And How It Helps Improve Your SEO Performance
In the competitive world of digital marketing, content that truly stands tall above the rest wins. That’s where the Skyscraper Technique comes into play.
Coined by Brian Dean of Backlinko, the skyscraper method focuses on creating content that is better, more valuable, and more comprehensive than what’s currently ranking high in your niche and using that superior content to earn quality backlinks.
Let’s break down how the Skyscraper Technique works and how it directly benefits your Search Engine Optimization (SEO) strategy.
🧱 What Is the Skyscraper Technique?
The skyscraper method is a white hat link-building strategy that revolves around improving existing high-performing content in your industry and promoting your improved version to get backlinks.
Think of it like building the tallest skyscraper on the internet block. You find the tallest one (a top-ranking piece of content), and then you build something even taller (your content) so that everyone notices and links to it.
🛠️ Step-by-Step Guide to the Skyscraper SEO Technique
1. Find High-Performing Content
Search for popular blog posts, infographics, or guides in your niche that:
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Rank on the first page of Google.
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Have a lot of backlinks.
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Are shared frequently.
Tools like Ahrefs, SEMrush, or BuzzSumo can help you discover what’s already working well.
2. Analyze That Content
Dissect what makes the original content successful:
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Is it the structure? Depth? Visuals?
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What topics or subtopics does it cover?
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Are there any gaps or outdated stats?
Identify opportunities for improvement and areas where your version can provide more value.
3. Create Something Better
Now, build your “skyscraper”:
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Make your content longer and more detailed.
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Add new insights, updated statistics, or fresh examples.
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Include high-quality visuals, infographics, videos, or case studies.
This step is all about outperforming the competition by offering more to the reader.
4. Do Keyword Research
Optimize your content with:
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Primary keywords (that match searcher intent).
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Long-tail keywords.
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Relevant semantic terms.
Use tools like Google Keyword Planner or Ubersuggest to guide your on-page SEO strategy.
5. Outreach and Promotion
Content without promotion is like a billboard in the desert.
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Reach out to websites, bloggers, and influencers who have linked to the original content.
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Show them your updated version and explain how it adds more value.
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Ask if they’d consider linking to your improved resource.
This step is key for earning high-quality backlinks.
6. Earn and Build Backlinks
The goal is to gain authority backlinks from relevant and reputable websites.
When people see the value in your upgraded content, they’re more likely to:
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Link to it from their own blog posts.
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Share it on social media.
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Reference it as a go-to resource.
✅ Benefits of the Skyscraper Technique for SEO
🔗 1. Quality Backlinks
Search engines treat backlinks as endorsements. Earning contextual, relevant links from authoritative sources:
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Boosts your domain authority.
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Improves your keyword rankings.
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Enhances overall trustworthiness.
📈 2. Higher Rankings on SERPs
Google rewards high-value content with better positions on Search Engine Results Pages (SERPs). When your skyscraper post earns links and keeps users engaged, it signals search engines that your page deserves to rank.
🌟 3. Improved Reputation and Credibility
When authoritative websites link to your content, your brand is seen as a credible, trusted source. Over time, this builds brand authority in your niche.
🚀 4. Increased Organic Traffic
More backlinks = higher rankings = more clicks. It’s that simple.
Also, the sites that link to you often send direct referral traffic people who are highly engaged and more likely to convert.
⏳ 5. Long-Term SEO Value
Unlike paid ads that disappear when the budget ends, skyscraper content continues to:
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Rank well.
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Attract backlinks.
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Drive traffic over time.
It’s a sustainable, long-term SEO strategy.
🆚 6. Gain a Competitive Edge
When your content consistently outperforms others in your industry, you:
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Outrank competitors.
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Earn more visibility.
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Establish thought leadership.
🔁 7. Content Reusability
Once you’ve built your skyscraper content, you can repurpose it into:
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YouTube videos
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Podcasts
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Infographics
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Social media carousels
This extends your content lifespan and helps you earn links from different content formats.
📌 Final Thoughts
The Skyscraper Technique isn’t just about writing longer content it’s about creating more useful, authoritative, and engaging resources than what already exists.
When done right, it:
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Strengthens your link profile.
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Boosts organic rankings.
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Builds trust and credibility with your audience.
💡 Pro Tip: Consistency is key. You may not strike gold with your first attempt, but by continually refining your strategy and providing genuine value, success will follow.