14 Proven Ways to Build Free Backlinks With Semrush (2025 Guide)

Backlinks still guide how Google ranks websites. The challenge is finding high-quality links that are free, relevant, and sustainable. That’s where Semrush helps. It can turn link building into a data-driven process — revealing where your competitors get links, what content earns them, and who might link to you next.

In this post, I share 14 proven ways to build free backlinks using Semrush, from beginner-friendly techniques like fixing broken links to advanced methods like digital PR.

Let us get started,

Disclosure: Your support helps keep the site running! We earn a referral fee for some of the services we recommend on this page.

Table Of Contents

What is Semrush?

Semrush is an all-in-one software for SEO, digital marketing, competitor analysis, and backlink audit. It helps you to detect profitable keywords, create compelling content, identify new link-building opportunities, and much more.

If you are serious about building money-making websites, Semrush is an inevitable tool for you. They have the world’s largest database of 27.5B keywords, 43T backlinks, and 808M domain profiles. 10B URLs are crawled every day to deliver the most recent and accurate data to users.

Learn more: Semrush review

Find your next 100 backlink opportunities

Use Semrush to spot competitor links, analyze anchors, and plan smart outreach.

Try Semrush

14 Ways to Earn Free Backlinks with Semrush

Building backlinks doesn’t always require a budget — it requires strategy. Semrush gives you all the tools to find real opportunities where links can be earned, not bought.

From spotting broken backlinks and competitor gaps to uncovering unlinked brand mentions, each method in this section shows a practical way to get quality links for free.

Use these proven tactics to strengthen your site’s authority, improve rankings, and grow organic traffic without spending on link placements.

1. Replicate Competitor Backlinks

You can find hundreds of backlink opportunities just by studying your competitors. With Semrush’s Backlink Analytics and Backlink Gap, you can see who links to rival domains but not to you. This data reveals what type of content attracts links in your niche — whether it’s guides, tools, or list posts.

Once you identify those linking domains, visit the pages, note why they linked, and reach out with a better or updated resource. You’re not copying; you’re offering something of higher value or freshness.

Action plan:

Enter competitor domain in Backlink Analytics.
Export referring domains with high Authority Scores.
Use Backlink Gap to spot domains linking to competitors but not you.
Craft outreach emails offering improved or updated resources.

2. Broken Link Building

Website owners want to fix broken links quickly. Semrush helps you find them on competitor sites so that you can offer your content as a replacement.

Open Backlink Analytics, enter a competitor domain, and view their indexed or lost pages returning 404 errors. Then, reach out to the sites linking to those dead pages and share your working link. It’s a win-win: they fix their problem, and you gain a quality backlink.

Each dead link represents an opportunity — you can offer your updated or alternative page to gain links. This helps web admins maintain their site quality and gives you a genuine reason to earn a backlink.

Action plan:

Identify competitor domains with 404 or 500 pages.
Use “Backlink Analytics → Indexed Pages → Broken Pages” to find those errors.
Collect referring pages that still link to dead URLs.
Create a similar but improved page and contact site owners to replace the link.

3. Create Link-Magnet Content

Semrush helps you identify which types of content naturally attract backlinks. Use the Indexed Pages tab in Backlink Analytics to find your competitors’ most linked pages.

Study what makes them appealing — data, tools, templates, or insights. Then create an enhanced version using updated data, visuals, or better explanations. This approach helps you gain organic backlinks when others use your work as a reference.

Action plan:

Focus on content formats that attract links (stats, templates, tools).
Keep your assets up-to-date with current data.
Add embed codes for easy sharing and distribution.

4. Claim Unlinked Mentions and Recover Lost Backlinks

Sometimes, other websites mention your brand without adding a link. You can turn these mentions into backlinks using Brand Monitoring in Semrush.

Track brand mentions, filter “without link,” and contact the authors with a short thank-you and a polite request to add the link. You can also use Backlink Analytics to spot lost links and contact those sites for recovery. Both actions require minimal effort yet yield quick wins because the connection already exists.

Action plan:

Reach out to request the addition or restoration of a link.
Set up Brand Monitoring for your brand and product names.
Check weekly for unlinked mentions.
Use Backlink Analytics → Lost to identify dropped backlinks.

5. Resource Page Link Building

Resource pages list helpful tools, guides, and references that helped to create a content. Semrush lets you locate them by analyzing backlinks of your competitors.

