Are you ready to elevate your SaaS link building strategy?

At VH Info, we understand the power of effective link building to drive organic traffic and improve search rankings. 

The skyscraper method is a proven link building tactic that can help you generate high quality backlinks, boost organic search traffic, and outrank competitors.

In this guide, we’ll break down exactly how the skyscraper technique works and share actionable tips to execute this powerful strategy effectively.

What Is The Skyscraper Technique?

The skyscraper technique, pioneered by Brian Dean of Backlinko, is a link-building tactic that involves finding popular content in your niche, creating an even better piece of content on that topic, and promoting your skyscraper content to the right people to earn quality backlinks.

Think of it this way: just as people are drawn to the tallest skyscraper, the skyscraper technique aims to create the best content that stands out from similar content in the search engine results pages (SERPs).

What Is The Origin Of Skyscraper Technique?

Brian Dean developed the skyscraper method in 2015, and it quickly gained popularity as an effective SEO skyscraper technique.

Dean’s case study demonstrated a significant increase in organic traffic to his website in just two weeks by 110%. The technique’s name comes from the idea of surpassing existing popular content, much like constructing an even taller skyscraper than what already exists.

Who Is Skyscraper Technique For?

The skyscraper technique is valuable for anyone looking to improve their search rankings through effective link building.

It is especially beneficial for:

• SaaS businesses aiming to enhance their online presence
• Digital marketing professionals seeking proven content marketing strategies
• SEO specialists focused on driving organic traffic and acquiring quality backlinks

Applicability Of Skyscraper Technique Across Domains

While particularly effective for SaaS, the skyscraper technique can be adapted across various industries. The core principles of finding relevant content, creating better content, and promoting it to the right people remain consistent, regardless of the specific domain.

Does The Skyscraper Method Still Work?

Yes, the skyscraper method is still effective, but it requires adaptation and refinement. While website owners may be more accustomed to outreach requests, a personalized and compelling approach can still yield significant results.

To succeed in 2025, focus on providing unique value and aligning your content with search intent.

How The Skyscraper Technique Works?

The skyscraper technique works through a systematic approach to content creation and promotion.

Here’s a breakdown of the key steps:

Identify High-Performing Content

The first step involves identifying popular content in your niche that has already attracted a significant number of numbers of backlinks. Use use tools like Ahrefs’ Site Explorer, Content Explorer, or Keywords Explorer to find relevant content with lots of backlinks.

Create Superior Content

Once you’ve identified a promising piece of content, the next step is to create superior content that surpasses the original article in quality and value. This may involve:

• Updating outdated information
• Adding more in-depth analysis
• Including engaging visuals
• Improving the user experience
• Providing unique insights

Create Content That Is 10x Better

Aim to create content that is significantly better than the existing content.

Consider ways to make your content pieces more comprehensive, up-to-date, visually appealing, and user-friendly. This could involve adding original research, case studies, expert quotes, or interactive elements.

Promote Your Content

With your superior content ready, the next step is to promote it to the right people. This involves reaching out to website owners and bloggers who have previously linked to similar content you improved upon.

Reach Out To Websites

Create personalized outreach emails that highlight the value of your new content and explain why it would be a valuable resource for their audience. Focus on building genuine connections and offering helpful insights rather than simply asking for a link.

How Does The Skyscraper Technique In SEO Help Rankings?

The SEO skyscraper technique helps improve search rankings in a few key ways.

First, by creating superior content that’s better than what’s already out there, you’re providing more value to the target audience. This can lead to increased engagement and longer time on page, which are positive ranking factors.

Second, by reaching out to website owners who have linked to similar content, you’re building high-quality backlinks from authoritative sites. These quality backlinks signal to search engines that your content is trustworthy and valuable.

Finally, the increased visibility and organic traffic that result from these efforts can further boost your search engine rankings over time. It is a very powerful strategy that is worth using.

When Should You Use Skyscraper Pages?

Skyscraper pages are particularly effective in a few specific situations. If you’re trying to rank for competitive target keywords, creating a skyscraper page can help you stand out from the crowd and attract the quality backlinks you need to climb the rankings.

Also, if you want to establish yourself as an expert in your niche, creating authoritative content that provides unique value can help you build credibility and trust with your target audience.

