---
title: "Skyscraper Technique"
description: "The Skyscraper Technique is a link building strategy that involves finding popular content with many backlinks, creating a significantly better version, and reaching out to sites linking to the original to earn links."
category: "Content Strategy"
date: "2026-03-05"
url: "https://getbeast.io/glossary/skyscraper-technique/"
type: "glossary"
---

# Skyscraper Technique

**Category:** Content Strategy | **Updated:** 2026-03-05

The Skyscraper Technique is a link building strategy that involves finding popular content with many backlinks, creating a significantly better version, and reaching out to sites linking to the original to earn links.

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## What Is the Skyscraper Technique?
The Skyscraper Technique, coined by Brian Dean of Backlinko, is a three-step link building strategy: **1) Find** content in your niche that has earned many backlinks, **2) Create** something significantly better (more comprehensive, more current, better designed, more data-driven), and **3) Reach out** to the sites linking to the original content and let them know about your superior version. The name comes from the principle that people are drawn to the tallest building — the best resource.

## Why the Skyscraper Technique Works
It works because it targets **proven demand** — the original content already demonstrated that people are willing to link to that topic. Your improved version gives linkers a reason to update their links or add yours alongside. The technique combines content marketing with active outreach, generating both rankings and backlinks. It's particularly effective for data-driven content, comprehensive guides, and definitive resource pages.

## How to Execute the Skyscraper Technique
Use Ahrefs or Semrush to find high-linked content in your niche (filter by referring domains). Analyze what makes the content link-worthy and how to improve it: add original data, update statistics, improve design, expand coverage, add examples. Create your improved version. Use Ahrefs/Moz to find sites linking to the original. Craft personalized outreach emails explaining why your resource is more valuable. Expect a 5-10% success rate on outreach.

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## Related Terms

- [Link Building](/glossary/link-building/)
- [Backlink](/glossary/backlink/)
- [Content Marketing](/glossary/content-marketing/)
- [Topical Authority](/glossary/topical-authority/)
- [Domain Authority](/glossary/domain-authority/)


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*Part of the [GetBeast SEO Glossary](/glossary/). Visit [GetBeast.io](https://getbeast.io) for professional SEO and log analysis tools.*