In Backlink Analytics, explore referring pages that include words like “resources,” “tools,” or “recommended.” These are ideal spots to earn a link.

Create a resource that adds genuine value — such as an updated guide, dataset, or calculator — and suggest it to the curator of that page. This tactic works well because site owners frequently update their resource lists.

Action plan:

Find competitor resource pages in Backlink Analytics.
Build a resource that fits their theme.
Send a personalized outreach suggesting your link as an addition.

6. Guest Posting with Semrush Prospecting

Guest blogging can also earn you strong editorial backlinks if done right. Semrush’s link building tool makes the process easier by identifying websites that are open to guest contributions.

Enter your target keywords and competitors, then, Semrush generates a list of prospects. You can then pitch topics that are relevant to their audience and include a natural backlink to your site.

Guest posts are most effective when you offer genuine insights rather than promotional content.

Action plan:

Set up a campaign in the Link Building Tool using your niche keywords.
Choose sites that match your audience.
Pitch helpful, data-driven articles.
Track outreach and live links inside the tool.

Clean up toxic backlinks

Spot risky links with Semrush and protect your rankings. Step-by-step screenshots inside.

Read the guide

7. Digital PR and Media Outreach

You can combine PR and link building with Semrush. Start by identifying high-authority media websites through backlink analytics or a link building tool.

Prepare a story or data release that journalists can use, such as a new study or industry trend. Present the link as news, not as a request for a link.

If included, your brand will receive authoritative backlinks from high-level publications. These editorial mentions are the most powerful for SEO.

Action plan:

Research high-authority media sites via Backlink Analytics.
Create a data-driven or trend-based story.
Pitch it to relevant journalists.
Track mentions and links through Brand Monitoring.

8. Survey and Data-Driven Link Building

Fresh data attracts natural backlinks from bloggers, news sites, and analysts. With Semrush’s Keyword Magic Tool and Topic Research, find subjects with outdated statistics.

Run your own survey or compile updated data into a visually appealing report. Then, using Backlink Analytics, identify all domains linking to older versions of those reports and offer them your new version as a citation. It’s one of the most effective ways to earn editorial links even in 2025.

Action Plan:

Identify outdated statistics pages using Backlink Analytics.
Create updated data or visual assets.
Reach out to sites linking to old reports.
Offer your fresh source for citation.

9. Link Recovery Campaigns

Over time, pages get removed or links break. Semrush’s Backlink Audit helps you find lost backlinks. You can sort by “lost” or “broken” and export the affected URLs.

Reach out to web admins explaining the problem and share or redirect your updated page. This process not only restores lost authority but also strengthens relationships with editors who previously linked to you. It’s one of the easiest ways to regain valuable link equity.

Action plan:

Use Backlink Audit → Lost/Broken.
Identify why the link disappeared (page deleted, redirect issue).
Fix or recreate your content.
Request a link update from the referring site.

10. Anchor Text and Profile Optimization

Maintaining a healthy backlink profile keeps your SEO strong. Use the Backlink Audit on Semrush to review your anchor-text distribution and authority mix.

Overly optimized anchor text (e.g., exact keywords) can look unnatural to search engines. Set up future behavior with diverse and natural anchors. You can also use this data to plan internal link structures that balance your overall link profile.

Action plan:

Run Backlink Audit monthly.
Check for spammy or repetitive anchors.
Plan outreach with diverse anchor text.
Track Authority Score trends for domain quality.

11. Build Resource Hubs That Earn Links Passively

A resource hub is a collection of guides, tools, and references around a specific topic. Semrush helps you spot which hubs in your industry attract backlinks through its Indexed Pages feature.

Once you study their structure, build your own version that’s richer and more useful. Share it across relevant communities and list it in resource directories. Over time, others will naturally link to it as a reference page.

Action plan:

Research top competitor resource hubs with Indexed Pages.
Build an all-in-one hub with updated assets.
Share with bloggers and directories for organic backlinks.

Find keywords that convert

Use Semrush to map demand, pick intent, and build topics that win.

See how it’s done

12. Use Backlink Gap for Multi-Competitor Insights

The Backlink Gap tool compares up to five domains at once to uncover linking patterns. It reveals domains that link to several of your competitors but not you. These are highly relevant prospects since they already link within your niche.

Once you spot them, check their content and pitch your page as an additional valuable resource. This approach scales fast because you can generate dozens of qualified link opportunities in a single analysis.