This type of content can be a great way to demonstrate your knowledge and expertise, which can lead to more opportunities for collaboration and partnerships.

Plus, if you’re looking to drive more organic search traffic to your website, skyscraper pages can be a great way to attract visitors who are actively searching for information on your topic.

How To Build Skyscraper Pages To Generate Backlinks?

The skyscraper technique can drive organic traffic and improve your search rankings. It’s all about finding what’s already working, making it better, and connecting with the right people to get those valuable quality backlinks.

Find Relevant Content With Lots Of Backlinks

The first step is identifying popular content in your niche that has already attracted a significant number of lots of backlinks. This shows that the topic resonates with people and that there is a demand for information on the subject.

Instead of guessing what to write about, you’re building on proven success.

• Use Site Explorer: Tools like Ahrefs’ Site Explorer let you analyze the backlink profile of your competitors. You can see which pages on their site have the most links pointing to them. Enter their domain, navigate to “Pages,” and then “Best by Links” to find their top-performing content pieces. This helps you identify strong topics to “skyscrape.”
• Use Content Explorer: Ahrefs’ Content Explorer is like a search engine, but specifically for content. You can search for a broad topic related to your niche and it will show you all the pages that mention that term. The cool thing is, that you can then sort those pages by the number of referring domains. This helps you identify the most popular content and the most backlinks on that topic.
• Use Keywords Explorer: Ahrefs’ Keywords Explorer helps you find keywords that people are searching for. It also shows you the top-ranking pages for those keywords. This is useful because it helps you identify opportunities to create skyscraper content that targets specific search terms. Use the Keywords Explorer to see what people are looking for and what content already exists.

Create Something Better

Once you have identified a promising piece of content, the next step is to create something significantly better that surpasses the original article in quality and value.

Don’t just rewrite the existing content; aim to make it more comprehensive, up-to-date, visually appealing, and easier to read. This is where you put in the work to make your content truly stand out.

Reach Out To The Right People

Now that you’ve created your superior content, it’s time to connect with the right people who might be interested in linking to it.

This means finding website owners and bloggers who have previously linked to similar content. The key here is to offer something valuable and explain why your content would be a great resource for their audience.

Find Relevant Outreach Opportunities

You can use Site Explorer to find websites that have linked to the original article you improved upon. Look for relevant websites with a strong backlink profile and a genuine interest in your topic. These are the people most likely to be interested in your better content.

• Send Outreach Emails: Create personalized outreach emails that highlight the value of your new content and explain why it would be a valuable resource for their audience. Avoid generic templates and focus on building genuine connections with website owners. Make sure each email is addressed to the person you are sending it to. A personalized message is more likely to get a response.
• Use Social Media: Social media can be a valuable tool for promoting your skyscraper content and connecting with influencers in your industry. Share your content pieces on relevant platforms and engage with discussions related to your topic. Don’t just drop a link; create engaging, shareable posts that highlight the unique value of your content. This can help you reach a wider audience and potentially earn more links.
• Reach Out To Influencers: Identify key influencers in your niche and reach out to them with a personalized message. Offer them exclusive access to your content or invite them to collaborate on future projects. Building relationships with influencers can significantly amplify your reach and help you generate quality backlinks.

What is Skyscraper Content?

Skyscraper content is a strategy for creating content that is designed to “stand out” in a crowded online space. Skyscraper content is website material that’s styled after other popular content to attract more web traffic.

The term “skyscraper” is used because the content is supposed to be so comprehensive and authoritative that it “towers” over other content on the topic.

It’s about finding what’s already popular content in your niche, identifying its weaknesses, and then creating something even better.

This could mean updating outdated information, adding more in-depth analysis, including engaging visuals, or improving the user experience. The goal is to create a content piece that’s so valuable and comprehensive that it attracts traffic, shares, and quality backlinks.

The Benefits Of Skyscraper Content

Skyscraper content offers a range of benefits for your SEO and content marketing efforts. It can help you improve your search engine rankings by attracting quality backlinks from authoritative websites.

It leads to increased organic traffic to your site captures audience attention and boosts website traffic. Skyscraper content positions your brand as a thought leader and authority in your industry, which can help build trust and credibility with your target audience.

