When it comes to local SEO, backlinks are just as critical as for national or global rankings — maybe even more so. But in the local context, it’s not about the quantity of links. It’s about the location and relevance of those links to your business area.
Whether you’re a local café, accountant or contractor, the right local SEO link building strategy can elevate your visibility in Google Maps, Local Pack and organic results.
Let’s dive into how local businesses can earn quality backlinks that drive traffic, improve rankings and attract real customers.
Why Local Link Building Matters
Google uses backlinks to determine trust and relevance — and for local SEO, the key is to earn links from sources that are geographically or community relevant.
Here’s what local backlinks do:
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Improve visibility in local search results
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Increase domain authority within your niche
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Signal local credibility to Google
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Drive referral traffic from local sources
A good link building and SEO service knows this — and tailors your campaign accordingly.
Top Local Link Building Strategies
1. Get Listed on Local Directories & Citations
Start with the basics: make sure your business is listed on relevant, high-authority directories.
Must-haves:
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Google Business Profile
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Yelp
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Bing Places
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Apple Maps
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Yellow Pages
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Industry-specific directories (e.g., Zocdoc for doctors, Houzz for contractors)
Ensure consistency in your NAP (Name, Address, Phone) across every listing.
2. Partner with Local Blogs & Influencers
Build relationships with:
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Local lifestyle blogs
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Community news outlets
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Food & travel bloggers (for restaurants/hospitality)
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Local YouTubers and social media influencers
Offer them value — a story, a review, a giveaway — and suggest a backlink in return.
3. Sponsor Local Events, Teams or Charities
Most local sponsorships come with a backlink on the event or organisation’s site.
Examples:
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Youth sports teams
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Local festivals or parades
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Charity drives
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Meetup groups
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School fundraisers
It’s great PR and a great link.
4. Submit Guest Posts to Local Sites
Look for:
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Local newspapers or online news outlets
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University or city blogs
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Local chamber of commerce websites
Pitch stories relevant to your community and include a backlink in your author bio or within the content.
5. Leverage Local Business Associations
Join groups like:
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Chamber of Commerce
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Local BNI chapters
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Business improvement districts (BIDs)
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Trade organisations or guilds
These often come with member directories or profile pages where you can earn a valuable backlink.
Bonus Tips for Local Link Success
✅ Host a community event and create a page for it on your site — then share it with local blogs
✅ Create “Best Of” lists (e.g., “Top 5 Local Cafés”) and tag featured businesses
✅ Write local case studies or customer success stories and encourage sharing
✅ Collaborate with complementary local businesses for cross-linking
Conclusion
Local SEO link building doesn’t require hundreds of backlinks — just the right ones. Focus on relevance, location and relationship-building to earn links that Google trusts and local customers will follow.
By combining smart tools, real-world connections and thoughtful outreach, your local business can rise to the top of local search.