The most sustainable link building strategy is creating content so valuable that other websites naturally want to link to it. These "linkable assets" become permanent sources of backlinks, generating links for months or years after publication with minimal ongoing effort.
But not all content is equally linkable. Some formats and approaches consistently outperform others in attracting backlinks. This guide explores 15 proven content types that naturally attract links, along with practical tips for creating each one.
What You Will Learn
Reading Time: 16 minutes | Difficulty: All Levels
- What makes content "linkable"
- 15 proven linkable asset types
- How to create each type effectively
- Promotion strategies for maximum links
- Examples of successful linkable assets
What Makes Content Linkable?
Before diving into specific content types, let us understand what characteristics make content worthy of links:
Unique Value
Contains information not available elsewhere
Citable
Easy to reference in other content
Evergreen
Remains relevant over time
Comprehensive
Covers topic thoroughly
The 15 Most Linkable Content Types
1. Original Research and Studies
Original research is the gold standard of linkable content. When you produce unique data, you become the primary source that everyone else must cite.
How to Create It
- Survey your audience or industry
- Analyze proprietary data you have access to
- Compile and analyze publicly available data
- Run experiments and document results
Link Potential: Very High - Journalists and bloggers constantly need statistics to cite
2. Industry Statistics Pages
A comprehensive collection of industry statistics becomes a go-to reference resource. Bloggers writing about your topic will link to it as a convenient source for data.
How to Create It
- Curate statistics from multiple authoritative sources
- Organize by subtopic or theme
- Update regularly to maintain accuracy
- Include source citations for credibility
Link Potential: High - Everyone needs statistics, few want to gather them
3. Ultimate Guides and Comprehensive Resources
The definitive resource on a topic attracts links from anyone writing about related subjects. Your guide becomes the reference they point readers to for deeper information.
How to Create It
- Cover the topic more thoroughly than any existing resource
- Structure for easy navigation and reference
- Include examples, templates, and actionable steps
- Update regularly to maintain definitiveness
Link Potential: High - Becomes the default reference for the topic
4. Free Tools and Calculators
Interactive tools that solve real problems become must-link resources. Users share them, and bloggers embed or recommend them in relevant content.
Examples
- ROI calculators for your industry
- Assessment or grading tools
- Comparison tools
- Generators (templates, names, ideas)
Link Potential: Very High - Utility drives sharing and embedding
5. Infographics and Visual Data
Well-designed infographics make complex information digestible and shareable. They get embedded in blog posts with attribution links.
Keys to Success
- Base on compelling data or insights
- Invest in professional design
- Make it easy to embed with provided code
- Create multiple sizes for different uses
Link Potential: Medium-High - Depends heavily on design quality and topic
6. Expert Roundups and Interviews
When you feature experts, they naturally share and link to the content. Plus, the diverse perspectives create comprehensive resources.
How to Create It
- Ask specific, thought-provoking questions
- Include 10-20+ experts for comprehensive coverage
- Add your own synthesis and insights
- Make it easy for participants to share
Link Potential: Medium-High - Built-in promotion from participants
7. Case Studies and Success Stories
Detailed case studies with real data and results become reference material for others making similar arguments or teaching similar concepts.
Keys to Success
- Include specific numbers and results
- Document the process step by step
- Be honest about challenges and failures
- Make lessons transferable to other contexts
Link Potential: Medium - Cited as evidence in relevant discussions
8. Definitive Lists and Rankings
Comprehensive lists of resources, tools, or examples become reference guides that others link to rather than recreate.
Examples
- "150+ Tools for [Industry]"
- "The Complete List of [Resources]"
- "Top 50 [Blogs/Influencers/Companies]"
- Annual industry awards or rankings
Link Potential: Medium-High - Those included often link back
9. Templates and Frameworks
Practical templates that people can download and use generate links from those recommending productivity tools and resources.
Types to Create
- Spreadsheet templates
- Document templates
- Process frameworks
- Checklists and cheat sheets
Link Potential: Medium-High - High utility drives sharing
10. Controversy and Contrarian Takes
Strong opinions that challenge conventional wisdom generate discussion and links from both supporters and critics.
Caution
Be prepared to defend your position with evidence. Controversy for its own sake backfires. Your contrarian take must be genuinely reasoned.
Link Potential: Variable - High when done well, risky when done poorly
11. Glossaries and Definitions
Comprehensive glossaries become default references when writers need to explain industry terminology.
How to Create It
- Cover all relevant terms in your niche
- Write clear, accessible definitions
- Include examples where helpful
- Make individual terms easily linkable
Link Potential: Medium - Steady passive links over time
12. Maps and Geographical Data
Visual representations of geographical data are highly shareable and frequently embedded with attribution.
Examples
- "Cost of living by state" maps
- Industry distribution maps
- Comparison maps across regions
- Interactive data maps
Link Potential: High - Visual appeal drives embedding
13. Timeline and History Content
Historical timelines and "evolution of" content becomes reference material for anyone discussing industry history.
Examples
- "The History of [Industry]"
- "How [Technology] Has Evolved"
- "Timeline: Major Events in [Field]"
Link Potential: Medium - Steady educational links
14. Comparison and Versus Content
Detailed comparisons help decision-makers and get referenced in "how to choose" content.
How to Create It
- Be genuinely objective and thorough
- Include clear comparison tables
- Cover multiple comparison criteria
- Update as options change
Link Potential: Medium - Valuable for purchase decisions
15. Awards and Recognition Content
Creating industry awards or recognition lists generates links from those included and those referencing your authority.
Examples
- Annual "Best of" lists
- Industry achievement awards
- "Rising stars" or "ones to watch" lists
Link Potential: Medium-High - Winners promote and link back
Turn Your Content into Links
Great linkable assets need great distribution. Once you have created valuable content, Outreachist can help you get it in front of the right publishers through guest posts and sponsored content that references your assets.
- * Reach publishers in your niche
- * Include contextual links to your content
- * Build awareness of your linkable assets
- * Accelerate organic link acquisition
Promoting Your Linkable Assets
Even the best content needs initial promotion to generate links. Here is how to kickstart your linkable asset:
Outreach to Linkers
Find websites that link to similar content and pitch your resource as a better or complementary alternative.
Social Promotion
Share across social platforms, especially where your target audience (content creators) hangs out.
Expert Seeding
Share with industry experts and influencers who might reference it in their own content.
Guest Posting
Write guest posts on related topics that naturally reference your linkable asset.
Key Takeaways
- Be the source: Original research and data make you the primary citation.
- Solve problems: Tools and templates attract links through pure utility.
- Be comprehensive: Definitive resources become default references.
- Make it visual: Infographics and maps get embedded with attribution.
- Invest upfront: Quality linkable assets require significant initial effort but pay dividends for years.
Conclusion
Linkable assets represent the best long-term investment in link building. While they require more upfront effort than transactional outreach, they generate links passively over time, building your backlink profile without ongoing outreach costs.
Choose a format that matches your resources and expertise. Not every business can produce original research, but every business can create comprehensive guides, useful templates, or valuable lists in their niche.
Start with one linkable asset, promote it effectively, and use it as a foundation for your link building strategy. As it begins generating passive links, reinvest some of those gains into creating your next asset. Over time, you will build a portfolio of linkable content that continuously grows your backlink profile.
About Outreachist
Outreachist is the premier marketplace connecting advertisers with high-quality publishers for guest posts, sponsored content, and link building opportunities. Our platform features thousands of verified websites across every niche, with transparent metrics and secure transactions.
Browse our marketplace | Create a free account | Learn how it works
