Most “link building” advice hasn’t kept up with Google’s March 2024 Core Update. If you’re asking how to get backlinks that move rankings now, the answer isn’t volume—it’s verifiable value, brand mentions, and links earned by useful assets. In my experience leading 300+ link audits since 2014, sustainable growth comes from audience-first content and trust-building outreach.
In this guide, you’ll learn how to get good backlinks, have backlinks indexed, earn links from authority sites, and get rid of bad backlinks safely. You’ll also see Axiom360’s 2026 playbook, which you can apply this quarter.
The fastest, risk-proof way to get backlinks in 2026 is to build linkable assets (data, tools, templates), run targeted digital PR to relevant journalists, contribute expert insights on trusted sites, and maintain backlink hygiene. Avoid link schemes. Focus on E-E-A-T and newsworthy value.
The 2026 Reality: How to get Backlinks the Right Way
Google’s March 2024 Core Update folded the Helpful Content signals deeper into ranking systems. Thin, scaled link-building tactics now fail faster. To get backlinks that help, align with E-E-A-T, and provide user value. Focus on content that earns attention and genuine citations.
Key shifts we see at Axiom360 UK:
- Topical authority beats domain authority alone. Depth matters.
- Links from relevant, trusted pages outperform generic high-DR links.
- Brand mentions plus links correlate with stable ranking wins.
Industry surveys in 2024 report that digital PR and content-led outreach rank among the most effective link strategies (Aira, 2024). Google’s own guidance stresses avoiding link schemes and building for people first (Google Search Central, 2024). If you’re wondering how to get backlinks to your website today, start by serving an audience’s needs better than anyone else.
Build Linkable Assets that Earn Links at Scale
Linkable assets are resources people want to cite. These include original data, industry benchmarks, calculators, research-backed guides, and free tools. Our best-performing campaigns combine proprietary data with clear visuals and expert commentary.
Asset ideas that work in 2026:
- Data studies: Aggregate anonymized usage or survey data into a report.
- Calculators and templates: Time-savers convert into organic citations.
- Interactive maps or APIs: A useful visualization equals natural linking.
Example: A B2B SaaS client launched a “Cost Savings Calculator” and a yearly “Industry Performance Index.” Over twelve months, the two assets earned links from trade press, universities, and niche blogs without paid placements. If you need to know how to get a backlink quickly, refresh an existing guide with new data and pitch the update to sites that previously covered the topic.
Digital PR and Newsjacking that Journalists Open
Journalists remain receptive to authoritative sources and credible data. The challenge is noise. Media reports in 2024 show reporters are inundated with pitches weekly (Cision, 2024). You must stand out with relevance, brevity, and proof.
How to run PR that earns links:
- Develop a timely hook. Tie your data or insights to an emerging trend.
- Craft a tight pitch. 5–7 sentences with one chart and one quote.
- Target precisely. Build beat-specific lists; personalize the angle.
- Be quotable. Offer expert commentary and a unique data point.
- Follow up once. Respect inboxes; provide assets in one click.
Newsjacking example: When regulations changed in a client’s industry, we published a short, sourced explainer with projected impact scenarios. We pitched niche editors within 48 hours. The result was coverage from three respected trade publications and a government-linked resource page. This is how to get backlinks to your website without spam—show up with timely value.
Getting Backlinks from Authority Sites Ethically
Getting backlinks from authority sites requires demonstrating expertise and trust. Prioritize relevance and audience alignment over raw metrics. A single link from a respected niche publication can outperform dozens of generic directory links.
Tactics we use at Axiom360 Digital Marketing Agency:
- Expert contributions: Offer quotes or analyses to reputable outlets.
- Resource pages: Curate truly useful guides; pitch librarians and .edu curators.
- Collaborative research: Co-author reports with associations or universities.
- Partnership content: Webinars, whitepapers, and joint tool launches.
Guest posting is viable when it’s editorially earned and adds value. Avoid networks that guarantee links. Google’s spam policies target unnatural link exchange and scaled guest posts. If you need to learn how to get good backlinks sustainably, become the subject-matter expert editors want.
