate a content outline for a skyscraper guide on [Topic].”
• Jasper/SurferSEO: Optimize drafts for readability + SEO.

Automating Outreach

• AI Email Personalization (Tools like Lavender, SmartWriter):
  • Scrapes prospects’ LinkedIn/site to auto-generate personalized lines:
    “Congrats on your recent post about [X]—our data complements your findings!”
• AI Follow-Ups: Tools like Lemlist auto-send sequences based on opens/clicks.

Example Workflow:

1. Ahrefs finds competitor backlinks → ChatGPT drafts emails → SmartWriter personalizes → Lemlist automates follow-ups.

Caution: Over-automation kills replies. Always humanize AI outputs.

The Evolution of the Skyscraper Technique: What’s Next?

1. Video & Interactive Skyscrapers

• Traditional: Improve a blog post → Future: Upgrade a YouTube video or podcast.
  • Example: Turn “10 Marketing Tips” into a free video course with embeddable clips.
• Interactive Content:
  • Quizzes, calculators, or AI chatbots (e.g., “Ask our SEO expert”).

2. Voice Search Optimization

• Skyscraper for FAQs: Optimize for long-tail, conversational queries.
  • Example: “Best running shoes for flat feet” → Voice-optimized snippet.

3. Predictions for the Next 5 Years

• AI + Human Hybrids: AI drafts content, but experts add credibility.
• Multi-Format Dominance: Top skyscrapers will include text + video + audio.
• Semantic SEO Focus: Google will reward topic clusters over single pages.

Conclusion

The Skyscraper Technique remains one of the most powerful SEO strategies—when done right. From finding weak competitors to crafting 10X content and mastering outreach, this guide has shown you how to earn backlinks, boost rankings, and dominate search results.

Key Takeaways Recap

1. Works in 2025: With E-E-A-T and Helpful Content focus, the Skyscraper Technique is more relevant than ever—if you prioritize quality over shortcuts.
2. Beginner to Advanced: Start by outranking weak competitors, then leverage AI, video, and interactive content for elite results.
3. Outreach = Game-Changer: Personalized emails to high-DA sites drive the most backlinks.
4. Future-Proof: Evolve beyond text—video skyscrapers and voice search optimization are next.

Final Tip: Consistency Beats Perfection

• Don’t wait for “perfect” content—launch, then refine based on feedback.
• Track results monthly: Even 5-10 new backlinks compound over time.
• Scale what works: Double down on topics that attract links.

Do You Want To Get Authoritative Backlinks & Skyrocket Your Rankings? Start Now!