Step 1: Pick backlink sources that AI systems actually surface

1.1 Find relevant sources pages

Find pages that are already getting cited for the search queries you’re focusing on.

Additionally, choose pages that focus on one thing clearly, this appeals to publishers by showing your content is accurate and authoritative.

1.2 Map these to your own target pages

Build your list of target URLs:

• 1–2 linkable assets: benchmarks, original data, glossary/definitions, templates, “definitive” guides

• 2–4 commercial pages: feature/solution/comparison pages (these can earn links if they’re genuinely useful)

• 1–2 credibility pages: methodology, security, about, case studies

Match intent to page type:

• “What is X?” → glossary/definition page

• “X vs Y / best X tools” → comparisons, roundups

• “How to do X” → step-by-step guides with checklists

Aim for:

• 5–10 pages chosen

• each page has one primary intent (no topic drift)

Step 2: Upgrade each target page so it earns editorial backlinks

If your page can’t be cleanly extracted or quoted, outreach asks editors to take editorial risk for no reward. Fix the page first.

2.1 Format it for humans and machines

Within the first screen:

• A one-sentence definition (for “what is” pages) or a 2–4 line BLUF (for guides/comparisons)

• A short “Key takeaways” list (tight bullets, not fluffy)

• A visible last-updated date if you’re touching factual stuff

Metaphor: you’re building a loading dock – if the dock is blocked, editors and crawlers don’t unload anything.

2.2 Add “editorial candy” editors want to link to

Add at least one:

• A compact framework with a name

• A numbered checklist that can be quoted verbatim

• A mini case scenario (“If your traffic dropped 20% after…”)

• A methodology snippet (“How we evaluated…”)

Keep it stealable. Editors and writers love content they can paste with minimal editing.

2.3 Make the link target obvious

Each target page should answer one question thoroughly. That means:

• Focused H2s (“How to qualify a backlink prospect” beats “Prospecting”)

• Low redundancy

• Internal links pointing into the page with descriptive anchors (not “click here”)

Google guidance favors descriptive anchor text and crawlable links so crawlers and AI systems can understand linked context.

Review:

• each target page has a definition/BLUF near top

• clean H2 structure + lists

• at least one quotable element (checklist/framework/method)

Step 3: Find backlink opportunities

This is the easy win.

Using an SEO/backlink tool (Telepathic, Ahrefs, Semrush, Moz, etc.):

1. Open the backlinks or links analysis section

2. Review pages where you already have links or mentions

   
   

Backlink types to track:

• Owned (you control)

• Competitor (a competitor links to or is mentioned where you could be)

• Earned (natural, high-quality links)

  
  

Actions to take immediately:

• Reclaim unlinked mentions (ask for the link add)

• Fix broken backlinks (redirect chains, 404s, moved pages)

• Find instances where a competitor is cited but not you

• Find generally relevant articles

• Note patterns: what content gets links, what anchors show up, what topics earn editorial attention

Step 4: Generate high-fit outreach prospects

Find very specific people who might be open to adding you. Use tools to discover pages that already link to similar assets or cover the exact topics you solve.

Find the email address for that person with your SEO software or a tool like RocketReach.

Qualification filters:

• Relevance: same niche or truly adjacent audience

• Placement quality: in-content editorial context, not footer/sidebar dumps

• Credibility: real author pages, editorial standards, topical depth

• Intent match: they already publish about the thing your asset answers

  
  

Build a campaign list:

• 30–80 domains

• Map each prospect to one specific target URL and one pitch type (data citation, broken link replacement, resource add, expert quote)

Common failure mode: chasing raw domain authority with zero topical overlap — looks good in a report, does nothing for AI visibility.

Step 5: Draft outreach that drives backlinks

Use an outreach tool or craft manual emails. Every message should be customized and clearly show value to the editor.

Workflow:

1. Identify the target source domain and the specific page to link from

2. Draft an outreach email (templates + AI can accelerate, but personalize)

3. Customize using the rules below to increase reply and placement rates

   
   

Customization rules that move reply rates:

• First line: reference their page (specific section, heading, or broken link)

• Placement request: “Add as a source in section X” or suggest an exact sentence they can paste

• Reader value: offer an up-to-date stat, clearer definition, or better methodology

• Anchor text: descriptive + natural; avoid exact-match spam patterns

  
  

4 outreach variants worth saving:

• Unlinked brand mention → ask for a linked mention

• Broken link replacement → provide exact replacement link and suggested sentence

• Data citation pitch → offer the data and visual asset (chart/image)

• Expert quote contribution → short, quotable line with attribution

  
  

Verify:

• email includes: exact page, exact insertion point, your URL, and why it improves their content

Step 6: Execute outreach and track progress

Send in controlled batches to maintain deliverability and domain reputation.

Recommended cadence:

• 10–20 emails/day per sender

• Follow-up #1: 3–5 business days

• Follow-up #2: 7–10 business days

  
  

Track in your CRM or sheet:

• Copy of sent email

• Mark as contacted with date

• Update status: replied, negotiated, live link, declined, no response

  
  

Quality control:

• Avoid paid-link language

• don’t demand reciprocal links

• Prefer editorial adds over contributor-account farms

Step 7: Validate link quality immediately

A live backlink isn’t automatically a high-value backlink. Verify:

• Placement: in-body editorial context (bio-only links are weaker)

• Destination: correct canonical URL; no redirect chains

• Accessibility: not blocked by robots, not noindex, not paywalled

• Anchor: descriptive, intent-matching, not spammy

  
  

Capture evidence:

• linking page URL

• date live

• target page

• followed vs nofollow/ugc

Note: for AI discovery, relevant editorial mentions can influence models even if nofollow is used, because models ingest page text and co-citation patterns – but followed, in-content links are still preferable for broader SEO value.

Step 8: Measure impact in GA4 + iterate based on what earns links

Track two things: citation rate and traffic to your target pages. Don’t count number of links alone.

Iteration loop (monthly):

• double down on pitch types that earned links fastest

• build more assets similar to what got backlinks

• refresh prospect lists and run again