Skyscraper Technique

The Skyscraper Technique is a link building method where you find content that has already attracted many backlinks, create something clearly better, then contact the sites linking to the original and suggest your version. The name comes from the idea of building taller than what already exists.

Written by Paul Hoda, SEO consultant since 2005. Last updated 8 November 2026.

How it works

The method was popularised by SEO Brian Dean in the mid-2010s and has three basic stages:

  1. Find a proven topic: use a backlink tool to find pages in your niche with many referring domains.
  2. Make it better: create a page that is more useful, more current, better designed or more thorough than the original.
  3. Reach out: contact the people who link to the original page, explain what is new about yours and ask whether they would consider linking to it.

What “better” really means

Longer is not automatically better. A common mistake is producing a huge article that simply repeats what is already out there. Strong skyscraper content usually adds something the original lacks:

  • Fresh, accurate information where the original is out of date.
  • Original research, data or first-hand testing.
  • Clearer structure, examples, diagrams or tools.
  • Expert input that improves trust.
  • Genuine information gain: something a reader cannot get elsewhere.

Why it can work

The technique starts with evidence. If a page has earned many links, the topic is clearly one that people reference. You also get a ready-made list of relevant sites to contact. The finished page can become one of your linkable assets, attracting links long after the outreach ends, and it may rank well for its own keywords.

The research stage is useful even if outreach is slow. Studying why a page earned links tells you what your audience values, which helps you plan future content and spot gaps competitors have missed.

Common pitfalls

  • Weak improvement: if your page is only slightly better, site owners have little reason to change an existing link.
  • Generic outreach: template emails sent in bulk are usually ignored. Personal, relevant pitches do better.
  • Ignoring relevance: some linking pages cited the original for a narrow reason your page may not cover.
  • Overused topics: popular niches have seen many skyscraper attempts, so editors are often wary.
  • Low response rates: expect most emails to go unanswered and plan the effort accordingly.

Tips for better results

  1. Choose topics where you have real expertise or data to add.
  2. Check why each site linked to the original before contacting them.
  3. Keep emails short, specific and honest. Do not offer payment for links, as that turns the effort into paid links.
  4. Promote the content through other channels too, such as digital PR and social media.
  5. Keep the page updated so it stays the best resource over time.

Key Takeaways

  • The Skyscraper Technique improves on content that already earns links.
  • You then contact sites linking to the original and suggest your version.
  • Better means more useful or original, not just longer.
  • Personal, relevant outreach works far better than bulk templates.
  • Most emails will go unanswered, so pick topics with real potential.
  • Keep the page updated so it stays worth linking to.

Related Terms

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