By consistently delivering exceptional content, you can establish a strong online presence and attract more leads and conversions. Moreover, with the centralized information, it’s easier for a user to follow the story and understand your content.

Pros and Cons Of Using The Skyscraper Technique

The skyscraper technique can help with SEO, but it isn’t a perfect solution. There are both good and bad sides to it.

Pros

One of the biggest advantages of the skyscraper technique is that you’re building on popular content that has already proven to resonate with your target audience.

You have the luxury of choosing content pieces that are already relevant, and popular, and have some backlinks to improve upon. There’s a strong possibility that the sites that published the original article would be interested in your updated piece of content as well.

Also, much of the initial keyword research has already been completed for you in the form of your original post. This can save you time and effort in the content creation process, allowing you to focus on creating something truly exceptional.

Cons

The greatest drawback to the SEO Skyscraper Technique is the amount of time and effort it takes to implement.

Creating superior content requires significant time and resources for research, writing, design, and promotion. It’s the link-building equivalent of climbing Mount Everest.

There is fierce competition for backlinks due to broad topic and It is never a sure thing that other websites will agree to include a link to your website. It is important to keep in mind that It is never an excuse to plagiarize content.

Why The Skyscraper Technique Fails and How To Improve Your Chances Of Success?

While the skyscraper technique offers a good plan, it can still fail. Often, this happens because people take a shallow approach. Just copying existing content or sending the same outreach emails won’t bring the results you want.

Sending Only Brian’s Email Template

Using the exact same email template that Brian Dean used is one of the reasons why the SEO skyscraper technique fails.

Generic outreach emails are a surefire way to get ignored. You need to personalize your message to each recipient, showing that you’ve researched their site and understand their audience.

Mention something specific about their content or their target audience to show that you’re not just sending a mass email.

Not Segmenting Your Prospects

Not all websites are created equal. You need to segment your outreach prospects based on their relevance, authority, and engagement level.

Focus on building genuine connections with website owners. This will allow you to tailor your messaging and prioritize your efforts on those who are most likely to be interested in your better content.

Not Reaching Out To Enough People

The skyscraper technique is a numbers game. You need to reach out to a large enough pool of prospects to generate meaningful results.

Even with a great piece of content and a personalized outreach email, not everyone will respond. Don’t be discouraged by initial rejection and continue to refine your approach.

Thinking Bigger Equals Better

While comprehensive content is important, it’s not the only factor that determines success. Don’t just add more words for the sake of it. Focus on creating authoritative content that is not only thorough but also engaging, visually appealing, and aligned with search intent.

Not Considering Brand

Your skyscraper content should align with your brand’s values, voice, and messaging. Don’t create something that feels out of place or inconsistent with your other content. This will help you build a consistent brand identity and establish trust with your target audience.

Skyscraper Technique Tools To Use

1. Ahrefs: This is a powerhouse for backlink analysis and keyword research. It helps you find link opportunities and see which sites are linking to your competitors. You can use it to analyze the backlink profile of specific pages, find popular content within your niche, and identify keywords with high search volume. Ahrefs is essential for identifying the best content to “skyscrape“.
2. Semrush: It provides keyword research and tracking, as well as competitor analysis. With Semrush, you can identify target keywords, analyze the top-ranking pages for those keywords, and discover opportunities to create skyscraper content that targets valuable search terms. Semrush also helps you track your search engine rankings and monitor your progress over time.
3. Google Analytics: This tool helps you track website traffic and user behavior, allowing for optimization of content and user experience. By analyzing which pages are most popular, how long users spend on those pages, and where they’re coming from, you can gain valuable insights into what’s working and what’s not. This information can help you refine your skyscraper content and make it even more appealing to your target audience.
4. Google Search Console: Google Search Console gives you insights into how your website performs in Google search engine results. You can see which keywords your site is ranking for, how many clicks you’re getting, and what your click-through rate is. It also helps with identifying and fixing technical SEO issues, ensuring that your skyscraper content is easily crawlable and indexable by Google.

Is The Skyscraper Method Still Effective in 2025?

Yes, the skyscraper method is still effective in 2025, but it requires adaptation and refinement. While website owners may be more accustomed to outreach requests, a personalized and compelling approach can still yield significant results.

