A link-building tactic: create better content than top-ranking competitors and outreach for backlinks.
I know the frustration of writing great content only to see a weaker competitor outrank you because they have more links.
I am going to let you in on the most effective, strategic way to earn high-quality backlinks and shoot your pages to the top of Google.
I call it the ultimate content upgrade, and it is the key to dominating your niche and finally getting the traffic you deserve.
What is Skyscraper Technique? The Link-Building Blueprint
Let us look at the core of the strategy: What is Skyscraper Technique? It is a link-building method where I find popular content with lots of links, create a much better version of it, and ask people to link to mine instead.
I am essentially finding the tallest “skyscraper” in the search results and building an even taller, more impressive one right next to it.
The process is simple: find a link-worthy piece, make it 10 times better, and then promote it to the right people.
Skyscraper Technique Across CMS Platforms
The content creation step of the Skyscraper Technique needs to be executed flawlessly on my chosen platform.
WordPress (WP)
WordPress is excellent for the Skyscraper Technique because I can easily manage the massive content and media files.
I use plugins to ensure my long, feature-rich articles are structured with clear headings and a table of contents for a great user experience.
I also rely on my SEO plugin to perfect the on-page elements, such as the meta description and title tag, before my outreach begins.
Shopify
For Shopify, I apply the Skyscraper Technique to buyer guides or ultimate resource pages about a product category.
I make sure my improved content is not just text but includes high-quality product photos and comparison charts that are visually stunning.
The speed and mobile-friendliness of my theme are vital since my long content must load fast for shoppers.
Wix
Wix makes the visual improvement step easier because I can create beautiful, media-rich layouts quickly.
I focus on adding unique, custom graphics and interactive elements that make my content superior to the competitor’s simple text.
The content editor helps me structure my long-form guide clearly, using short paragraphs and bullet points for high readability.
Webflow
Webflow is the perfect tool for the Skyscraper Technique because I can build truly unique, visually custom pages.
I use custom code to make my skyscraper content more interactive, such as adding custom charts or a unique tool inside the article.
This level of design superiority makes my outreach pitch much more compelling to link prospects.
Custom CMS
When working on a custom CMS, I ensure that my developers create a flexible template specifically for my long, pillar-style content.
I program my pages to feature custom fields for citing new statistics, which helps me keep the content fresh for years.
The core advantage here is I control the server, so I can guarantee the perfect load speed for my heavy, high-value content.
Skyscraper Application by Industry
I tailor the “better” part of the technique to meet the specific needs of each industry’s audience.
Ecommerce
I use the Skyscraper Technique to create the absolute best “Ultimate Buying Guides” for my product categories.
I go beyond the competition by including a comparison table, product videos, and real customer reviews with every product suggestion.
The goal is to be the single, trustworthy resource a customer needs before they make a purchase.
Local Businesses
I use this strategy to build the most comprehensive local resource, such as “The Definitive Guide to Home Renovation in [City Name].”
My content must be better by featuring local data, including local permit information, and showcasing my team’s local expertise with pictures.
This localized content attracts links from local news sites and community pages, which boosts my local SEO greatly.
SaaS (Software as a Service)
For SaaS, I aim to create the most in-depth, original research and trend reports related to my software’s niche.
I include fresh, unique data from my own customer base or a proprietary survey, which makes the content truly unique.
This exclusive data is a magnet for links from major industry news outlets and academic publications.
Blogs
The Skyscraper Technique works perfectly for blogs, where I find popular “listicles” or “how-to” posts to improve upon.
I update all the statistics in the competitor’s article, add more actionable tips, and create a custom infographic to summarize the points.
My focus is on providing a superior experience that readers will naturally want to share and link to.
FAQ Section: Your Quick Skyscraper Answers
Does the Skyscraper Technique still work today?
Yes, but it must be applied correctly: do not just make content longer, make it genuinely better by adding new data or unique insights.
The outreach step also needs to be personalized, explaining exactly why your new content is a better link for them.
What is the most important part of the technique?
The most important part is the “better” content step—your piece must be so superior that link prospects feel foolish linking to the old one.
A mediocre article, no matter how much I promote it, will never earn those high-quality links.
Is the Skyscraper Technique only for link building?
While the goal is to earn backlinks, this process also forces me to create the most authoritative content possible on a topic.
This high-quality, in-depth content naturally ranks better, which brings me more organic traffic over time.
How do I find the content I should beat?
I use SEO tools to find competitor pages that have a large number of referring domains (websites linking to them).
I then look for pages that are outdated, lack visuals, or do not cover the topic comprehensively.
