Local SEO is more than just having a physical address—it’s about proving your local relevance and authority. In 2025, 46% of all Google searches have local intent, and 42% of users click on results in the Google Maps Pack (thehoth.com, backlinko.com). Meanwhile, when people search on their smartphones, 76% visit a business within a day, and 28% end up making a purchase .
This means your local presence must not only be visible—but trusted and relevant, too. One of the best ways to build that trust is through local backlinks—links from websites that are tied to your location or community.
According to Seobility, local backlinks are the second most important local ranking factor, ranking just behind on-page signals and your Google Business Profile (GBP) (seobility.net). Unlike generic links, local links tell Google you’re important in your specific area.
This guide explores:
- What local link building means
- Why it matters
- How to plan and execute it
- Tactics and real-life examples
Let’s dive in.
1. What Is Local Link Building?
Local link building means earning backlinks from websites that are both geographically or community-relevant to your business. These include:
- Local news outlets, blogs, and event pages
- Community organizations and associations
- Nearby business directories or partner sites
- School and nonprofit websites
Such links signal to Google that you’re valuable in your local area, helping boost your rankings in the local 3-Pack and organic search results (seobility.net, youtube.com, whitespark.ca, rankomedia.com, thehoth.com).
2. Why Local Links Matter
a. Ranking Power
Backlinks are still a major ranking signal. Seobility data shows local links are second only to GBP/on-page in local search (seobility.net). In global terms, backlinks account for around 14% of ranking strength, but local links amplify that strength within your community.
b. Community Credibility
Local backlinks often come from real partnerships, events, or sponsorships. These are like public endorsements that elevate your status both online and offline.
c. Real Visitor Referrals
Local backlinks aren’t just for Google—they bring real traffic. Someone exploring community events, reading blogs, or checking directories might follow your link and visit your business.
d. Strengthened Industry Position
Being featured in local media, directories, or niche guides positions you as a trusted resource in your area—useful for both customers and broader marketing.
3. Research & Plan Your Strategy
a. Identify Local Sites
List out:
- Local newspapers and community blogs
- Nonprofits, schools, sports teams
- Chambers of commerce or industry associations
- Nearby complementary businesses
These are prime targets for genuine partnerships and high-value links.
b. Set Clear Goals
Define SMART goals:
- Specific: e.g., “Earn 10 backlinks from local high-authority domains”
- Measurable: Use tools like Ahrefs or Moz
- Achievable: Choose realistic targets based on your community
- Relevant: Focus on sites that reach your audience
- Time-Bound: For example, “within 6 months”
c. Audit Existing Backlinks
Use SEO tools to see:
- How many local links you already have
- Site authority of those sources
- Any broken or low-quality links to disavow
Your aim is to build quality, not quantity.
4. Proven Local Link-Building Tactics
1. Sponsor Events or Teams
Sponsoring local events or sports teams usually includes:
- A logo and link on event/partner website
- Credibility from being featured on nonprofit or school pages
2. Apply for Local Awards or Directories
Even nominations can earn links when listed. Use reputable local directories or honor rolls.
3. Create Local Content
Write guest posts or guides for community blogs (“Best cafés in Phnom Penh”) and link back to your site.
4. Offer Expert Insights to Local Media
Reach out to journalists or local publications—offer expert quotes or articles. Include your business link in author bios or resource sections.
5. Partner with Complementary Businesses
Collaborate on events or special offers. Partners often list co-promotions on their websites with a backlink.
6. Provide Testimonials
Write testimonials for trusted vendors—many display these with a link back to your site.
7. Host Workshops or Webinars
Promote local events—community calendars and partner sites often link to the registration page or your homepage.
8. Issue Local Press Releases
Newsworthy events (e.g., expansions or community initiatives) can get picked up by local outlets, generating backlinks and exposure.
5. Monitoring & Maintaining Link Efforts
- Use Ahrefs, SEMrush, Moz, or Google Analytics to monitor new backlinks and referral traffic
- Set up Google Alerts for your business name or local campaigns
- Track each link’s status, quality, and date in a spreadsheet
- Check monthly for new additions and quarterly for broken links or outdated sources
6. Pitfalls to Avoid
Low-Quality or Irrelevant Links
Stay away from sources that Google might deem spammy—like link farms or unrelated industries.
Focusing Only on Nofollow
Nofollow links won’t pass SEO authority, but they do bring real referral traffic. Aim for a mix.
Paid Links Without Disclosure
Paid link schemes are against Google’s rules. Always disclose sponsorships clearly (e.g., “sponsored by”).
Ignoring Local Relevance
A high-authority link from a distant source is less effective than a medium-authority local link.
7. Local Link Building in 2025 and Beyond
Consistency Over Time
Whitespark ranks review recency among the top 5 local ranking factors in 2025 (thehoth.com, uberall.com, whitespark.ca). That ongoing activity—whether reviews or new local links—signals relevance and helps your rankings.
Diversifying Formats
Podcasts, community videos, interviews, and social features increasingly generate cross-platform mentions and link signals.
Long-Term Community Relationships
Linking is most effective when it’s part of long-standing partnerships, not one-off outreach. Sponsorships, joint events, and local collaboration build trust and repeated link sources.
8. Step-by-Step Local Link Plan
- Research local authority sites and networks
- Choose targets with realistic potential and relevance
- Outreach with clear value (e.g., sponsoring, guest posting)
- Execute by providing content, interviews, or support
- Track using monitoring tools and spreadsheet
- Leverage results—promote backlinks and readership
- Repeat and adapt—sponsoring new events, refreshing partnerships
9. Integration With Your Local SEO Ecosystem
Local link building doesn’t work in isolation. It strengthens:
- GBP performance: Backlinks help support your presence in local pack rankings
- On-page relevance: Links reinforce location-specific content
- Citations: Many backlinks also include NAP info and act as citations
- Reviews & Reputation: Local visibility brings more customers and more reviews
- Brand authority: Sponsorship visibility enhances trust and loyalty
Note
In 2025, thriving in local search requires a comprehensive strategy. Local link building remains a critical piece of that puzzle—it builds:
- Local relevance in Google’s eyes
- Community credibility and trust
- Referral traffic from real local audiences
- Sustainable SEO benefits over time
By focusing on real partnerships, community engagement, and ongoing link acquisition, you reinforce your local authority—both with search engines and people.
Start with one tactic, such as sponsoring a nearby event or offering expert commentary, and build momentum from there. Over time, your link profile—and business presence—will grow stronger and more visible.
More Read
References
Backlinko. (2025, April). 24 must-know local SEO statistics for 2025. Backlinko. https://backlinko.com/local-seo‑stats
Seobility. (2025, March). Local link building: 12 ways to grow your search presence. Seobility. https://www.seobility.net/en/blog/local-link-building/
Whitespark. (2025, April 30). The most underrated local ranking factor in 2025. Whitespark. https://whitespark.ca/blog/the-most-underrated-local-ranking-factor-in-2025/
Wikipedia. (2025, March). Location search optimization. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Location_search_optimization
