SaaS link building isn’t what it used to be. Google’s getting smarter, AI is flooding the internet with content, and the old spray-and-pray backlink tactics? Dead in the water.
Today, getting real results means earning links that actually belong — on pages people trust, in places that make sense. You can try doing it all in-house or bring in a SaaS link building agency, but either way, the mission is the same: get seen by the right audience, in the right way.
This article isn’t about shortcuts. It’s about what works now — and how SaaS companies are actually getting it done in 2025.
Let’s break it down.
Why Link Building Is Crucial for SaaS SEO in 2025
For SaaS companies, ranking on Google isn’t just nice to have — it’s the main way people find you. And while your site structure and content matter, they’re not enough. Google still relies heavily on links to figure out which brands are worth trusting.
That’s why link building hasn’t gone away. It’s changed. In 2025, it’s less about stacking links and more about earning ones that make sense — links from relevant sites that actually talk to your audience.
When you work with a good SaaS link building services provider, you’re not buying links — you’re building authority in a space where everyone’s fighting for visibility.
Here’s why links still matter:
- Google needs outside signals to separate strong sites from weak ones;
- AI content is everywhere — real backlinks help prove you’re legit;
- SaaS keywords are brutal to rank for without strong authority;
- A good link profile helps you spend less on ads;
- It protects your site from sudden drops after algorithm updates.
Good content alone doesn’t get you there anymore. You need people linking to it — the right people.
10 SaaS Link Building Strategies That Actually Work
Link building in SaaS isn’t a one-size-fits-all thing. Some tactics still work, others are dead. What matters now is relevance — getting mentioned in places that actually make sense. The goal isn’t just a backlink. It’s visibility, trust, and traffic that converts.
These are the strategies SaaS companies are using in 2025 to get there. No hacks. Just stuff that works.
1. Content-Based Link Building
Write something people actually want to reference. That’s the entire play. Industry reports, technical breakdowns, well-researched guides — anything that teaches, simplifies, or brings new data to the table has a shot.
Once you’ve got something strong, you reach out. Not to everyone. Just to people already linking to similar stuff. If yours is better, they’ll often swap it in.
Key traits:
- Gives people a reason to link;
- Grows over time with promotion;
- Works best with original insight or data.
2. Link Exchanges (Done Right)
You mention someone in your blog, they return the favor later. No spammy swaps, no automated networks — just two teams helping each other out because it makes sense.
This only works if the content fits and the niche overlaps. Do it too often and Google will catch on. But done in moderation, it’s still effective.
Key traits:
- Free, fast, but only if mutual value exists;
- Better with trusted partners;
- Can’t look like a pattern.
3. A > B > C Link Exchange
Think of it as a smarter loop. You link to someone. They link to someone else. That third party links to you. There’s no direct swap, so it’s harder to trace.
It’s not a beginner move — you need people you trust. Agencies and founder groups do this quietly all the time.
Key traits:
- Safer than direct trades;
- Low risk when spaced out;
- Requires coordination and a network.
4. Broken Link Building
Pages break. Tools go offline. Articles disappear. When that happens, you can step in — if you’ve got something relevant to replace the dead link.
Find a broken link, offer your version, make it easy for the editor to plug it in. This works best with evergreen content — checklists, resource lists, tools pages.
Key traits:
- Still white-hat and effective;
- High reply rate if targeted well;
- Only works if your content fits the context.
5. Guest Posting
Forget mass guest post pitches. They don’t work. But if you’ve got actual experience in your space — or a strong point of view — you can get placed on good blogs.
Pitch topics that aren’t generic. Back them up with examples or data. Make life easy for the editor.
Key traits:
- Builds credibility with readers;
- Gives you control over anchor/context;
- Has to offer value — no fluff allowed.
6. Partner and Supplier Links
This one’s often ignored just because it feels too simple. But if you’re already working with partners — integrations, vendors, service providers — there’s a solid chance they have a public-facing page that lists who they work with. Could be a partner directory, a use case, or even a “recommended tools” section.
Most of the time, all it takes is a quick email: “Hey, mind adding us to that list?” No pitch decks, no convincing. You’re already connected — you’re just making it visible.
Key traits:
- Comes from real-world relationships;
- Often lands on high-authority domains;
- Requires zero content creation.
