What are the 7 local linkbuilding tactics that are working right now?
These seven backlink tactics work because they match what Google looks for: trust, relevance and local authority. They are:
- Get listed in authoritative local directories like Yell.com and Checkatrade to strengthen your search presence.
- Earn links through local sponsorships and events that lead to mentions on trusted community websites.
- Offer testimonials to other local businesses and earn homepage backlinks that build your reputation.
- Leverage local press and media by pitching genuine stories to local journalists and bloggers.
- Partner with local bloggers and influencers who speak directly to your audience.
- Create hyperlocal content like neighbourhood guides and FAQs to attract natural links.
- Get involved in your community so you are mentioned on school sites, charity blogs and council pages.
These methods send strong location signals that improve your visibility in search results and get you in front of more potential customers in your service area.
Here's What We Have Covered In This Article
Get Listed in Authoritative Local Directories
Directories help people and search engines confirm your business details.
Example: A window cleaner in Leeds updated their listings on Yell.com, FreeIndex and Checkatrade, which improved their visibility in the local Map Pack.
How to Start:
-
Check all existing listings for accuracy
-
Add your business to trusted UK directories
-
Make sure your Name, Address and Phone number match everywhere
Accurate listings help Google’s local search algorithm trust your business location and services. This is a foundational step in any local backlink strategy.
Earn Links Through Local Sponsorships and Events
Sponsorship gives you visibility on community websites and builds backlinks with strong local relevance.
Example: A landscaping company sponsors a school fair and is linked from the event website, driving search visibility and new inbound leads.
How to Start:
-
Look for local events or school activities
-
Offer to sponsor in return for a mention
-
Share your logo, a short description and your website link
Pro Tip : Don’t rely on one tactic. Combining press, directories and hyperlocal content makes your backlink profile look more natural.
Book Your Local SEO Audit
Find out what’s holding your rankings back and where you can get real growth with our expert audit.
Offer Testimonials to Other Local Businesses
Testimonials are an easy way to build backlinks and strengthen local business ties.
Example: A physiotherapist writes a testimonial for their accountant, which is published on the accountant’s homepage with a link.
How to Start:
-
List businesses you already work with
-
Send each one a genuine, brief testimonial
-
Ask if they’d like to publish it with a link to your site
This approach improves your domain authority and supports your broader local SEO efforts.
Leverage Local Press and Online Media
Press backlinks are powerful when earned through genuine stories.
Example: A bakery starts a free kids’ baking club and gets featured in the local online paper with a backlink.
How to Start:
-
Pick something newsworthy about your business
-
Use platforms like PressPlugs or HARO UK
-
Keep the pitch short and focused on community value
These features often generate branded search interest and inbound leads that go beyond rankings.
Pro Tip: Always check if a site actually links out before pitching them, mentions without links won’t help your rankings nearly as much.
Partner with Local Bloggers and Influencers
Local creators have niche audiences that trust them.
Example: A florist is featured in a wedding blog about seasonal bouquets and receives a backlink.
How to Start:
-
Find bloggers or influencers in your area or industry
-
Build rapport by following or commenting
-
Offer helpful insights or a small collaboration
This tactic builds backlinks that reflect genuine engagement in your service area.
Create Hyperlocal Content That Attracts Links
Local content brings search traffic and backlinks when it answers real questions.
Example: A roofer writes “What to do if your flat roof leaks in Glasgow” and gets linked from local homeowner forums.
How to Start:
-
Think of one local question your customers ask
-
Write a helpful post that answers it
-
Share it in online groups or link from your business profile
Content like this not only helps your audience but strengthens your local backlink strategy through organic sharing.
Need Local SEO Done For You?
Save time and get results with our fully managed local SEO service tailored for your town or trade.
Use Community Involvement to Build Natural Links
Helping in your community often leads to online mentions.
Example: An IT support company runs a tech-help session and is featured on a local centre’s website.
How to Start:
-
Volunteer for a local school, group or charity
-
Document the activity (photos help)
-
Ask for a short write up and a link if they have a website
These natural backlinks are strong trust signals in Google’s local search algorithm and contribute directly to search visibility.
Common LinkBuilding Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Outreach Mistakes:
-
Using one generic email for every contact
-
Forgetting to check if sites actually link out
Content Mistakes:
-
Writing location pages with no helpful content
-
Overloading posts with keywords instead of real answers
Directory Mistakes:
-
Using irrelevant or low quality directories
-
Mismatched business details across listings
Strategy Mistakes:
-
Relying too heavily on one tactic
-
Chasing quantity instead of relevance and trust
All examples and directories listed here are accurate and current as of publication, based on publicly available information. Businesses mentioned are used hypothetically and not tied to specific real entities.
Quick DIY vs Agency Hand Off: What Can You Tackle Alone?
You can manage many of these tasks yourself:
-
Adding listings
-
Writing content
-
Building relationships with local creators
Agencies can help with:
-
Outreach to press and bloggers
-
Content production
-
Link monitoring and strategy
Ask Yourself:
-
Can I do this consistently?
-
Do I have time to pitch or write?
-
Would a specialist get quicker results?
Ask agencies to show local SEO examples. Avoid anyone selling bulk link packages.
Turning Local Links into Local Leads
Local links do more than push you up the rankings. They improve your search visibility and help customers in your service area find you at the right moment.
Every good link acts as a public thumbs up. The more relevant mentions you earn, the more Google and your local audience will trust you.
Glossary of Local SEO Terms
NAP: Name, Address, Phone number. These must match on all listings.
Citations: Business mentions across the web, with or without a backlink.
Local Link: A backlink from a site that shares your geographic relevance.
Structured Data: Extra code that helps Google understand your services, hours and location.
Domain Authority: A rough measure of how strong your website is based on links.
Map Pack: The three local business results shown above the rest in Google search.
Inbound Leads: People who visit your site or contact you as a result of search or links.
Service Area: The towns or postcodes where your business actively offers services.
Google’s Local Search Algorithm: The system Google uses to decide which local businesses appear in results based on proximity, relevance and prominence.
