What is the Skyscraper Technique? 2025 Insights

What is the Skyscraper Technique? 2025 Insights

If you have spent much time around digital marketing or search engine optimisation, chances are you’ve heard whispers about a strategy called the “skyscraper technique.” It’s a method that’s not just survived the changing tides of Google’s algorithms, but continues to gain the respect of marketers, business owners, bloggers, and agencies who consistently seek serious wins in traffic, backlinks, and authority.

At its core, this approach is about creating content that’s taller, stronger, and more impressive than anything else standing in your chosen topic area. Rather than simply starting from scratch or shooting in the dark, it’s like looking at the tallest building on the skyline, inspecting its architecture, and then setting out to construct something that not only stands out but truly entices people to visit.

 

 

Laying the Foundations: How the Technique Works

So, what does the skyscraper technique really involve? Brian Dean of Backlinko first popularised this concept, with a process that’s built around three clear steps:

1. Find link-worthy content: Start by identifying top-performing content in your niche — the pieces that draw in loads of backlinks and sit pretty at the top of search results.
2. Make something better: Take the best of what’s out there and dramatically improve on it. Add more depth, fresh data, unique perspectives, visual enhancements, and address any gaps the original might have missed.
3. Reach out: Once your content is live, it’s time to connect. Get in touch with those who linked to the original, and give them a genuine reason to consider swapping their link to your new, superior resource.

Though it sounds straightforward, pulling this off takes a sharp eye, creativity, and commitment to real value for the end reader.

 

Image Source: Ahrefs

 

Why It Works: The Psychology Behind the Skyscraper

There’s a reason why taller buildings attract attention. The same principle applies to content. The skyscraper technique taps into several psychological responses:

• Novelty bias: People are drawn to what’s new, improved, or offers a novel twist.
• Authority building: The best resource in a niche earns a reputation as the go-to source.
• Effort recognition: People appreciate obvious investment — if your article is longer, more detailed, easier to read, and better designed, the effort shines through.

This technique goes beyond just more words or images. It’s about quality, originality, and usefulness — taking what’s worked before and giving it a genuine upgrade.

 

 

Content Creation in the Skyscraper Technique

Effective content creation is the heart of the Skyscraper Technique. To outperform your competitors and attract valuable backlinks, you must go beyond simply rewriting existing material—you need to deliver content that is more comprehensive, insightful, and engaging.

 

Research: Laying the Foundation

Start by identifying top-performing content in your niche. Use tools like Ahrefs Content Explorer, SEMrush, or BuzzSumo to find articles with high backlink counts and strong engagement. Analyse these pieces to understand what makes them successful: depth, structure, visuals, or unique insights.

Next, look for gaps or areas where the existing content falls short. Are there outdated statistics, missing examples, or unanswered questions? Gather data, expert opinions, and recent developments to ensure your content is both accurate and current.

 

Planning: Structuring for Success

Outline your content with the goal of delivering more value than any competitor. Consider:

• Expanding on subtopics that others only mention briefly.
• Adding actionable tips, case studies, or original research.
• Incorporating multimedia elements like infographics, videos, or interactive tools to enhance user experience.

A well-structured outline ensures your final piece is logical, easy to navigate, and comprehensive.

 

Production: Creating High-Value Content

As you write, focus on clarity, depth, and originality. Use a confident, authoritative tone and back up claims with credible sources. Make your content visually appealing with clear headings, bullet points, and relevant images.

After drafting, refine your work by editing for readability and accuracy. Tools like Grammarly, Hemingway Editor, and SurferSEO can help polish your writing and optimise it for search engines.

 

Essential Tools and Resources

• Ahrefs Content Explorer: Discover top-performing content and backlink opportunities.
• SEMrush/BuzzSumo: Analyse competitors and trending topics.
• Grammarly/Hemingway Editor: Improve clarity and readability.
• Canva/Venngage: Create custom graphics and infographics.
• Google Scholar/Statista: Source reliable data and research.