7. Coupon and Deal Site Links
Yes, even SaaS products can play here — especially if you’ve got a limited-time offer, referral bonus, or lifetime deal going. These links aren’t just for traffic; some of the better deal platforms are indexed and pass authority too.
The trick is to filter out the junk. You want curated deal pages, startup promo directories, maybe even a few niche Reddit threads. Throwing yourself at 100 coupon farms won’t get you anything but spam associations.
Key traits:
- Works best for early-stage or B2C SaaS;
- Can bring both backlinks and active users;
- Requires almost no upkeep after posting.
8. Linkable Asset (Tool or Resource)
A lot of SaaS companies build small tools internally — a cost calculator, maybe a setup checklist, or even a benchmarking widget — and never think to publish them. But these tools, even basic ones, can bring in links on autopilot if they actually help someone.
You don’t need to build a whole product. You just need to solve one annoying little problem and make it public. Share it on socials, communities, or with existing customers. If it’s genuinely useful, links will happen — sometimes from people you’ve never heard of.
Here are real examples of linkable tools from SaaS brands:
- Ahrefs’ Free Website Authority Checker – helps users estimate Domain Rating (DR) without needing a paid plan.
- HubSpot’s Email Signature Generator – a simple tool with huge backlink volume.
- CoSchedule’s Headline Analyzer – used by bloggers and content marketers for years.
- Calendly’s Meeting Cost Calculator – lets teams see how much meetings cost in salary time.
- Shopify’s Business Name Generator – supports early-stage entrepreneurs, while quietly earning links.
Key traits:
- Strong long-tail SEO and passive links;
- Doesn’t require blog content to work;
- Can double as a lead-gen hook.
9. HARO & Roundups
You’re not aiming for Forbes. You’re just trying to get quoted on a blog or small publication that’s asking, “What do SaaS founders think about this?” HARO, Terkel, Qwoted — these platforms ask daily questions. You answer, maybe get a quote featured, and usually land a link with it.
There’s not a ton of control, and not every quote gets picked, but it’s a low-effort way to build some trust with Google (and people too). Same goes for roundup-style content — if you can chime in with something that’s not pure fluff, you’ve got a shot.
Key traits:
- Lightweight way to get high-quality links;
- Helps build personal authority too;
- Good for early exposure and credibility.
10. Competitor Link Analysis
Easiest way to figure out where to start? Look at who’s already winning. Use Ahrefs or Semrush and plug in your closest competitors. Where are their backlinks coming from? What’s the format — guest posts, directories, interviews, tools? What could you do better?
You’re not copying. You’re benchmarking. Then you take that list, sort by domain quality and relevance, and build a better version of what they’ve done. It’s not clever, but it works. Frankly, it’s one of the most practical saas link building ideas you can act on right away.
Key traits:
- 100% research-driven;
- Surfaces real, proven link sources;
- Helps you avoid wasting time on guesswork.
Bonus: Community-Driven Content & Forums
These don’t show up in link reports, but they move the needle in quieter ways. If your tool gets casually mentioned in a Hacker News thread or someone links you in a Reddit comment, that’s attention — and sometimes serious traffic — without trying to game anything.
You can’t fake this. But you can participate in these spaces — just show up and be useful. Eventually, someone will mention you, and someone else will link it.
Key traits:
- Doesn’t scale, but builds real trust;
- Useful for early traction and niche visibility;
- Works even without follow-links.
SaaS link building in 2025 isn’t about chasing DR or hoping a freelancer can land magic backlinks. It’s slower. More honest. You’re not tricking Google — you’re showing up in places that already matter to your users.
Pick a few of these. Make them habits. Skip anything that feels forced or overengineered. What works isn’t complicated — it’s just consistent, useful, and tied to real relationships.
Conclusions
Most SaaS companies overthink link building or give up too early. But the truth is, you don’t need to reinvent the wheel. The hardest part is sticking with a few solid tactics and doing them well over time — not just for a week or two.
Some teams handle everything in-house. Others work with trusted SaaS link building companies to save time and scale faster. Either way, the outcome depends on focus. Not tricks. Not volume. Just showing up in the right places, with the right message, over and over.
If you’re consistent — if you build for users, not just search engines — the results come. Links. Traffic. Rankings. And ideally, customers who trust you before they even hit your site.
