How to Steal Your Competitors' Backlinks Using the Skyscraper Technique

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Backlinks remain one of the strongest ranking factors in SEO. Yet most website owners spend countless hours creating content and then wonder why nobody links to it.

The truth is that earning backlinks is often easier when you start with content that already attracts links.

That's where the Skyscraper Technique comes in.

Originally popularized by SEO expert Brian Dean, the Skyscraper Technique is a simple process:

1. Find content that already ranks and attracts backlinks.

2. Create a significantly better version.

3. Reach out to the websites linking to the original.

4. Suggest your improved resource as an alternative.

Done correctly, this strategy can generate high-quality backlinks, improve search rankings, and increase organic traffic.

Let's walk through the process step by step.

What Is the Skyscraper Technique?

Imagine two buildings side by side. One is 20 stories tall. The other is 50 stories tall. Which one gets noticed?

The taller one.

The same principle applies to content. If an article ranking on page one is attracting links, you can create a more comprehensive, useful, and up-to-date version that becomes the obvious resource people want to reference.

The goal isn't to copy your competitor. The goal is to outperform them.

Step 1: Find Content Your Competitors Rank for on Page One

Start by identifying keywords where your competitors already rank well.

Tools that can help include:

• Ahrefs

• Semrush

• Moz

• Ubersuggest

• Google Search

Look for content that:

• Ranks in the top 10 results

• Has a significant number of backlinks

• Targets keywords relevant to your niche

• Has demonstrated authority

For example, if you run a woodworking website, you might discover that a competitor ranks for:

• Beginner woodworking projects

• DIY workbench plans

• Woodworking tools for beginners

These are ideal opportunities because Google has already shown that users are searching for these topics.

Pro Tip

Prioritize pages with both:

• Strong rankings

• Lots of referring domains

A page with 200 backlinks presents a much larger opportunity than a page with only five.

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Step 2: Analyze the Existing Content for Weaknesses

Next, read the article carefully.

Don't just skim it.

Your mission is to find gaps.

Ask yourself:

Is the Information Outdated?

Many articles rank for years without being updated.

Look for:

• Old statistics

• Broken links

• Obsolete tools

• Outdated screenshots

Are the Answers Too Shallow?

Many ranking articles only scratch the surface.

Examples:

• Short explanations

• Missing tutorials

• Lack of actionable advice

Are Examples Missing?

Readers love examples.

Ask:

• Could screenshots help?

• Would photos improve understanding?

• Could a case study strengthen the article?

Is There Original Data?

Data-driven content attracts links naturally.

Consider adding:

• Surveys

• Industry statistics

• Original research

• Personal experiments

Are Important Questions Unanswered?

Review:

• Google People Also Ask

• Related searches

• Reddit discussions

• Industry forums

You can often identify additional sections that competitors missed entirely.

Step 3: Create a Better Resource

This is the most important step.

Your content must genuinely deserve links.

Simply making an article longer is not enough.

Focus on making it:

More Comprehensive

Cover the topic from start to finish.

If the competitor has 10 tips, include 20.

If they cover basics, include advanced techniques.

Easier to Read

Improve formatting:

• Short paragraphs

• Clear headings

• Bullet points

• Tables

• Visuals

More Current

Update:

• Statistics

• Examples

• Screenshots

• Recommendations

More Useful

Include:

• Templates

• Checklists

• Downloadable resources

• Tools

• Step-by-step instructions

The goal is to create the resource that users would choose if both pages appeared side by side.

Step 4: Find Everyone Linking to the Original Article

Once your content is published, it's time to identify potential link prospects.

SEO tools like Ahrefs and Semrush can show you:

• Referring domains

• Individual backlinks

• Anchor text

• Linking pages

Export the backlink list.

Then review each linking page.

You're looking for:

• Bloggers

• Resource pages

• Industry publications

• Editors

• Journalists

• Educational websites

Create a spreadsheet containing:

• Website name

• Contact name

• Email address

• LinkedIn profile

• Page linking to competitor

• Notes

The more organized your outreach process, the better your results.

Step 5: Reach Out With a Better Alternative

Now comes the outreach phase.

The key is personalization.

Don't send mass emails.

Instead, reference the specific page where they linked to your competitor.

Example Outreach Email

Subject: Resource Update for Your Article

Hi [Name],

I was reading your article on [Topic] and noticed you linked to [Competitor Article].

I recently published a more up-to-date resource covering the same topic. It includes:

• Updated statistics

• Additional examples

• Step-by-step instructions

• New research

You can check it out here:

[Your URL]

If you think it would be valuable to your readers, it may be worth considering as an additional resource.

Thanks for your time,

[Your Name]

LinkedIn Outreach

LinkedIn can be especially effective for:

• Editors

• Journalists

• Marketing managers

• Content managers

Keep messages brief and professional.

Focus on how your resource benefits their audience.

Why the Skyscraper Technique Works

The psychology behind the strategy is simple.

The linking website has already demonstrated interest in the topic.

They have already linked to similar content.

You're not asking them to link to something unrelated.

You're offering a potentially better resource that improves their article.

This dramatically increases your chances of earning a backlink compared to cold outreach.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Creating Content That's Only Slightly Better

A small improvement rarely motivates someone to change a link.

Aim for a significant upgrade.

Mass email templates usually fail.

Personalization matters.

Some of the best backlinks come from long-term relationships with publishers and bloggers.

Ten relevant backlinks often outperform hundreds of low-quality links.

The Skyscraper Technique remains one of the most effective link-building strategies because it combines three powerful SEO principles:

1. Proven content demand.

2. Superior content creation.

3. Targeted outreach.

Instead of guessing what people want to link to, you're using existing backlink data to identify proven opportunities.

Find what already works, build something better, and put it in front of the people most likely to care.

That's how you turn your competitors' backlink profile into your next SEO growth opportunity.