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SEO Skyscraper Method: Definition, Benefits, & How to Do It

Last updated: Nov 08, 2024

https://cmlabs.co/en-us/seo-terms/seo-skyscraper

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What Is Skyscraper in SEO?

SEO skyscraper method is a content creation technique that outperforms competitors to boost your search engine result page (SERP) and attract backlinks from other sites.

The skyscraper technique was first introduced by Brian Dean, likening it to a skyscraper that always draws attention.

Typically, skyscraper content is created by reviewing competitors’ content and expanding it with added value and information, making it more valuable and of higher quality.

This enhancement can be achieved by creating more comprehensive, up-to-date content, incorporating visual assets, and presenting information supported by expert opinions.

Benefits of SEO Skyscraper

Google views backlinks on a website as a 'vote of confidence' that signifies authority and credibility. That’s why many business owners engage in link building strategies, with one popular method being the SEO skyscraper method.

This link building tactic offers several benefits for websites, including:

Gaining high-quality backlinks
Driving more web traffic
Enhancing content quality
Building website authority and reputation
Opening up collaboration opportunities
Boosting business visibility
Increasing conversions and sales

Skyscraper Method

The SEO skyscraper method is a tactic for acquiring quality backlinks, broken down into a few main steps: researching competitor content, creating content, and conducting email outreach. Here’s a more detailed explanation of each process:

1. Competitor Content Research

To start building skyscraper content, begin by researching competitor content. Look up a relevant keyword, then examine competitor content with strong backlink profiles.

The skyscraper technique often involves creating content types like how-to guides, comparison articles, product reviews, case studies, lists, and infographics.

A backlink checker tool can be useful to see how many backlinks a piece of content has, assess link quality, and determine if the content is regularly updated.

When evaluating the content, consider these questions to spot backlink opportunities:

Is the competitor’s content regularly updated?
Can you make content that outshines your competitors’?
Does the competitor have connections with the sites linking to them?
Would creating similar content lead to any potential conflicts?

After selecting your skyscraper content, make a note of why your content will be better and list potential sites that could link back to it.

2. Develop Your Skyscraper Content

Creating skyscraper content is all about crafting something better than your competitors. To do this, there are a few steps you can take, such as:

A. Create More In-Depth Content

Creating in-depth content means exploring the topic thoroughly. You can elaborate on each subtopic and include additional examples or case studies.

B. Incorporate Unique Insights

Enhance your content by adding unique insights, such as original research data, the latest statistics, expert opinions, or examples of the latest technology applications related to your topic.

C. Improve User Experience (UX)

By creating content on your website that offers a better user experience than your competitors, you can increase visit duration and make your content more appealing for others to link to.

D. Establish Business Credibility on Your Content Pages

Site owners are more likely to trust and link to content written by credible sources.

To enhance credibility, you can also add an author bio at the end of the article, including quotes from reputable sources, and showcase any certifications or awards your business has received on the content page.

E. Add Visual Elements Like Images, Graphs, Infographics, or Videos

To make your skyscraper content more engaging, consider adding images, photos, graphs, or short videos to enhance understanding and attract attention.

F. SEO Optimization

Alongside the above steps, it’s essential to ensure your skyscraper content is optimized for SEO.

Include relevant keywords naturally throughout the content, develop catchy titles and meta descriptions, and structure your content in an SEO-friendly way using headings and subheadings.

SEO-friendly content is easier to find in Google search results, ultimately increasing the chances of earning backlinks from other sites.

3. Conduct Email Outreach

The final step in the skyscraper method is conducting email outreach. Email outreach involves contacting website owners who may be interested in linking to your content.

This stage is crucial for link building, as you’ll need to explain why they should link to your content. Therefore, it’s important to communicate with only authoritative and credible site owners.

When reaching out via email, also clarify how your content provides more up-to-date, relevant, or valuable information for their audience. It's best to adopt a friendly and personalized approach.

In addition to reaching out to the backlink owners of competitor content, you can also seek out other similar websites that may be potential candidates for linking to your skyscraper content. This way, you can expand your link building prospects and build more quality links.