How to Build Local Backlinks That Improve Rankings

For small and mid-sized business owners, marketers, and digital agencies focused on enhancing their online presence, the importance of local backlinks cannot be overstated. Whether you're starting a local business, competing in a densely saturated market, or expanding into new locations, building local topical authority can be a game-changer for improving rankings on search engines. This article delves into proven strategies for acquiring high-quality local backlinks, which are essential signals to search engines like Google that your business is an authority in a particular geographic area.

Local backlinks not only improve your visibility for high-intent local searches but can also drive real referral traffic and boost customer engagement. Below, we’ll explore actionable ways to build these links effectively.

Why Local Backlinks Matter for Your Business

Local backlinks are hyperlinks from websites within your geographic area that point to your business’s site. These links signal to search engines that your business is relevant and authoritative in a specific locale, making it more likely for your website to rank higher for location-based searches. For instance, a plumber in Austin would want to appear prominently when users search for "emergency plumber in Austin."

These backlinks play a significant role in building local topical authority, which is essential for:

Attracting high-intent customers searching for your services
Competing effectively in crowded local markets
Expanding into new geographic areas with established credibility

Strategies to Build Local Backlinks for SEO Success

1. Form Strategic Partnerships with Local Businesses

One of the most straightforward and effective ways to build local backlinks is through partnerships with complementary businesses. For instance:

A plumber might partner with a local electrician, creating a mutual recommendation system where each business links to the other.
These partnerships not only generate backlinks but also drive genuine traffic and customer referrals.

Pro Tip: Carefully vet your partner businesses to ensure they maintain high standards. Poor recommendations could harm your brand’s reputation.

2. Leverage Sponsorship Opportunities

Sponsoring local events, organizations, or initiatives can be a fantastic way to acquire backlinks. Use the following steps to identify opportunities:

Conduct a Google search using the query: inurl:sponsors [city name].
Look for sponsorships tied to local nonprofits, events, sports leagues, schools, community associations, or faith-based organizations.

When evaluating sponsorships, prioritize those offering do-follow backlinks, as they pass SEO value to your site. Only accept no-follow links or brand mentions if the sponsorship is likely to generate direct customer traffic or boost brand visibility.

Bonus Tip: Use tools like ChatGPT’s agent mode to automate the search for sponsorships tailored to your business needs. Specify detailed categories like local charities, libraries, or professional associations to generate a comprehensive list of potential opportunities.

3. Utilize Local Citations

Local citations are mentions of your business on online platforms, which often include a link to your website. Here’s where to start:

Core citation platforms: Google Business Profile, Yelp, Facebook, Bing Places, Apple Business Connect, and Better Business Bureau.
Local directories: City-specific directories, Chamber of Commerce websites, and trade associations with local chapters.
Homeowners’ associations: If you offer services tailored to residential needs, being listed on HOA vendor lists can generate valuable backlinks.

Pro Tip: Track your citations in a spreadsheet, including the exact language used in each listing. This will help you revise or reuse these citations when expanding to new locations or niches.

4. Optimize Anchor Text and Contextual Language

The language surrounding your backlinks significantly impacts your SEO performance. Instead of generic anchors (e.g., "click here"), aim for descriptive text that reinforces both your services and location. For example:

"Bob’s Plumbing is a Denver and Austin-based plumbing company offering drain cleaning and water heater repair."
Alternate anchor language slightly across different citations to emphasize both keywords (e.g., "plumbing company") and geographic targets (e.g., "Denver and Austin").

Strong contextual language in your backlinks helps strengthen your topical authority for both your services and your geographic area.

5. Build Location-Specific Hub Pages

If your business operates in multiple locations, creating hub pages for each city is essential. These pages serve as a centralized resource for your local services and make link-building efforts more targeted. For example:

A URL structure like /Austin/drain-cleaning-services organizes all your Austin services under one hub.
This allows you to drive backlinks to a location-specific hub page while supporting child pages underneath it (e.g., "emergency drain cleaning services in Austin").

By concentrating your efforts on these hub pages, you enhance their authority, which trickles down to other pages within that location’s hierarchy.

6. Explore Traditional SEO Link-Building Techniques

Consider established link-building strategies to supplement your local backlinks:

Help a Reporter Out (HARO) and other PR-focused platforms provide opportunities to gain backlinks from media outlets.
Podcasts and guest articles: Platforms like PodcastMatcher.com can connect you with local podcasts where you can share your expertise and earn backlinks in return.

When pursuing these links, always ensure the language around your business aligns with your local SEO goals.

Key Takeaways: Actionable Steps for Building Local Backlinks

Form partnerships with complementary local businesses for mutual referrals and backlinks.
Sponsor local events or organizations, prioritizing do-follow links to maximize SEO value.
Claim citations on key directories like Google Business Profile, Yelp, and trade associations.
Track and refine the language used in your backlinks to optimize for target keywords and locations.
Create hub pages for each location and service to consolidate your SEO efforts for geographic areas.
Use tools like ChatGPT to automate research for sponsorships and partnerships.
Vet all collaborators thoroughly to ensure they enhance your credibility and reputation.

By implementing these strategies, you can establish yourself as a trusted local authority, improve your search engine rankings, and attract high-intent customers within your target location.

Final Thoughts

Building local backlinks is not just about improving your search engine ranking - it’s about fostering genuine connections in your community and driving real value for your customers. Whether you’re a solopreneur just starting out or a business expanding into new markets, these strategies provide a scalable, cost-effective way to enhance your local SEO.

Remember, success in local SEO is a marathon, not a sprint. Consistently apply these practices, track your progress, and adapt to the unique needs of your business and community. By doing so, you’ll position your website - and your business - as a leader in your local market.

Source: "How to Build Local Backlinks That Actually Increase Local Rankings" - Edward Sturm, YouTube, Jan 26, 2026 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z0Iq0yG2sIk