To succeed, focus on providing unique value and aligning your content with search intent, as Google’s algorithms have evolved to prioritize quality and relevance, so simply creating longer content isn’t enough.

Creating authoritative content is essential in establishing you as an expert in your niche. Continue to build a strong backlink profile to help give you a leg up on the competition.

Actionable Tips For Skyscraper Technique

1. Refine Your Content Ideation Process: Ensure that each content idea is thoroughly researched, addresses a specific need, and has the potential for significant impact. Look for gaps in the existing content, identify emerging trends, and consider what your target audience is actively searching for. The goal is to ensure your content is helpful and worth the time to create.
2. Collaborate With Experts: Engage with industry experts or influencers to collaborate on your improved content. Reach out to people with credibility in your industry to help write your content. Their involvement can lend credibility and amplification to your efforts through their networks. Collaborating with experts can also help you create more unique and valuable content.
3. Setting Realistic Goals and Milestones: Establish clear and achievable goals for your skyscraper projects, and track your progress using meaningful milestones. Don’t expect to skyrocket to the top of the search engine results overnight. Set realistic expectations for traffic, backlinks, and engagement. This approach will help maintain focus and motivation throughout the process.

FAQ’s:

What Kind Of Content Is Suitable For The Skyscraper Technique?

The skyscraper technique is effective for various content types, including how-to guides, listicles, and comparison articles.

What is already popular content that would be helpful? The key is to choose a topic where you can create something significantly better than what already exists, providing more value to your target audience.

It’s important to think about how you can build your authoritative content and get quality backlinks.

How Often Should I Update My Skyscraper Content?

Regularly updating your skyscraper content is important to maintain its relevance and effectiveness. It’s essential to keep the information accurate, reflect the latest trends, and improve its overall quality.

It can also improve search engine rankings and gain more organic traffic. The frequency of updates depends on your content and the need for your target audience, but a general rule of thumb is to review and update your content at least every six months to a year.

What Is The Ideal Length For Skyscraper Content?

There isn’t a set-in-stone ideal length for skyscraper content. What is the most helpful?

However, it should be long enough to cover the topic comprehensively and provide unique value. Aim for in-depth content with a high word count (typically 1,500 words or more) to surpass existing popular content, but prioritize quality and relevance over quantity.

How Long Does It Typically Take To See Results From The Skyscraper Technique?

The timeline for seeing results from the skyscraper technique varies. It depends on factors like competition for your target keywords, the quality of your content, and the success of your outreach emails.

Results can range from a few weeks to several months. It is important to note that you should create high-quality content, be patient, and be willing to adapt your approach based on the data you gather.

Can The Skyscraper Technique Be Applied To Any Industry?

Yes, the skyscraper technique can be applied to any industry. It would be a good idea to consider the fact that many industries have different outreach content than others.

Also, your target audience is always unique and different. The core principles of finding relevant content, creating better content, and promoting it to the right people can be adapted to any niche.

What Are The Key Metrics To Measure The Success Of The Skyscraper Technique?

Several key metrics can help you measure the success of the skyscraper technique, including:

• Organic Traffic: Is your content attracting more visitors from search engines?
• Search Engine Rankings: Are your rankings improving for your target keywords?
• Number Of Backlinks: How many new quality backlinks have you acquired?
• Social Shares: Is your content being shared and discussed on social media?
• Engagement Metrics: Are visitors spending more time on your page and interacting with your content?

How Can One Ensure Sustained Success With The Skyscraper Technique?

Sustained success with the skyscraper technique requires continuous refinement and innovation.

If you want to continue building quality backlinks and have increased organic traffic, here are some things to note. Regularly revisit and enhance your content to outperform existing content.

Also, remember to build relationships with website owners and keep learning about the SEO and marketing trends.

It would also be beneficial to adapt your approach based on the latest data and best practices. The aim is to build a strong online presence and connect with the right people.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the skyscraper technique remains a valuable link building strategy for boosting organic traffic and improving search rankings.

However, it’s not a magic bullet. Success requires creating truly superior content that offers unique value, conducting personalized email outreach to the right people, and consistently refining your approach based on data and best practices.

If you want to establish authority and bring in new customers, you must adapt it to fit your brand and target audience, focusing on search intent and high-quality content to rise above the competition and stand tall like a tallest skyscraper in the online world.