By investing in thorough research, strategic planning, and high-quality production, you’ll create skyscraper content that not only ranks higher but also earns the trust and links of your target audience.

Here is a checklist for you when you peforming skyscraper technique:

 

 

 

Key Advantages That Set It Apart

While there are countless SEO tactics floating around, the skyscraper technique remains popular because it tackles several objectives at once:

• Increases organic search traffic
• Attracts high-quality, relevant backlinks
• Bolsters brand authority and trust
• Often leads to more shares on social networks
• Improves the utility and completeness of information for readers

Arguably, the biggest draw is how it flips the classic ‘trial and error’ model. Instead, you’re betting on content that’s proven to generate attention, then stacking your efforts on a strong foundation.

 

 

Building Site Authority with the Skyscraper Technique

The Skyscraper Technique is not just about earning backlinks or boosting traffic—it’s a powerful engine for building lasting site authority. When you consistently produce high-quality, link-worthy content, you signal to both users and search engines that your website is a trusted resource in your field.

 

The Link Between Content, Backlinks, and Domain Authority

High-quality content is the cornerstone of authority. When your articles offer unique insights, comprehensive coverage, and real value, other reputable sites are more likely to reference and link to your work. Each relevant backlink acts as a vote of confidence, increasing your domain’s perceived trustworthiness in the eyes of search engines.

As your backlink profile grows, so does your domain authority. This, in turn, makes it easier for all your content—new and old—to rank higher in search results, creating a virtuous cycle of visibility and influence.

 

Sustaining and Growing Your Authority

Building authority is not a one-off achievement; it requires ongoing effort and strategy. Here’s how to keep your momentum:

• Regularly update your skyscraper content to ensure it remains the best resource available.
• Diversify your content formats—incorporate videos, infographics, and expert interviews to appeal to a broader audience.
• Engage in authentic outreach and relationship-building with other authoritative sites in your niche.
• Monitor your backlink profile for quality and relevance, disavowing any spammy links that could harm your reputation.
• Leverage internal linking to distribute authority across your site, helping new pages gain traction faster.

By making authority-building a core part of your content strategy, you’ll not only achieve higher rankings but also earn the trust and loyalty of your audience for the long term.

 

 

Step-By-Step: Building Your Own Skyscraper

Let’s look more closely at each phase with specific actions and tips tailored for today’s competitive landscape.

1. Find the Right Content to Outdo

Before hammer hits nail, you need a blueprint. Some of the tools you might rely on:

• Ahrefs or SEMrush: For finding pages with the most backlinks in your focus area.
• BuzzSumo: To see which content has driven the largest number of shares and engagement.
• Google search: Sometimes the easiest tool is still the best — examine the top-ranking articles for your target keywords.

What defines a good candidate?

• Has plenty of backlinks already
• Is a bit dated or thin (room for improvement)
• Sits on an authoritative domain, showing proven appeal

 

2. Take it Up a Level

Once you have a target, it’s all about improvement. Here’s how you might do it:

Weakness in Original Content	How to Improve
Outdated stats or info	Add the latest research and data
Poor visual layout	Include infographics, diagrams, images
Limited depth or shallow coverage	Go broader, include examples and case studies
Missed key subtopics	Answer questions the original ignores
Dry or technical writing style	Make it engaging and easy to follow

Beyond fixing gaps, consider adding multimedia — video guides, downloadable resources, or interactive tools. In a climate where attention is fleeting, every extra value-add can help.

 

3. Reaching Out to Linkers

This is where many stumble. The skyscraper technique is not just about emailing everyone you can find. A personalised outreach, showing genuine awareness of who you’re contacting and why your work sets a new standard, goes a long way.

Some best practice reminders:

• Reference how you came across their previous link
• Highlight what makes your content different or better
• Offer something useful for their audience, rather than asking for a favour

Even with great content, outreach must be intelligent, ethical, and respectful. Spammy or generic emails won’t cut it.