Action plan:

Enter your domain plus four competitor domains in Backlink Gap.
Filter for domains linking to 2+ competitors but not you.
Export and sort by Authority Score.
Plan outreach targeting those domains.

13. Respond to Journalist Requests (HARO-Style)

Semrush’s Brand Monitoring can help you catch mentions or topics journalists are discussing. Pair this with external platforms like HARO or Qwoted to respond to media requests.

When journalists cite your input, they usually link back to your brand. You can monitor those new links inside Semrush afterward. This tactic merges PR and SEO and is highly effective for earning authoritative and relevant backlinks.

Action plan:

Monitor trending topics with Brand Monitoring.
Respond to journalist questions with link outreach platforms.
Track resulting backlinks with Backlink Analytics.

14. Manage Outreach in the Link Building Tool

Semrush’s Link Building Tool works as your campaign CRM. You can collect leads, send outreach, and track replies from one place.

This tool automatically updates link status — active, lost, or broken. It keeps your process organized and scalable as you handle multiple campaigns.

Action plan:

Add keywords and competitors to generate prospects.
Customize outreach templates.
Track live link status and campaign success.

Conclusion

Semrush is an amazing SEO tool for keyword research, competitive analysis, and link building. From finding broken links and unlinked mentions to creating data-driven content and managing outreach, every feature supports smarter link building.

Utilize a combination of these 14 proven Semrush methods, track progress on a weekly basis, and refine your approach based on the results. Over time, you’ll earn backlinks that boost rankings, authority, and visibility — without spending on shady link schemes.

Build Smarter Backlinks with Semrush

Discover where your competitors earn links, track new mentions, and grow authority — all in one powerful toolkit.

Try Semrush Free →

FAQ

What are high DA backlinks?

High DA backlinks are links from websites with a high domain authority (DA), indicating their credibility and influence. They can boost your website’s visibility and search engine rankings.

Why are high DA backlinks important for SEO?

High DA backlinks carry more weight in search engine algorithms, signaling the authority and popularity of your website. They can improve your website’s visibility and organic traffic.

How do you build high-quality backlinks?

These are the best ways to build high DA backlinks for your website.
1. Guest blogging
2. Competitor analysis
3. Broken link building
4. Outreaching
Find authoritative guest blogging sites where you can contribute in exchange for ‘do follow’ links to your site. Create engaging content and interact with readers to build relations and get new link building opportunities.

Competitor analysis is another proven method to earn high-quality backlinks. We have detailed how it works in this post. Keep an eye on your competitor’s SEO strategies to steal backlinks from them. Create more comprehensive content on a similar topic and outreach to referring domains to replace their current links or get new mentions from them.

You can also run a broken link audit on any website to find its broken links and replace them with yours.

Do backlinks increase traffic?

Backlinks help you to increase organic traffic as well as search rankings. At the same time, spammy or low-quality backlinks will hurt your SEO. They may diminish your traffic and sometimes, even lead to Google penalty risks. Therefore, you should focus on link quality rather than a number of backlinks.

Should I focus solely on getting high DA backlinks?

While high DA backlinks are valuable, it’s important to maintain a diverse link profile. Focus on a mix of high DA and relevant, quality backlinks to create a natural and balanced link profile.

How do I approach other websites for backlink opportunities?

When reaching out to other websites, personalize your pitch, highlight the value you can provide, and show genuine interest in their content. Building relationships is crucial for successful outreach.

Are all high DA backlinks equal in value?

Not all high DA backlinks are equal in value. Consider factors like relevance, placement within the content, anchor text optimization, and the authority of the linking page to assess their worth.

Can I buy high DA backlinks?

Buying high DA backlinks is against Google’s guidelines and can result in penalties. It’s best to focus on organic link building strategies and earn backlinks through valuable content and genuine relationships.

How long does it take to see the impact of high DA backlinks on SEO?

The impact of high DA backlinks on SEO can vary. It may take weeks or even months to see noticeable improvements in search engine rankings and organic traffic.

How can I monitor the performance of my high DA backlinks?

Use tools like Google Analytics and Google Search Console to track your website’s organic traffic, search rankings, and the referral traffic from high DA backlinks. Regularly analyze the data and make necessary adjustments.

14 Proven Ways to Build Backlinks With Semrush (Free + Advanced Methods)

What is Semrush?

Find your next 100 backlink opportunities