Backlink Indexing and Removing Bad Backlinks
Backlinks indexed quickly drive faster impact. Discovery depends on crawl paths, referring page crawlability, and site authority. Help search engines find new links by strengthening internal linking, keeping your sitemap clean, and ensuring the referring pages are crawlable.
Tips to get backlinks indexed sooner:
- Earn links on pages that are themselves frequently crawled.
- Build a “Press & Mentions” page and link to new coverage.
- Promote new features on social channels that search engines crawl.
Now, how to get rid of bad backlinks? Start with a risk-based audit. Identify obviously manipulative links, hacked domains, PBNs, and irrelevant foreign-language spam. Request removal when practical. If the volume is high or the domains are unresponsive, use Google’s disavow tool cautiously. Document everything for accountability. Remember: Google is good at ignoring many low-quality links on its own, so reserve disavow for clear cases of attempted manipulation.
Expert Insights
“Links help when they prove you’re the most useful answer. If they’re not earned, they’re a liability.”
Usman Mussaddaq, Head of SEO at Axiom360.
“Our highest-ROI links come from data assets and expert commentary, not from directories or swaps.”
Sehrish Umer, Digital PR Lead at Axiom360 U.K.
“Indexation speed improved when we consolidated internal linking and published a living ‘Mentions’ hub.”
Sana Riaz, Technical SEO Copy Writerat Axiom360.
Practical 30-day plan
Use this checklist to operationalize how to get backlinks to your website:
- Week 1: Audit. Map top opportunities, prune obvious spam, and define one linkable asset.
- Week 2: Build. Produce a data-led asset plus a one-page press explainer with visuals.
- Week 3: Pitch. Create targeted media lists. Send 30–50 personalized pitches to relevant beats.
- Week 4: Amplify. Publish a “Press & Mentions” hub, post on social, and repurpose insights.
Avoid common mistakes: buying links, mass guest posting, and vague pitches. Track new linking pages, referral traffic, and assisted conversions. This is a practical, people-first link-building Axiom360 digital marketing company in the UK that delivers across sectors.
Conclusion: Build links that People are Proud to give
If you’re serious about how to get backlinks in 2026, invest in assets, relationships, and trust. Earn editorial citations with useful content and ethical outreach. Need a partner? Axiom360 UK can help you secure relevant coverage, have backlinks indexed, and maintain a clean link profile.
About the Author
Sehrish Javed is a Tech SEO Content Writer with 3+ years of experience, specializing in SaaS and AI-powered SEO platforms. She writes search-driven, product-led content that simplifies complex SEO topics and helps businesses grow through clear strategy, strong search intent alignment, and data-informed content decisions. Her work focuses on turning SEO insights into practical value for marketers, founders, and growth teams.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you get backlinks to your website in 2026?
Create linkable assets, run targeted digital PR, and contribute expert insights to relevant publications. Avoid link schemes. Ensure technical health so new links are discovered. Focus on audience-first value that earns citations, not just placements.
How to get good backlinks without paying?
Publish data, tools, and research that others need to cite. Pitch journalists with concise, timely angles. Offer expert commentary to trusted outlets. Build relationships, not transactions. Good backlinks are editorial, relevant, and contextually placed on quality pages.
How to get rid of bad backlinks safely?
Audit your profile. Contact webmasters for removal when feasible. Use Google’s disavow tool only for clear manipulative patterns. Document actions and monitor Search Console. Google ignores many low-quality links, so prioritize the worst offenders.
How long until new backlinks are indexed?
It varies from days to weeks. Factors include the referring site’s crawl rate, your site’s authority, and internal linking. Help discovery with a “Press & Mentions” hub and by promoting new coverage across crawlable channels.
What counts as getting backlinks from authority sites?
Links from reputable, relevant publications, associations, universities, and recognized industry blogs. Authority is contextual. A niche trade journal can beat a generic high-metric site if its audience aligns with your topic and buyers.
Can AI help with how to get backlinks?
Yes, for research and personalization at scale. Use AI to draft outreach, summarize data, and cluster journalist beats. Human review is essential. Never automate link placement or fabricate quotes; that risks penalties and brand trust.