 

 

Challenges and Pitfalls

While it offers a blueprint for standout content, the skyscraper technique also comes with some traps to be wary of:

• Quality over quantity: Doubling word count isn’t enough. Depth and originality matter much more.
• Risk of copycatting: Inspiration is great, but avoid mere imitation. Google is getting better at analysing genuine value versus “rehash” jobs.
• Link building fatigue: Some site owners get tired of constant outreach. Personalisation and genuine relationship-building are needed more than ever.

 

 

When to Opt for This Strategy?

The skyscraper technique shines brightest when:

• The topic is evergreen but current resources are weak
• There’s data showing that certain articles in your industry draw lots of links
• You have solid research, expert input, and unique insights to contribute

It’s less effective for brand-new topics or areas where little existing content is available. In those cases, a more creative or news-driven approach might be better.

 

 

Combining Tools and Techniques

The most effective resources aren’t built in isolation. A seasoned marketer will often blend the skyscraper approach with:

• Content refreshes: Keeping your evergreen articles up to date
• Topic clustering: Creating a hub-and-spoke structure around a central topic
• Expert roundups: Incorporating insight from authorities in your space

This approach can also feed into social media and email marketing, amplifying reach.

 

 

Adapting the Skyscraper Technique for Your Market

The skyscraper technique offers significant potential for businesses and publications aiming to stand out in their respective markets. In many industries, there is a shortage of high-quality content that addresses unique challenges, regulations, or cultural nuances. By creating resources that speak directly to the needs and interests of your target audience, you can surpass competitors who may overlook these important details.

Media outlets and business owners are often especially responsive to content that delivers genuine value or showcases relevant success stories. By focusing on quality and relevance, you position your brand as a trusted authority—no matter where your audience is located.

 

 

Measuring Success

How will you know if all the extra effort pays off? Set clear benchmarks before you begin. Some common metrics include:

• Number of new referring domains and backlinks
• Growth in organic search traffic to the page
• Improvements in rankings for target keywords
• Social shares and direct engagement
• Quality of new business leads or enquiries

Keep tracking over the long term, as great skyscraper content often gains momentum months after publication.

 

 

Impact on SERPs: Climbing the Search Engine Rankings

One of the most compelling reasons to invest in the Skyscraper Technique is its proven ability to boost your position in the search engine results pages (SERPs). By creating content that is more comprehensive, authoritative, and engaging than what currently ranks, you position your page to leapfrog competitors and capture valuable organic traffic.

 

Before-and-After: Real-World Results

Consider a scenario where a website’s original article ranked on page two for a competitive keyword. After applying the Skyscraper Technique—updating statistics, adding expert commentary, and improving visuals—the new version steadily climbed to the top three positions within a few months. This upward movement is not uncommon, especially when the content genuinely addresses user intent and fills gaps left by existing resources.

 

Tracking Your SERP Progress

To measure the impact of your skyscraper content, use tools like Google Search Console, Ahrefs, or SEMrush to monitor keyword rankings over time. Track the following metrics:

• Changes in position for your target keywords
• Increases in impressions and clicks from organic search
• Growth in the number of featured snippets or rich results

Set benchmarks before publishing your improved content, then compare performance at regular intervals—such as 30, 60, and 90 days post-launch. This data-driven approach helps you refine your strategy and demonstrates the tangible ROI of your skyscraper efforts.

 

 

Standing Out for 2025 and Beyond

What separates a good skyscraper article from an outstanding one isn’t just sheer volume or a barrage of bullet points. It’s an honest, creative answer to what readers still want or need, long after they’ve clicked away from the competition.

In a world saturated with content, there’s still room for standouts: resources that are helpful, memorable, and worth recommending. Those are the ones that get real links, real traffic, and real loyalty — and that’s what the skyscraper technique is all about.